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Climb for a Cause profile: Summit for Someone

Mar 15, 2013

Mountaineering can be a selfish endeavor but there are programs out there that help combine one’s love for the summit with aiding a noble cause. Big City Mountaineer’s program, ‘Summit for Someone’ aims to improve the lives of under-served urban youth. Funds that are raised through SFS climbs allow Big City Mountaineers’ to lead transformational wilderness mentoring expeditions to thousands of urban youth across the country in need of “positive adult guidance in challenging and restorative environments.”

First Winter Ascent of Broad Peak

Mar 12, 2013

On March 5, Polish climbers Artur Malek, Adam Bielecki, Maciej Berbeka and Tomasz Kowalski reached the summit of Broad Peak (8047m) laying claim to the first winter ascent of the mountain. Tragically, two teammates did not return. Tomasz Kowalski and Maciej Berbeka separated from their teammates, on the decent and spent the night at or near the high saddle at 7,900 meters. Bielecki and Malek returned to Camp IV, staying the night before continuing their final descent. Bielecki reached Base Camp at 9:30 p.m. on March 6, followed by Malek. What happened to Kowalski and Berbeka? In a statement on polishwinterhimalaism.pl, reports that Kowalski was having trouble breathing and felt fatigued. He later fell and broke one of his crampons and was having a problem fixing it. Expedition leader Krzysztof Wielicki called off the rescue effort on March 8th: Considering all…

Liquid Fuel Stoves 101: How to Choose the Right Fuel for Your Liquid Fuel Stove

Feb 15, 2013

Despite the popularity of small, canister-fuel stoves, liquid fuel stoves are still the best option for many people due to their unrivaled cold weather performance, low cost, (arguably) lower environmental impact, and worldwide availability. But which of the many liquid fuels should you use? If you have a multi-fuel stove like the MSR XGK-EX, Dragonfly, or WhisperLite Universal, you have several fuel options to choose from. Depending on where in the world you plan to use your stove, the options may vary from what you’re used to at home. Pros & Cons of the Common Liquid Fuels White Gas (Naphtha) White gas (aka “naphtha,” “100% light hydrotreated distillate,” or “Coleman fuel”) is the first choice for most people in North America whether they’re headed out for a summer weekend or…

My MSR Backpacking Stove Belongs in My Estate Planning

Feb 10, 2013

I bought my first MSR stove in 1993, soon after I started backpacking. A buddy and I just returned from a trip in the Southern Sierra where his stove exploded while we cooked dinner. I can’t say that we escaped unfazed. But, thankfully, we were unharmed. My friend’s stove was a cranky, burner-over-tank model from a well-known camping gear manufacturer. I was in the market for a stove at the time, and didn’t know what to buy. But our experience on that trip certainly narrowed the brand choices! Christine and I had yet to marry, but I already knew her to be a trustworthy source of gear information. Her backpacking debut preceded mine by several years, and she had already checked off some impressively long expeditions. She owned a Whisperlite…

Dean Potter “Moon Walk”

Jan 10, 2013

This is great. Talk about getting your ducks in a row and executing an intricate plan. A wonderful job directing by Mikey Schaefer with “Moon Walk” and an impressive display of slackline prowess by Dean Potter. This is just one part of a bigger project for National Geographic called The Man Who Can Fly. Moonwalk from Reel Water Productions.

Remembering Bill Forrest

Dec 28, 2012

This week, the climbing community and MSR lost a dear friend. Bill Forrest, the Colorado climbing legend and prolific inventor, died of natural causes snowshoeing on Monarch Pass, near his home in Salida, Colorado. Our thoughts and hearts are with Rosa, his beloved wife, who was snowshoeing with him at his side when he passed.

Fred Beckey honored with Lifetime Achievement Award at 2013 Winter Outdoor Retailer

Feb 9, 2012

Fred Beckey is one of the foremost pioneers of the Northwest climbing scene. He is an explorer and adventurer who made the North Cascades his playground. Here is a must see video about the man his climbing companions know simply as “Beckey.” Fred recently won the Adidas Lifetime Achievement Award at the Winter Outdoor Retailer show. Take a look:

OutWild TV reviews the Reactor Stove System

Feb 5, 2012

OutWildTV gives a great review of the MSR reactor stove system on their website. They say the stove “is at the top of the pack in head to head comparisons with the competition”. And if speed, storage, and efficiency are things that you want in a stove system, then this is the one for you. Read more about the Reactor Stove System here:

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