Backcountry Exposure: Snow

Thursday, January 30, 2014

Last week, as mentioned in the post below, I had the opportunity to spend a few days checking out some new gear at the Outdoor Retailer Show in Salt Lake City, Utah. I was amazed at the amount of gear that was being introduced, and the amount of brands that I had not heard of before. It just goes to show how massive the outdoor industry really is.

I was unbelievably impressed with a company based out of Vancouver, Canada, called Hillsound Equipment. Hillsound specializes in hiking crampons, microspikes, and their Armadillo Gaiters. I was fortunate enough to get my hands on a pair of the FreeSteps6 microspiked crampons. These baby's are amazing, and for the price are a wonderful option to gain more traction while on the trail. The FreeSteps6 are marketed for around town and trail running in the winter to ensure you do not find yourself face down in the snow and ice. I took them out on the trail to hike and was impressed with how nice they fit around my boots and made my trail experience that much better.

The FreeSteps6 are a microspike style crampon similar to Kahtoola's Microspikes. Hillsound makes more than one type of hiking crampon, so if you are looking for something a little more aggressive check these out. The FreeSteps6 fit snug around your shoe or boot and are not going to slip off or move around while walking through snow and ice. They move with the flex of your shoe or boot, which makes them incredibly comfortable. They are incredibly easy to get on and off, especially with gloves on. They are comfortable and just make hiking on ice so nice!

I have absolutely loved these crampons and they are built so solid, that I know they are going to last me a long time. Made from stainless steel and a really great design, these crampons are a must for any trail runner/ hiker that sees any snow and ice in their future. The FreeSteps6 retail for $39.99, which is an amazing price for what you are getting.

Buy a pair of these awesome crampons here: Hillsound FreeSteps6

Hillsound Equipment - FreeSteps6 Crampons - Gear Review

Thursday, January 30, 2014

Hillsound Equipment - FreeSteps6 Crampons - Gear Review

Monday, December 23, 2013

Beep... Beep... Beep... Beep... Beep... Your alarm on your phone goes off, it's time to get up and face another week of work, but what's worse than that is the thought of getting into your car. Sitting out in the cold all night, it's covered in frost, the leather is nearly frozen, and your driving gloves have a hole in them. You drive to work peering through the small opening in the windshield that slowly grows as the car gets warmer ever so slowly. Coffee or hot cocoa in hand, you make it to the office, your cubical looking over the parking lot, covered in snow. 10:00 am rolls around... "Jerry, come look at this sweet ski video on Youtube! Man, I wish I could do things like that!"

Winter rolls around, the snow falls, and the dividing line grows more and more as it gets colder and colder. The serious backcountry enthusiasts rejoice as they see new snow fall, knowing the turns in the powder on the mountain are going to be amazing. Mean while, the rest of us find ourselves with a mug in hand, wishing we were outside, wishing for green meadows and a warm sun. It happens every year, we fear the cold, we hate the cold, we despise the cold!

However, we love the outdoors right? Or at least we claim that we do, and therefore, fulfilling the need to get out and experience the cold and beauty of the snow is vital. It had been over a month since I had been out hiking. Wrapping up my hardest semester of college to this point, and finals really took any drive out of me. Yesterday morning, I woke early and made the five minute drive from my house to the mountains. Yellow Canyon sits on the east side of Utah's Oquirrh Mountains. Yellow Canyon is locally famous for it's horseback riding, and awesome single track mountain bike trails. This canyon, only a few minutes drive from my house, is the perfect place to get away and experience the peace the backcountry should bring.

The air was crisp, and the sound of four dogs trampling through the snow brought a smile to my face. It felt so good to just be outside! There is something amazing about the peaceful feeling that speaks to the soul of a snow covered landscape. It's so quite, calm, and with no one else around, it's some of the most forgiving feelings around.

My point is, just get outside no matter the season, the temperature, or the reason. A simple jaunt up a canyon, post holing in the snow is worth the effort of putting a smile on your face for seeing nature in the purest of forms.

JUST GET OUTSIDE! YOU'LL THANK ME LATER FOR IT!