Nestled in the heart of Northern California, Mount Shasta stands as one of the most iconic and awe-inspiring peaks in the country. Once you lay eyes on Mt. Shasta, it is impossible to not want to stand on its summit. Towering 14,179 feet above the surrounding terrain, Shasta offers some of the longest fall-line ski descents of any cascades volcano. Avalanche Gulch and the West Face are counted among the famous “50 Classic Ski Descents of North America.”

One of the most obvious concerns for backcountry skiing is avalanche safety, and there are a few crucial pieces of gear that every backcountry traveler should carry. Even if you only intend to venture into relatively safe terrain, carrying this life-saving equipment is important because the unexpected can always happen.

So, you want to leave the lift lines behind and venture into the Backcountry? Here I will outline a guide to the gear that is needed to safely and comfortably pursue untouched powder lines. This blog is focused on ski specific gear.

As winter approaches and the mountains become blanketed in fresh snow, many skiers and snowboarders find themselves drawn to the allure of backcountry. It is the perfect way to blend a passion for hiking and the outdoors, with the thrill of untouched powder and stunning alpine landscapes. However, with this access there are very real inherent risks that come with backcountry travel—chief among them is avalanche danger.

So you are planning to enter the vertical world? Here I will be describing the necessary equipment you need to begin. Whether you are planning to climb in the gym or you are ready to get outside, here is the gear necessary for gym climbing, top rope climbing, sport climbing, and bouldering. Remember there are plenty of options for each of these pieces of gear. I will give you a few options in each category.

Traditional Climbing is the art of placing your own protection while rock climbing. There will be no or very minimal bolts on traditional climbing routes. In this post I will describe a standard traditional rock climbing rack. I will also describe the gear we use aside from the protection itself.

In this article my hope is to spread some of what I have learned throughout my career as a guide and professional climber. I will cover everything from big wall climbing to ice climbing to everyday single pitch rock climbing.