I found myself on the morning of February 4th, north of Arches National Park at 7am driving on hwy 191. In my Nissan truck were my friends Whit and Heidi, sleepy eyed and watching the sunrise to the east. Once we reached hwy 70 to the North, we headed East to our exit, toward Yellowcat Rd, a road leading to the ancient structure of Yellowcat Mine and the canyons we would be wandering through.

We pass the small town of Thompson and I thought of coffee as I see the lonely gas station pass by, but chose to skip it for the day. Actually we all had chosen to go without this tasty morning beverage. I look through my windshield and see the sun glare on the pock marks from the millions or rocks that have hit on the 260,000 miles of traveling, some pebbles big enough to make me actually duck. Thank you LA freeways.

Soon we reached Yellowcat Rd, hit the off ramp and pulled out the map. Whit is firing off mileage numbers for turnoffs while Heidi is crammed in the backseat of the two-person truck trying to get a view out of a window. We hit a turn at 5.3 and see an enormous bird leap into flight off the side of the road and some how start floating across the desert landscape. I think it was a California condor, but it was probably a massive Golden Eagle. Whatever it was, it had a 7′+ wingspan.

1.2 miles further down the road we enter the labyrinth of dirt roads taking us further away from the mother road and into the middle of the freezing desert. We almost reach the pullout for the trailhead in the barren rolling desert and I see that it took an hour less time than I thought it would. The second I get out of the car I think, “holy cow!” as the freezing desert air hits and burns my face. Time for another layer…and where are my gloves?

We rig the gear at 8:30am and head South toward the mouth of Winter Camp Slot, which is somewhere out there in the rolling hills, our first adventure of the day. The info we had for the canyon was that it was close to the trailhead. The first and only rappel was 190′ and the topo said to retrieve it after heading down the canyon. We walked out onto a bulb of sandstone above and near the middle of the canyon. It gave us a great view of the upper and lower sections of the canyon. The snow and cloud covered La Sals stuck out of the crypotbiotic-covered hillside all around.

All of us having cameras and me not having gloves, the wind quickly froze my hands in seconds as I tried to snap off a few frames before my fingers locked up. Whit took off to the head of the canyon and we followed in a maze of streambeds. At the mouth of the canyon I rig the micro thin shoelaces Whit calls static ropes and toss them into the canyon. He heads down the ropes first as I watch the flex of the Juniper tree that was our anchor. Whit reached the base of the canyon, yelled up and Heidi I headed down. I tried to rig the ropes so we could pull them and save some back tracking. I reached a shelf that passed a lodged juniper stump and looked down the dark slot below. I moved over the chasm and looked down to see 100′ more feet below in the incredible 5′ wide slot canyon.

Pulling the ropes was difficult since they were 4mm and there was friction from all of the turns of the canyon. The rope released from the anchor and I held my breath as it fell cleanly into the canyon. Yes! The rope pulling is always a good feeling. We headed down canyon, passing pour offs, muddy walls and many tributaries showing the recent ice and snow from a rare winter storm. The frozen sand was nice to walk on and even though we were in the shade, it was warmer than being in the freezing wind on the domes above. The air was calm and silent as the sun began to crest and enter sections of the walls.

Before we knew it we were entering the bottom of the ever-widening canyon, looking at our exit point near the Cottonwood trees solidly rooted into the base of the canyon. We headed out at this point and made our way back to the truck. Some grazing cattle and sandstone domes on our left watched us as we meandered up the narrow washes. To the south was the ridge of Arches National Park known as the windows and Elephant Butte. Just to the left of that ridge and 20 miles away were the La Sal Mountains being blanketed by storm clouds. Could we be in a more scenic place? … and this is only 1:30 hours from the house.  Some times…well all the time, I think, “There is to much to see.”

The cold from the canyon and wind on the road back to the rig had sapped our energy, which we felt once we stopped. Food was the number one priority, and warming up was next. We jumped into the truck and made our way over to La Boka arch, just up the road from the trailhead. Below the arch was an alcove that faced east and was soaking up the rays of the sun. After the early start and the cold wind, lying in the sun quickly put me to sleep of course after all of us took a handful of photos. We were all in a groggy state enjoying the heat from the sun then I spazzed out and wanted to hike to find the other arch in a side canyon around the corner. The snow-covered north facing slick rock slabs on the other side of the slick rock dome blocked the entrance to Henry’s arch up in an alcove.  We circumnavigated around the rocks, making our way back to the truck and back to the map of the next canyon.

