Backcountry Ski & Mountaineering Gear

Built for the descent, not just the summit photo.

Every piece we ship has failed somewhere first — on a test line, in a cold chamber, on a guide's back at 5,800m — so it doesn't fail on yours.

Shop the line Read the field reports

−42°C

Coldest field test

8,047m

Highest deployment

Years in the mountains

Systems

Six systems, one standard.

We don't chase trends inside a category — we build the fewest things that actually need to exist, and we rebuild them when the mountain proves us wrong.

410g

Firn Shell Jacket

A three-layer hardshell built around the closures failing hands still need to work at altitude.

890g

Advanced Camp Insulated Parka

Synthetic fill that keeps insulating wet, because down that's gotten wet at altitude stops insulating exactly when you need it most.

1,850g (pair)

Ridge Line Mountaineering Boot

A double boot rated for the descent, not just the summit push — traction and warmth after twelve hours on your feet.

3.4kg

Basecamp Expedition Tent

A four-season geodesic built to hold its shape in wind that collapses lesser tents, tested on the same test line every season.

520g

Traverse Ice Axe

A general-mountaineering axe balanced for the plod, not just the one steep pitch it photographs well on.

380g

Glacier Travel Harness

A lightweight harness built to be worn all day over bulky layers, adjusted once at the trailhead and forgotten.

The Line

One ascent, checkpoint by checkpoint.

A single real expedition, and what was actually carried at each elevation band.

2,400m — Base Camp

Load-out and the last real meal

Everything gets weighed twice here. Anything that earns its place in the pack has to justify its grams against what it replaces, not against what would be nice to have.

4,900m — Advanced Camp

The first cold night

This is where insulation claims stop being marketing copy. The shell either sheds spindrift or it doesn't; there is no partial credit at altitude.

6,800m — High Camp

Where the margin for error disappears

Zippers, buckles, and closures get tested one-handed, with a mitt on, by someone who has been awake for eleven hours. That's the actual spec.

8,047m — Summit Ridge

The descent is the whole point

We size gear for the way down, not the photo at the top — traction, visibility, and grip when everyone is exhausted and the weather has turned.

Field Reports

Recent expeditions.

Coastal Divide 2,400m -19°C

Spring ski traverse of the Coastal Divide

Greater Ranges 8,047m -42°C

Guided ascent above 8,000m

Northern Range 6,900m -34°C

First winter ascent of the North Buttress

I don't sponsor gear I wouldn't bring on a trip where a failure means someone doesn't come home. That's the only review that matters to me. IFMGA Mountain Guide, field tester

The Guides

Tested by the people who can't afford a bad review.

Expedition Logistics

Anders Kjeld

The Journal

Recently written.

Wholesale and dealer enquiries.

We'll tell you honestly whether your shop is the right fit for the line.