Jonathan S

So far I’ve used this in the field only a few times plus for a range test, as shown in the picture. I haven’t had time yet to run it through all the various features, especially those highlighted in the Skimo Co listing. But the predecessor model was a longtime favorite of mine, so even the slightest improvements would be an impressive accomplishment. And as shown in the picture, range is pretty much as long as it gets. Not mentioned (qualitatively) in the Skimo Co listing is that the dimensions are n...

Back in the day, specifically, days that were a couple of decades ago, I used the pioneering BD Alpine shovel (don’t bother searching for it, as the model name is too generic to find any relevant hits) with various CAMP alu ice axes. The BD shovel blade neck was designed to accept pretty much any straight-shaft ice axe, and was impressively reinforced such that it was quite solid for any sort of prying action. Aside from the weight savings of skipping a shovel shaft/handle, that was about the best that ...

I have a 169cm pair mounted with Hagan Ultra race bindings for La Sportiva Stratos V boots. Somehow because of quiver management issues I’ve used this setup only a single time, partly because the purchase was ostensibly justified as an eventual replacement for my La Sportiva Vapor Nano. (I swear, the “Nano” part is a complete coincidence!) The one time I used them was on a crazy stormy day, with various types of wind-affected powder. All the types were good types though, so although the skis performed p...

Comprehensive guide to all the ski lines in the Presidentials, including some especially obscure ones (many of which are alas almost never skiable). Full disclosure that I received my copy for free in exchange for providing some of the information. Although I think that speaks well of the author for having reached out extensively to avid Presidentials skiers. Either way, if you plan on doing any skiing in the Presidentials, this book is a must!

This is such an insanely brilliant design! The only drawback is that I found myself wondering why I hadn’t thought of this earlier on my own. Actually, I had, cannibalizing a pair of BD swappable sole blocks (that weighed almost as much as my skimo race boots). But my design was overly complex, so I didn’t work all that well. This design by contrast is wonderfully simplistic, which is why it works so well. So well that no matter how well you think your current setup works for waxing and scraping, yo...