Still having a few hours of light we decided to head into another short canyon called Repeat Jr. Just up the road from the arch we were at the trailhead and psyched to head into this slot. From reading the topo it sounded like a straightforward canyon. One 150′ rappel from a big tree, then a walk down and around to clean the tree. No real obstacles were mentioned, but that was soon to change. We reached the mouth of the canyon and started looking for a big tree. The only one I saw was a flexy looking Juniper up and out of the canyon. When rigged the tree I wanted to back it up off of something else in case it happened to rip out. I tried to use as little rope as possible to rig, just so that I would have enough to reach the ground, but since it was only a 150′ rap and we had 200′ of rope, no problem.

I wanted to rap first into the canyon, so I grabbed my Deuter Guide 35+, loaded the rest of my gear, put myself on the thin line and started making my way down the icy slopes and into the bowels of the canyon. On my way I was moving loose rocks so they wouldn’t come down after me if the rope hit them. This already was more technical than Winter Camp wash from the morning. As I coiled the rope after reaching the first ledge I tossed it and noticed it wasn’t even close to the bottom?  Had I used 50′ of rope to rig the anchor? No way could I have used more than 15′ of rope. The canyon turned into a tight angling slot that was trying to pull me in, but I shimmied to the outside then finally was able to get my pack off and clipped it to a sling so it could hang below me and allow me to fit. Before I knew it I was at the end of the rope, the knot on my belay device and still 40′ to the ground. As I looked into the dark canyon I could see what looked like a pool of black water at the base. The beta said there would be no water, and then I realized it wasn’t water.

I yelled up to Whit that he needed to extend the rope so I would be able to reach the bottom of the canyon, then I would have to deal with getting somehow past the dead cow 40′ below. I braced myself on the walls while Whit quickly rebuilt the anchor, so glad I was wearing my 5.10 Guide Tennies. I was stuck on the walls like a lizard, a really cold lizard waiting for the rope to extend. Looking down and seeing a cow was freaking me out. Was it alive? Was it going to get up and move when I was walking over it? I was hoping the canyon was narrow enough for me to shimmy over it. Soon I had enough rope to get just above the cow and start moving across, looking through my feet to see the 7 ft animal. It looks like after seeing the bundle of hay behind it, ranchers were trying to lure it out, but there is not way to turn around a cow when the walls are no wider then it’s body. Sad to see it had to suffer this way.

I was off rappel and Whit started heading down above me, into the cow filled canyon. He had seen a cow in a canyon, placed there by a flash flood on a previous canyon and said this one wasn’t bad…just give it a few months. It’s something you don’t really want to see though. At this time, the cow had turned Heidi away from heading down, so as soon as he was off of the rope and clear of the cow, we headed down canyon and planned to meet her at the anchor. The canyon doubled in width a few hundred yards down to ten feet wide. It was a short canyon and we were at the end in no more than 15 minutes and on our way back to the tree. On our way back we passed some of the most amazing Cryptobiotic soil covered hillsides I have ever seen. It’s incredible how amazing every view in every area of the desert is.

It turned out to be a stellar day. The sun was setting to the west and as we made our way back through the web of dirt roads. Just another great day in the desert.

Long live Adventure!

–Eric Odenthal (Outdoor Ambassador). Read more about Eric’s adventures on his blog.

Complete control for difficult terrain and tight spaces!

• Learn all about the Guide 35+ at Deuter.com
• Pick one up from Moosejaw.com
• Grab your own at Backcountry.com
• Buy one from Summit Hut

It’s a La Nina year, which in the Pacific Northwest can mean below-normal temperatures and generous — OK, epic — precipitation. Come early January though, we were mourning the bone dry, rock ski conditions in the Cascades.

And that put a kink in our plans.

Our son, Owen, is a sturdy, active toddler. The thought of spending a six-month stretch locked up with him indoors seemed daunting for Mark and me. So this fall we geared out the kid with plans to let him loose outside all winter. We inherited hand-me-down skis and boots from a friend and assembled a full accouterment of attire.

