The dust swirls around our Xterra as we negotiate the last few miles of dirt road. Hwy 191 is up ahead, marking our last leg back into Moab. The kids sit sleepily in the back, giving Chris and I time to talk: She was bored. Bored! She told me she wanted to climb and not…

This last week we decided to seize one last weekend before snowfall by going to one of our favorite fall destinations: Southern Utah. And we weren’t disappointed. The leaves were peaking, the temperatures hovered right around 72 degrees, and the skies were cobalt blue. It was perfect. We headed out to a new crag for…

It is still and dark. The clock ticks 5 a.m. and I cannot sleep. I pull out the coffee. Moving slowly, not wanting to wake my exhausted crew still breathing deeply in their beds. Even the dog is curled tightly on the pile of dirty laundry we’ve discarded in the middle of the floor. I…

Last month I received a copy of “Tell It On The Mountain”, a walking documentary of life on the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT). The PCT is 2,663 miles long and extends from the U.S. border with Mexico to the U.S. border with Canada near British Columbia. This movie documents the lives of a dozen or…

Ollie and Stella Outfitters have been generous with me as I’ve tested their one-piece rain, wind, and snow suit during each of the four seasons. You might recall this item making it in our “Multi-Tasking Must-Haves” series last spring. And after 5 more months of having this piece of gear around, I still agree. While…

I hear it every year. And have already heard it a handful of times in the last week. There are only two seasons around here, Summer and Winter. Fall only lasts a week or so. I hate to be the contrarian, but I respectfully disagree. So why does it always feel like Fall comes and…

Softshell is the garment of fall in Utah. Breathable. Stretchy. But wind and water-resistant. This is the first time I have tried a vest. My original hopes were to wear it for cold weather running and while I believe it will be awesome this winter when I am pounding out miles in twenty degrees, it…

Not all outdoor sports require a ton of skill and gear in order to get out and do them! And that is what keeps us from pursuing certain activities as parents, isn’t it? Cost. Time. Cost. Danger. Cost. But certain outdoor sports are not only easy to get “into” but flow with their natural inclinations….

For most parents I talk to, getting into outdoor sports with their kids is a lot of work. But it doesn’t have to be. My son has been riding a Strider bike since he was 22 month old. And at age 4, he graduated to pedals. We’ve done nothing special. The majority of his time…

Another super snuggly performance top to keep you covered this fall/winter! Toaster Zip Top Location: Wasatch Range, UT Activities: Hiking, Climbing/Bouldering, Daily Living Best Use: Skiing, Snowshoeing, Backpacking/Hiking, Casual Wear Yays! Fit: Sleeve length was near perfect for me, not too long. But then I am short with short arms… The fit is relaxed in the…

There are some people out there who can do what they’re “supposed to” without much tangible motivation. They are patient with their kids because they are naturally patient, rather than because they see a greater purpose in being patient. They work out “just to take care of themselves”. They are the model of faithfulness. I…

I think I found a pant designed for the iPhone 5. But that is just one of the many things I love about the Rockin’ Pant. More on that later. 🙂 I am hard to please when it comes to pants. I’d say I have a hard body to fit – round hips, short legs….

It was mile 75. Dark had settled into the woods and there would be no strong moon to fight it back tonight. Chuck’s hands were numb, hardly working. Things like peeling a banana, tying shoes, removing or adding layers of clothing were increasingly difficult. Chris handed him a hand warmer. Chuck dropped it. Chris picked…