Essential Mountaineering Gear
Last week we talked about how October is one of the best months for alpine climbing and with some sun left in this month's forecast, there's still time to tick…
October: the golden month for alpine climbing
By Eric Dumerac October is likely the most undervalued month of the year when it comes to alpine climbing and mountaineering. The days are definitely shorter and colder, but not…
Essential Mountain Education: First Aid Course
Have you ever been hurt in the mountains or been there when one of your friends were? If it was in a ski resort then you likely only had to…
Interview with Icebreaker’s Jeremy Moon
Temperatures are falling, rain be a comin' and soon, the snow will be flying. It's these months of the year when flip flops and summer short-shorts get relegated to the back…
Best way to help bears in Whistler? Keep your distance and scare them away
Bears are curious creatures. Depicted in children's books as warm and cuddly mammals with oh-so-cute ears, it's no surprise that when people spot Ursus americanus (American black bear) their first…
Forgotten Gear: The Backcountry Map
When driving around looking for a particular street address, do you find yourself watching the smartphone screen instead of the number on the houses? With the trusty Google Maps app (or…
The Tremendous Truth About Trekking Poles
There is much debate - among hikers and guides alike – on whether or not to use trekking poles over long-distances. The question is, are trekking poles worth the investment? When I spent my first summer in the Whistler area a few years ago I started hiking weekly, sometimes daily, to explore the surrounding mountains and trails. I noticed that trekking poles seemed to be increasing in popularity, and to see if it was more than just another equipment trend, I turned to research. When I spent my first summer in the Whistler area a few years ago I started hiking weekly, sometimes daily, to explore the surrounding mountains and trails. I noticed that trekking poles seemed to be increasing in popularity, and to see if it was more than just another equipment trend, I turned to research.
Celebrate all things Hiking at Hikefest 2015
We're big fans of hiking here in the Sea to Sky Corridor. After all, how else does one access the best of the outdoors? One Sunday, September 13, Mountain Skills Academy & Adventures is teaming up with the Sea to Sky Gondola, MEC, Adventure Smart and The North Face for the second annual HikeFest, a day to celebrate all things hiking and the activities on offer at this beautiful location in Squamish.
Winter weather predictions: science or faith?
It's that time of year again. The Old Farmer's Almanac has released its 2016 edition, with all the associated predictions of snowfall for the upcoming winter. Online ski media has of course begun to jump on the bandwagon with click bait article titles touting – around six months in advance - how great a winter we can expect. And they're saying this could be a pretty darn good year for snow. If you're not familiar with the Old Farmer's Almanac, it's believed to be America's longest running publication providing farmers with helpful planting charts for their crops since 1792 through a secret formula of solar science, climatology and meteorology, securely housed in a black box in Dublin, New Hampshire. The periodical has amassed a significant following in North America not so much from its weather prediction, but from its witty and humorous writing style, as well as inclusions of light-hearted content such as recipes and garden guides.
Getting ahead with sport psychology
What’s the most important piece of equipment in your sport? The six inches between your ears. Regardless of your sport, the mind is the most important piece of equipment you will ever take with you. After spending months of time trying to improve your skills by focusing on physical, technical and tactical skills, that improvement can plateau. Improving your mental preparation can go a long way with helping progress psychologically in areas that don't come naturally.. Goal setting After setting a long-term goal, break it down into smaller short-term, performance goals related to a specific technical or tactical element and focus on one of those goals each time when heading out to train. This prevents becoming overwhelmed by your training schedule and lets you acknowledge each small success along the way.