With so much to keep track of — gloves, socks, helmet, goggles — Owen’s orange Deuter Junior kids backpack quickly became an indispensable piece of equipment. The wide mouth of the main compartment swallows everything and snapping the top flap keeps it snugly contained. The compartments on the outside of the pack are also perfect for storing snacks (raisins and cheese sticks, his favorites.)

We were all set. Now we just needed snow.

Mother Nature obliged. In mid-January, a powerful storm socked in Mount Bachelor and blasted it with record snowfall, prompting the ski area to announce a weather-related closure for only the second time in more than 20 years. When the near whiteout conditions finally let up, we joined the stampede of snow-starved Central Oregonians headed up to the mountain.

Acting on the sage advice of our friends with older children, we bound the tips of Owen’s Rossignols with a piece of soft plastic tubing and some screws. Then we strapped a harness on the little guy. Off we went!

The ride up the Carousel lift was a breeze. Owen gawked at the snowy landscape and eyed with interest the other little people barreling down the hill, their parents or instructors trying — sometimes frantically — to stay close behind. But when it came his turn to ski down, he needed a little cajoling.

After we closed the deal (a cup of hot cocoa at the lodge après ski), Owen girded himself for what lie ahead. Like any reasonable person who is strapping big sticks to their feet and flying down the face of a mountain for the first time, he was scared. I gave him a gentle nudge and, together, he and his daddy began their descent.

Our ski down happened in fits and starts. Owen leaned forward and picked up steam, then lost his footing, tipped over and lay splayed out until we plucked him from the grips of the snow. (Repeat five times.)

As I watched it all unfold, I couldn’t help but feel proud of my little boy. So much of my experience as a parent is a blur of sleepless nights, doctor appointments, shuffling back and forth between daycare. But these firsts — first word, first step, first ski — are poignant moments in my bearing witness to his budding life.

Clearly tired and frustrated by the end of his first run, Owen was ready to call it a day. And so were we. After all, we didn’t want to the spoil the sport for him before he’s even big enough to appreciate it.

As we drove down the windy road into town, I felt pretty smug. We made it out of the house without leaving behind a glove or boot. We got out on our skis. We left behind a trail of toddler shrapnel in the lodge dining area. We spent time together as a family.

And after all of that, Owen took a nap.

–Lisa Goodman (Family Ambassador).

Organize Kiddo’s gear today!

• Learn all about Deuter’s Junior Packs at Deuter.com
• Pick one up from Paragon Sports
• Grab your own at Backcountry Edge
• Buy one from Summit Hut

In spite of a meager snow season, Deuter Ambassador, Jeremy Benson, travels 16 miles and 6,000 vertical feet to score some turns to achieve the perfect day…

Its pretty amazing the difference a year can make. This time last year we had received around 250 inches of snow in Lake Tahoe on our way to an 800 inch winter. As of today, January 16th 2012, there is virtually no natural snow on the ground, and the only skiing to be done in the Tahoe basin is on man-made snow. Quite the contrast from last year to now, and unfortunately there is nothing that be can be done about it but embrace it and make the most of it. The resorts have done their best to make snow and stay open and I applaud their efforts, but there’s just nothing like the real thing. Tahoe residents have been enjoying the December and January mountain bike season or traveling to the beach or other mountains in search of something different. As we bide our time and await the eventual arrival of winter I want to take a little time and reminisce about one of the best runs I had last year.

The Red Slate Couloir is one of the most classic ski lines in the Sierra Nevada. Located just south of Mammoth Lakes, Red Slate Mountain is a coveted summit and ski descent for backcountry skiers in California. Skiing Red Slate, however, is no easy task. The closest trailhead is roughly 8 miles and 6,000 vertical feet from the peak’s summit.  Skiing it in a day is daunting and many who attempt the peak often spend the night out there. A round trip of Red Slate involves 16 miles of travel and just over 6,000 vertical feet of elevation gain. Last winter, during one of the brief breaks in the relentless series of storms, in April I headed down to ski Red Slate with a friend.

We arrived in the Convict Lake parking area around 5 am and hastily got ready in the dark. Our mission was starting out with a little less than a mile of flat dirt trail walking so we started in running shoes and hurried along the shore of Convict Lake until we reached the snow in the lake’s northwestern end. We booted up and began our long skinning approach to Red Slate Peak. As we walked up Convict Canyon we passed under a number of formidable ski lines, The Mendenhall, the Pinner, and the Mini-Pinner to name a few. We crossed over numerous old debris piles and through massive Aspen forests as we made our way deeper into the range. A few miles in and our objective came into view heightening our sense of urgency and anticipation. The prominent North Couloir looms high above us, and we get to stare right at it for the rest of the approach. We’re delighted to find that the snow looks perfect and no other parties are sniffing out the same line as us. As we gain elevation the new snow gets delightfully deeper. What had been 2 inches where we parked is a foot and half to two feet of non wind-affected Sierra pow up high. The conditions couldn’t be better.

