I have received many requests lately asking me what gear I use when I am out and about, and my personal opinion on what to get. So, I figured I would simply list them out so that you can make a determination on your own…..
Mountain Biking
Ellsworth Truth (16″) :: this is my full suspension rig and is definitely my “baby”. I spend more time on this bike that any other bike I own. I bought it back in 2004 and have been enthralled by it ever since. It is plush, light, responsive and climbs like a gazelle. I have ridden a number of other bikes (Superlight, Trance, Fuel, etc.) and it is still my favorite, the only other bike I can imagine buying is the Scott Ransom Ltd. Sidi shoes w/ Eggbeater pedals.
Shimano XTR rear derailleaur/shifter, XTR front derailleaur shifter, XTR cranks, XTR cassette, XTR bb, XTR rim brakes/levers, Easton Monkey Lite carbon riser bars, Thompson stem/seat post, Chris King headset/hubs, Race Lite rims w/Ti spokes, Rock Shox Psylo Race fork w/black box, Fox Vanilla Float R rear shock and Panaracer Fire XC Pros (best all around MTB tire I have purchased)
Gary Fischer 2009 Rig :: I saw this single-speed 29″er at the 24-hours of Moab this year and I had to have it. the rootbeer color with the 29″ wheels was something that caught my eye. Boy is it fun to ride. I am not fully use to the larger wheels, but I have to say that going downhill on this bike is a pleasure. I am not sold on the uphill yet, although I enjoy it; I don’t beleive all the people that have said it is easier with a 29″ wheel (could have something to do with the single-speed aspect)..
Road Biking
Trek 2003 USPS 5300 (51cm) :: This full carbon bike flies like the wind, because of its small size and the lightweight components I have mounted on it – it is literally featherlight. Road Biking is not my first bike passion, but I do enjoy road riding and I do a lot of it! I have not had a chance to ride other road bikes, but I can say that I am a huge fan of my Trek and all the components I have graced it with. It has treated me well on a number of rides, ranging from 20 miles from my house to over a 100 in some races. Sidi shoes w/ Speedplay pedals.
Shimano Dura Ace rear derailleaur/shifter, Dura Ace front derailleaur shifter, Dura Ace cranks, Dura Ace cassette, Dura Ace bb, Dura Ace brakes/levers, Easton Monkey Lite carbon bars, Thompson stem/seat post, Cane Creek headset, Carbon Comp tires and Mavic SSC SL Tour de France Edition wheels (limited edition no. 134).
Cruisers
Electra Ratrod 3i ALU :: This is the go to cruiser if I am looking for comfort and style! I removed the chain guard, reflectors, leather tassels and the fenders. I put an old school Electra headlight on it as well as a Chinese bike bell. This bike rolls extremely comfortable and it turns heads, get one if you don’t have one!
Marin Drakes Beach :: This is my work horse.. I removed the fenders, reflectors and chain guard. I think put a heavy duty removable back and rear rack system in order to assist when I go to the grocery store, etc. This bike is great, it reminds me of childhood riding BMX bikes, it is not stretched out like the Rat Rod and is light as heck. A great all around cruiser, I think.
Fly Fishing
Rods :: Temple Fork Outfitters (TFO) Professional Series :: I use a 4, 5 and 6 weight in these rods. I think they are amazing rods for the price, warranty (lifetime), weight and the feel of course. I have had the opportunity to fish big and small rivers with these rods (and throw a few others) and I must say that I will continue to buy them (obviously, since I have 3 of them).
Reels :: Temple Fork Outfitters (TFO) 310 Large Arbor Reel :: Just bought this reel and it is great, I love the Carbon Fibre drags. I really like the fact that I can use this reel on any of my rods and it performs great. I bought it down on the St. Joe River after Dan Mottern (Idaho Fly Fishing Company, get there – Dan rocks and Dan and Beth’s flyshop is beautiful!).
GLoomis Venture 3 :: This reel is okay. I don’t know that I would purchase another one, I get a lot of “slips in the feeding of the line. It does not always catch when I reel in and throw line, not real excited about the reel. I use it on my 4 weight from time to time.
Waders :: Cloudveil 8x Pro :: The cat’s meow…. What can I say, I love these waders. They seem to be bulletproof, they are lightweight and extremely functional. I believe that most everything based in Jackson Hole, WY is pretty damn top notch and these are no exception. I will be buying another pair in the event that these get worn out, somehow.
Boots :: SIMMS L2 wading boot :: I really like these boots, they are starting to show wear after 2 years with cracking and such. But, they are very comfortable to walk all day in and they compliment my waders very well in the versatility arena. I also use the SIMMS wool fishing hat, fleece WindStopper Foldover Mitts – all are great gear.
Other :: Fishpond Wader/Duffel Bag :: I recently purchased this bag and it seems great. Very durable and plenty of room for pretty much anything. I am new at folding up the waders and using the carriage foldout underneath the bag, so I cannot comment to much on the bag yet….
Fishpond Shooting Star Chest/Backpack :: This pack has many features that have been great for hiking up and down the river all day. There is lots of room and I like how you can take it apart and just use the chest pack if need be, I have had the opportunity to use this a lot on a fishing trip through WA, ID and MT last year and I really enjoyed the versatility.
Boat :: My dad and I sold the raft in 2008 in an effort to get into a drift boat. Something that both of us wanted and simply much easier to throw around in and out of the water. I would like to have both, but I also want to be 2″ taller and that is not happening anytime soon. So we have a 2009 16′ LP Clackacraft Fly Pod, we will be receiving it in mid July and look forward to a wonderful maiden voyage somewhere.
