Gear Overview & Reviews
I’ve always been kind of a gear nerd. This page is designed to show you what kinds of gear I use to survive and have fun in the Tetons and Idaho mountains.
” Only those who risk going too far can possibly find out how far they can go.”
– T.S. Eliot
Sometimes it surprises me how much time I’ve spent outdoors. I often still think of myself as a beginner, but I guess at some point that ceases to be true and no one is there to tell you different.
Or maybe we are all just beginners. We are all still learning and growing at something. I think that’s part of why I share my gear and this blog as a whole. I want to share with others because we all have cool ideas and want to have some fun out there.
If you have any comments or questions about my gear, let me know, I’d love to hear them. I’m still learning and growing as much as the next guy. I’m always looking to figure out how to make things go better when I’m out in the mountains
Backcountry Ski Gear
Whether I’m skiing in bounds or exploring a backcountry canyon somewhere, I use the same skis. If I can’t ski it everywhere, I don’t want it.
My light and fast setup (left) is a set of 2023 Atomic Bent 110’s. They are a light ski that I can throw where I want and go deeper on long days, but stiff enough to still handle variable conditions. These skis are mounted with a set of G3 Ion LT touring bindings. They aren’t my favorite bindings but they do the job. This is the set of skis I take out on most summit attempts. Not a mountaineering ski but worth the grams in my book.
If the snow is coming down heavy then I opt for my powder setup. The wide shovels and tails on my 2018 Icelantic Nomad 115’s (right) are great. They are a little too heavy for long days and their width is hard on the hips in the skin track on longer trips, so they don’t get skied as much as they once did but I still love them. They take chop and crud like a champ and they surf pow like it’s going out of style. They are mounted with Dynafit Radical TLT 2.0 bindings, on of the best bindings Dynafit ever made, in my opinion.
The boots I opted for in the backcountry are the Dynafit Radical Pro Alpine Touring Boot. I previously owned a pair of older Scarpa F-1’s that were super comfortable but a little too flexible. I’m a pretty big guy and found myself working a little hard in that soft of a boot. The Radical Pro’s really strike a good balance for me. They are comfortable, warm, and have really good power transfer into my ski. My ski game really stepped up a notch when I opted for these boots. I’ve had to do a. little custom molding so they fit my ankles without pain, but I have them pretty dialed in at this point.
“Be the one who nurtures and builds. Be the one who has an understanding and a forgiving heart one who looks for the best in people. Leave people better than you found them.”
—-Marvin J. Ashton
Biking Gear
In 2024, in preparation for my first triathlon, I bought my first gravel bike. While it wasn’t the best choice for triathlon-ing (I got passed by old men on steel frame road bikes), it has proved to be very useful on some long and fun approaches. It also does a good job at breaking up the occasional monotony of trail running. In fact, it probably saved me from becoming burnt out on trail running altogether.
I chose a Salsa Journeyer Apex 1. I really like the comfortable geometry of the bike, even after a 40+ mile summer ride I was still feeling good enough to continue if I had needed to. While comfortable, the geometry is also great for some easy to moderate technical downhills.
I have upgraded the stock tires to tubeless 700c Terravail Cannonballs, which have been great for all but the most sloppy, slick mud. The 1 x 11 drive train has been a blast to climb with but does sometimes leave it lacking on the downs. My only other gripe with the bike is the mechanical disc brakes. They aren’t very smooth or quick to stop on downhills. Other than those 2 last points, it’s been an exceptional bike that I intend to ride for a long time, maybe shaving a few miles of an approach or two.
I did eventually round up a barely used carbon Specialized Roubaix to compete in triathlons with. Again, biking probably saved my running and mountaineering. If you ever feel like you’re getting tired, don’t give up, just switch it up.
Check back later as I add more gear specifics and reviews so you can see what I carry into the mountains with me, not only for fun but also to keep me safe….
ADV Bike
During the summer of 2025 I added an ADV bike to my arsenal to help me make approaches a little shorter (and to help save some miles on my old Subaru.)
I drive a Royal Enfield Himalayan 450. It’s pretty decked out with the aluminum pannier boxes, the large windshield, hand guards, and engine guards. It’s not a huge bike as far as ADV engines go but it’s pretty fun and gets me to most of the places I need to go.
A Note of Gratitude…
^ This photo was taken laying on a bridge during an exhausting first mountain marathon.
Below is taken from a summit above one of the best powder stashes that I probably won’t be sharing anytime soon.
One of the hardest parts of my journey as an outdoor adventurer has been gaining and letting go of amazing people. I have had a few very good and inspiring partners. I have been to amazing places and learned so much with them. I’ll always be grateful for the time I spent with them before our roads went separate ways to travel different roads of life. I always wish them well
The photo below is a lake high in the Tetons on the way to Spearhead Peak.
The Mountain Muir 