Andrew McLean
Andrew McLean lives in Park City, Utah and is a gear designer, writer, photographer, ski mountaineer, climber, Mountain Unicycle rider and father of two very loud little girls.
Andrew McLean's Latest Posts
Sunday Photo – AK Rager
Enduring a raging storm in a remote mountain range can be fun if you are prepared for it. Fun & Games – Ben Ditto and Lorne Glick enjoying the scenery (or lack of it) on the Bagley Icefield. April 2008 After flying around the Wrangell-St.Elias Mountain Range the year before, it seemed like there was […]
Ski Mountaineering Racing
Information on Ski Mountaineering Racing What is a Ski Mountaineering Race? How To Host/Organize a Ski Mountaineering Race Tips & Tutorials for Ski Mountaineering Racing Ski Mountaineering Race Photos & Videos Ski Mountaineering Race Links: International Ski Mountaineering Federation (ISMF) United States Ski Mountaineering Association (USSMA) Colorado Ski Mountaineering Cup (COSMIC) Black Diamond PowderKeg Ski […]
2008-2009 ISMF Racing Schedule
Hot off the LCD monitor, here’s the International Ski Mountaineering Federation 08/09 race schedule. These are all the ISMF sanctioned races, including World Cups and National Championships. Most of the races are in Europe, but there is one in Korea and another up in Whistler, BC if you happen to be traveling that way this […]
Airfare Paradox of Choice
One of the most influential books I’ve read in the last five years has been “The Paradox of Choice” by Barry Schwartz. This isn’t to say it is a rip-roaring good read, but I think about it almost every day, especially when faced with the endless morass of choices while trying to find the best […]
Love’m… and Leave’m Behind
Thermos’, goggles, ski crampons and helmets – these are a few of my least favorite things, at least in terms of backcountry skiing day trips. I’m a less-is-more kind of guy and if I’ve carried something in my daypack for more than a few trips without using it, it gets the chop. If I find […]
Probes – Leave Home Without Them?
I hardly ever carry a probe for day backcountry ski trips. I know this makes me a bad person and I’ll burn in hell for it, but I have my reasons. 1) Cheap lightweight probes are a disservice to humanity. They bend, break and don’t have the heft to punch through solid avalanche debris. If […]
Tramdock.com goes to the one-hitter format
It’s fast, furious and insanely cheap! Following in the format of SteepandCheap.com, WhiskeyMilitia.com and Chainlove.com, Tramdock will now feature a single item per day at skull-popping discounts. Just a few moments ago (you have to be fast – these sales don’t last long) the featured item was a pair of Scott Verdict Goggles for $39.97 […]
Cheap Thermal Insurance
My main strategy for staying warm while backcountry skiing is to adjust my pace to achieve a good operating temperature. If it is scorching hot, I slow down. If it’s really cold, I’ll speed up. I wear the same clothes almost every time I go out and use side zips or front zips to vent […]
Chuting Spree Clue #2 – Win K2 Tele/AT Skis
For any size, any model… follow five weekly clues and be the first to correctly identify where the skis are hidden to win a pair of K2 Telemark/AT skis of your choice! Clue #2 of 5 Q: The world’s foremost high-altitude apiarist called this COUNTRY home. Click here for the contest rules. Clues… Aug 26th – Identify […]
Ahhhh…!
Summer bummer… hate heat. These are a few of my least favorite things. Utah is a “Pretty Great State” three out of four seasons, with summer being skull-popping hot and unpleasant. While the first snow may be far from actual skiing, it at least marks the end to the season of misery here in Utah. From the Alta webcam, […]
Continue Reading