Kick Boat :: Buck’s Bags South Fork :: Did not know a lot about pontoon boats when I purchased this boat, someone told me it was the best so I went for it. Man, after looking at all the other options – I could not agree more. It is VERY light, which is important to me – I don’t use the oars (if ever) and mostly just use the flippers down all the rivers (Blackfoot, Bitterroot, Spokane, St. Joe, etc.) and it works amazingly well. I would tell anyone that wants to buy a boat once, this is your one!
Apline Skiing
Ski’s :: K2 Made’N AK :: These ski’s have been through most everything with me, they are unforgiving and must be ridden with a mission. I tend to find myself pointing straight down, but that is how they were meant to be ridden. They are heavy and FAT (108 at waist), these were (I beleive) the fattest ski’s you could buy in 2005. They are 3 years old, but I don’t see myself getting rid of them. If you are looking for an aggressive ski that floats (and not to mention, you will be asked about them in the lift lines) than these are the ski’s for you.
Rossignol Bandit B2 :: Bought these in 2006, they are the 2005 model. I really like these B2’s for an anywhere anytime type of ski. They are light, responsive and don’t give you a lot of chatter, when you accidentally find yourself on a groomed run (if you like groomed runs, stay there; don’t ruin the good stuff for the rest of us by slidding down the powder on your edges).
Boots :: Tecnica Diablo Magnesium Ultra Fit :: I bought these boots in 2006, I made the horrible mistake of going into a ski shop Whistler/Blackcomb and buying the most expensive boot on the shelf figuring it was the best for me. Poor judgement (or the beer I had prior to going in!), these boots are okay but not REAL comfortable for my feet. I will be buying another pair at the start of the 2008 – 2009 season. I don’t mean to say these boots are horrible, because they are not – great when going fast (they are a race boot) but just not so great when you are in the powder all day (where I prefer to be).
Telemark Skiing
Skis :: Rossignol Powder Bird :: A new ski that I have not even mounted yet. Look forward to getting them dialed in and on the slopes.
Black Diamond Havoc 175 :: Just getting into telemark skiing, I like the idea of free heeling and I am looking to become good enough to use these in the back country. I am starting by hiking and skiing, then on days that are not so great, I will fine tune my telemark ability….. looking forward to it.
AT Skiing
Skis :: K2 Hardside :: Just bought these for an extra pair of touring skis. Love them with the Marker Baron bindings, they allow me a little more stability when choosing to ride them on the resort. Look forward to taking them to Italy.
K2 Apache Coomba :: wanted these ski’s since the first time I saw them smiling back at in a ski shop in Lake Tahoe. They look bad-ass, they are light and they support the Coombs family – helping them cope with the loss of the pioneer of backcountry skiing. story here. When I found out I was going to be going to Greenland in 2009, I thought I better get the skis I always wanted, to go along with the trip I always wanted! So I bought them and hooked them up with the Dynafit TLT Vertical ST w/ Brakes and boy are these babies the cat’s meow!!
Skins :: Black Diamond GuideLite STS :: These skins work very well, I suppose the only thing that is different on most skins is weight (these are nice and lightweight) and the attaching mechanism which is used (the STS system is easy and secure). These skins are easy to roll up and pack away, which is extremely nice on a cold day when the skins and the glue are not your friend when trying to roll-up.
Boots :: Garmont Radium G-Fit :: these were also bought in Missoula. I tried on the Radium G-Fit boots and the Black Diamond Factor boots. I have to say that the Factor boots fit a bit better and the walk mode was like not even having a ski boot on. The problem was, at the time Black Diamond had not developed/finalized the production of the DynaFit toe piece. This was a problem in the sense that I was sold on DynaFit and I was not going to change my mind, lighter the better if I am going to be hiking a lot. So I went with the DynaFit specific boot, the Radium G-Fit, don’t get me wrong – they are very light and comfortable, glad I bought them.
Polls :: Life-link :: I chose these poles for price $60 and functionality. There is nothing real special about them, but I know that at least one will be broke in due time – so cut the cost on replacements!
Pack :: Black Diamond Covert 32 w/ Avalung :: I went with the Covert based on reviews and the nice fit that it provides when skiing. I also chose the Avalung option, for obvious reasons; something I hope to never use but it is there if I get caught in a precarious position (knock on wood).. It has plenty of storage space for my stuff as well as another compartment for a water bladder. Also have the Black Diamond Bandit Avalung, Ortovox Peak 29II and Dakine Heli Pro.
Shovel :: Black Diamond Deploy 3 :: The Deploy 3 is very light and breaks down into a small size so that it can easily fit into my Covert pack. I am happy with the shovel, it is sturdy and the T-handle is a nice feature when you are expanding or collapsing the shovel. The blade is plenty big enough for digging and testing snow conditions.
Probe :: Black Diamond QuickDraw Guide 300 :: This probe was chosen for the QuickDraw feature, making it very easy to expand the probe in windy and/or cold conditions. At 300cm’s this probe seems to be plenty long and light weight to boot!
Beacon :: BCA Tracker DTS :: This easy-to-use beacon should be a great tool if one of my friends finds themselves in an avalanche. They will be happy that I chose this beacon because it is not complicated and should assist me in finding them very quickly. Again, something I hope to never use – but I have it in case.
