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garmin inreach explorer+
The Best Satellite Messengers and Personal Locator Beacons of 2018

The Best Satellite Messengers and Personal Locator Beacons of 2018

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If you are someone that spends time in the backcountry, you should definitely consider getting a PLB (personal locator beacon) or a satellite messenger. The nature of backcountry travel means that you are often out of the range of cell towers. Having a device that communicates via satellite can literally be a life saver if things go awry. Read on for an overview of the best personal locator beacons (PLBs) and best satellite messengers that are available today. Whether your…

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summer picture
End of Season Ski and Gear Maintenance

End of Season Ski and Gear Maintenance

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The sun is shining, the birds are chirping, and the grass is starting to get green. Maybe you’ve already been out for a mountain bike ride or two, or you’ve started pre-season bike maintenance. Your beloved skis are probably gathering dust in a corner in the basement or your shed, and won’t be given another thought until the snow starts to fly again. But hold on – there are a few easy end of season ski maintenance tasks you can…

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backcountry access (bca) shaxe tech avalanche shovel
Best Avalanche Shovels in 2018

Best Avalanche Shovels in 2018

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Although an avalanche shovel is a fairly simple piece of equipment, every year there are small improvements made to shovel designs. They get stronger, lighter, and easier to assemble and take apart. This article will take a look at some of the best avalanche shovels currently on the market. If you’re looking for other avalanche safety gear, check out our articles about the Best Avalanche Probes in 2018 , the Best Avalanche Airbag Packs in 2018, and the Best Avalanche Transceiver…

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intuition pro tour liner
Intuition Pro Tour Liner Review

Intuition Pro Tour Liner Review

Many models of alpine touring boots now come with excellent liners, but some still fall short. Intuition liners have been one of the benchmark aftermarket ski boot liner providers for years. The latest iteration of the Pro Tour model continues that legacy. In this review we’ll tell you what makes it such a good liner (spoiler alert: it’s excellent). Intuition: A Small Company with a Reputation for Quality For over 20 years, a small company named Intuition Sports, Inc. based…

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ortovox 3+ avalanche transceiver recall
Precautionary Recall of Ortovox 3+ Avalanche Transceivers

Precautionary Recall of Ortovox 3+ Avalanche Transceivers

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If you are the owner of an Ortovox 3+ Avalanche Transceiver, you’re going to want to read this. First of all, don’t panic. It’s a minor software issue that may affect some 3+ model transceivers in rare situations. More good news is that it won’t cost you anything to get fixed. This is a precautionary recall, meaning that Ortovox is being proactive. They’ve discovered that there could be an issue with some transceivers, and they are offering to address the issue…

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The Best Climbing Skins for Backcountry Skiing in 2018

The Best Climbing Skins for Backcountry Skiing in 2018

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Update: check out our Best Climbing Skins in 2019 article for updated recommendations. After doing a thorough review of Climbing Skins Direct skins last week I thought it would be a good idea to look at what other skins are available. Compared to as little as 10 years ago, there are many more options available today. In this article, we look at the best climbing skins in 2018 and discuss the pros and cons of each. We’ve also taken a first…

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climbing skins direct logo on skin
Climbing Skins Direct Review – Climbing Skins Are Their Specialty

Climbing Skins Direct Review – Climbing Skins Are Their Specialty

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***Note: In the last 6 months I’ve heard many reports of slow or no delivery and poor communication from CSD. At this point, unless you’re willing to gamble a bit, I wouldn’t recommend ordering from them. I would also use a credit card with good buyer protection or PayPal in the event that you need to reverse the charges. See the comments below for more info. If you’re looking for a similar alternative, check out Big Sky Mountain Products climbing…

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blizzard sheeva 10
2018 Blizzard Sheeva 10 Review

2018 Blizzard Sheeva 10 Review

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This is the first guest post on HikeForPow.com from Mrs. HikeForPow (okay, not truly a guest post – I wrote it but it’s her review). She has a new set of skis and loves them, so we thought a Blizzard Sheeva 10 review would be appropriate. This article will help you decide if the Sheeva 10 is the right ski for you.

2017/2018 Tecnica Cochise Pro 130 Review

2017/2018 Tecnica Cochise Pro 130 Review

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Since the first generation of the Tecnica Cochise caused a stir in the skiing community in 2011, the boot has improved with every iteration. The 2018 version is no different in this regard, and is the best yet. This in-depth review takes a close look at the Cochise Pro 130 after around 40 days of testing.

The Best Avalanche Airbag Packs in 2018

The Best Avalanche Airbag Packs in 2018

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One of the more recent innovations in backcountry safety is the Avalanche Airbag. Airbag packs are particularly interesting because they greatly increase your chance of survival if you get caught in a slide. Update: check out our Best Airbag Packs in 2019 post for updated info. In this article I’m going to take a look at some of the best avalanche airbag packs that are currently available. I’ll give you a summary of the features of each one and let…

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