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– The Backcountry Ski Touring Blog

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  • Avalanches
  • Gear Reviews
    • Ski Reviews
    • Boot Reviews
    • Binding Reviews
    • Snowboard Splitboard
    • Book Reviews
    • Avalanche Beacon Reviews
    • Airbag Backpacks
    • Backcountry Electronics
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  • Podcast
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    • Fourteeners
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  • Stories
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    • Backcountry Skiing & Ski Touring Webcams
    • Ski Weights Comparison
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    • Authors Page
    • Ski Touring Bindings
      • Trab TR2 Index and FAQ
      • Salomon Guardian & Tracker
      • Naxo Backcountry Skiing Bindings – Info Index
      • Silvretta Pure Backcountry Skiing Bindings – Info Index
      • Marker F10-12 Duke Baron
      • G3 Onyx Ski Binding FAQ
      • G3 ION Ski Touring Binding
      • Fritschi Backcountry Skiing Bindings – Info Index
      • Fritschi Diamir Frame Bindings Mount DIY
      • Fritschi Diamir Bindings FAQ
      • Fritschi Tecton FAQ
      • Atomic Salomon Backland MTN
      • Dynafit Tri-Step Binding 2001-2003
      • Naxo randonnee alpine touring AT ski binding FAQ
      • Dynafit Skiing Bindings – Info Index
      • Dynafit Binding Frequently Asked Questions FAQ
      • Dynafit Beast 16 FAQ Review 1
      • Dynafit Beast 16 FAQ Page Two
    • History
      • Ski Touring Binding Museum
      • Trooper Traverse Intro & Index
      • Randonnee Ski Touring “AT” ski gear — What is Hip?
      • Chronology
    • Backcountry Skiing Core Glossary
    • Gear Review Policy & Disclosures
Author

Gary Smith

Gary Smith
Gary Smith

Gary is an avid backcountry skier and ski mountaineer residing in Eagle County, Colorado. He is an obsessive tinkerer and modifier of his gear, rarely satisfied with a stock options and always looking for an improvement for more comfort or skiing performance. We pulled him from behind the bench of Cripple Creek Backcountry into the WildSnow Gear Editor role Fall 2019. His skiing journey began in the steeps of Taos, NM and migrated to Colorado where his love for ski touring began after a Ski Patrolling injury. You'll now find Gary bouncing around in the powder near his home in the Vail area while training for bigger missions around the world.

  • Rippers Indeed — Elan Ripstick 96 Ski Review (December 31, 2020)

  • Quarantine Q&A — Filmmaker Bjarne Salen (May 19, 2020)

  • Quarantine Q&A — Big Mountain Doc and Skier Dr. Tracee Metcalfe (May 6, 2020)

  • Quarantine Q&A Part II — Cody Townsend on Gear (April 22, 2020)

  • Quarantine Q&A — Cody Townsend Part I (April 21, 2020)

  • Dynafit Superlite 150 Binding Review (April 10, 2020)

  • Atomic Backland 100 Review — “The” Spring Ski? (April 2, 2020)

  • Light is Right — Black Diamond Helio 200 Binding Review (March 26, 2020)

  • Tested and Dissected — The Plum Oazo 8 Binding Review (March 20, 2020)

  • These Dancing Shoes Can Ski — La Sportiva Skorpius CR Review (March 12, 2020)

  • Deep Day on the 20/21 BD Helio 104 — First Review (February 28, 2020)

  • Effectively Simple — TNF Forecaster 35 Pack Review (February 20, 2020)

  • Algae Skis — WNDR Intention 110 Ski Review (February 12, 2020)

  • Gliding on Plants — Mountain Flow Eco Ski Wax Review (February 10, 2020)

  • North Face L3 50/50 Down Jacket, An Evolution in Breathable Insulation (January 29, 2020)

  • New Year’s Resolution: Perfect Ski Touring Layers (December 31, 2019)

  • Rise of the Mid-Fat — Trends in Touring Ski Shapes (December 23, 2019)

  • DIY Boot Fitting Tricks for Ski Touring (December 10, 2019)

  • Denali 2019 — What Worked, What Didn’t Part II (November 12, 2019)

  • Denali 2019 — What Worked, What Didn’t Part I (November 4, 2019)

  • Dynafit Cramp-In Crampons — A for Innovation (May 6, 2019)

  • The North Face — FUTURELIGHT Clothing — Review (April 22, 2019)

  • Black Diamond JetForce Tour 26 — Review and Mods! (March 18, 2019)

  • Pomoca Race Pro 2.0 Skins — Not Just For Competition (January 11, 2019)

  • Dynafit Hoji Pro Tour Ski Boot – Freeride – Allride (September 11, 2018)

  • Scarpa Alien RS Ski Touring Boot Review and Modifications (April 26, 2018)

    • Recent Comments

      • Jon Canuck on Meidjo 3.0 Binding Review – Backcountry Telemark Evolves
      • Joe Sedy on Giving Myself the Gift of Backcountry
      • Bil Brandt on Versatile and Sustainable — WNDR Vital 100 Ski Review
      • Idaho Dawg on Giving Myself the Gift of Backcountry
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      Gear Reviews

      • Meidjo 3.0 Binding Review – Backcountry Telemark Evolves

        January 12, 2021
      • Tele Tech First Look — Voile Ultra Vector BC, 22 Designs Lynx, Scarpa TX Pro

        January 5, 2021
      • Petzl Irvis Hybrid Crampon Review

        January 4, 2021

      Trip Reports

      • Finding Early Turns on Rainier’s Muir Snowfield

        November 14, 2020
      • Treading Lightly Through Close-to-Home Mountains

        October 6, 2020
      • Snoqualmie Classic — Chair Peak Circumnavigation

        May 26, 2020

      Totally Deep Podcast

      • Risky Business — Zahan Billimoria on Solving for Z

        December 14, 2020
      • Totally Deep Podcast 81 — CAIC Director Ethan Greene

        December 9, 2020
      • Unraveling the Mysteries of Avalanche Education — Totally Deep Podcast 80

        November 16, 2020

      Tips & Tricks

      • 10 Essential Mistakes for the Backcountry Ski Touring Beginner

        December 2, 2020
      • Buying Used Gear Guide Part II — Poles, Avy Gear, Packs

        November 25, 2020
      • Save Your Ski Day — Emergency Car Kit Essentials

        November 24, 2020

      Ski Touring Stories

      • Six Who Dared — Elk Mountains Traverse & Richard Compton Tribute

        January 7, 2021
      • Risky Business — Zahan Billimoria on Solving for Z

        December 14, 2020
      • A Lifetime of Skiing the Heights — Natural Progression Book Review

        December 11, 2020

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