Mountains

Tweet #winteriscoming and you’ll see it. The fever is catching and backcountry enthusiasts are itching to dust off skis. But, even though the word is out that La Niña is gearing up for another return (read: lots of snow),...

Silas Rossi, IFMGAAs a mountain guide and alpine climber, I spend a lot of time considering the “what if” of a worst-case scenario in the backcountry. While I work diligently on the prevention side of the equation, I’m sure...

There are some that love the rush of careening down a fresh slope, wind blowing against their face, feeling frigid and yet possibly the most free they’ve ever been. ‘The scene would be perfect’, you might say, ‘if not...

In cases of injury, inclement weather or unexpected snow storm, preparedness is key. Eric Whewell, AMGA/IFMGA licensed mountain guide, shows us how to set up an emergency shelter.The Brooks Range Ultralite Guide Tarp is utilized to show that the right shelter...

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow.It was here in mid-November and now it is mostly blown into crusty slabs. Good snow in early winter on the eastern slopes of the Rockies can be a fickle thing....

If you’ve been around the world of alpine skiing or seen a few ski movies during the last thirty years, you’ve probably heard the name Glen Plake at some point in your travels. He and compatriots Scot Schmidt and...

A new study just released suggests that survival times for people buried in avalanches in Canada is significantly lower than those from Switzerland. One of the main reasons is the heavier snow, particularly in maritime-influenced regions.Although this study focused on...

Swarms of skiers are turning the page to backcountry skiing. It’s a natural progression for adventurous souls who don’t want to be limited to the confines of a resort—no matter how big and challenging the terrain may be. Being...

Most of the big climbs I do in the Sierra are thanks to my friend Ian McEleny. He comes up with stupid ideas and I’m dumb enough to join him. Well, payback is a b*tch: When I came up...

For all its beauty and allure, backcountry skiing is no joke. Between the open bowls, sweeping canyons and gladed runs that draw us into the snowy wilds, there is a serious side to leaving the resorts for new adventures....