Six hours of skinning and trailbreaking later and we’re at the top of Red Slate Mountain at 13,163 ft. We take some time to enjoy the view and switch our gear and our minds over into ski mode. We work our way across the exposed eastern face off the summit and down to the top of the Couloir. The snow looked great in the couloir as we approached but nothing had prepared me for how absolutely perfect it was actually going to be. The snow in the High Sierra is often affected by the wind, but thankfully not this time. I dropped in first and enjoyed high speed powder turns about halfway down the couloir where I pulled over and let my slough pass by. At the bottom of the couloir we exchanged high fives and had an unspoken competition for who could be more stoked. I’m not sure who won, but there’s no doubt that we both scored big that day. Its not everyday that everything comes together as perfectly as it did for us that day, and my first run down the Red Slate Couloir is something that I will never forget.

For really big days like this in the Sierra I use the Deuter Freerider Pro 30. This pack is the perfect size to hold everything I need, skins, crampons, axe, shovel, probe, extra layers, food, water, etc. The Freerider Pro’s vented back system holds a heavy load comfortably on my back while still allowing for air to vent through preventing me from over heating and being covered in sweat. The Freerider Pro’s straps make for quick turnaround when switching from skinning to bootpacking, and the zippered back panel allows you to easily access your gear even when you’re carrying skis on your pack. This pack is designed and constructed to never let you down, and when you’re pushing your limits in the backcountry that is really nice to know…

–Jeremy Benson (Outdoor Ambassador).

Be ready for your next epic day!

• Learn all about the Freerider Pro 30 at Deuter.com
• Pick one up from Summit Hut
• Grab your own at Backcountry.com
• Shop at Backcountry Edge

We live in San Francisco, a city rich in urban adventures for a one-year-old boy and his parents. As much as we love the city, we relish the opportunity to visit friends of ours who have a cozy cabin near Nevada City, California.

The first thing that goes into our car for the drive is our Kid Comfort II. Perhaps my favorite feature of this pack is the fact that both my husband and I can comfortably use the Kid Comfort to carry our son (visit us for helpful Tips and Tricks on all Deuter Kid Carriers).

Nate is getting quite heavy, so we usually agree on a “I’ll carry him out and you carry him back” deal. Marriage is full of compromises, but thankfully carrying Nate is not one that we have to argue about!

Most recently we embarked on a New Year’s Eve hike, where we decided to cross the river and re-join the trail on the other side. We’d visited the area before so thought that this was a brilliant plan.

It turned out to be a bush-whacking adventure. Nate was wide awake, commentating enthusiastically about his parents choice to go off-route. Eventually we got high enough to see the Yuba River and a few of its tributaries. A marvelous view, but one that clearly told us that we’d better re-trace our tracks if we were to make it back to the cabin for the NYE celebrations.

I’d had enough of dodging branches and slipping on leaves, so with a swift pack adjustment Nate’s dad took over the Kid Comfort II. Soon enough we crossed the river and made our way back to the trailhead.

Our friends were relieved to see us back at the cabin, and we were very grateful that there were a few beers in the fridge as we told them the story of our NYE adventure on the Yuba River.

–Belinda Pohlmann (Family Ambassador).

Forge new territory with a Deuter Kid Comfort II!

• Learn all about the Kid Comfort II at Deuter.com
• Pick one up from REI
• Grab your own at Backcountry.com
• Shop at Moosejaw.com

Deuter Ambassador, Becky Marcelliano, takes a break from the real world to enjoy a backcountry hut trip filled with funny friends, delicious meals (including doritos, cookies and whiskey!), games (bananagrams) and time frolicking in sparkling snow covered mountains……….

Last weekend, I ventured on my first “Hut Trip.” And by hut I really mean sweet cabin in the woods. Betty Bear Hut is part of the 10th Mountain Division hut system which is a series of backcountry cabins in the Colorado high country. The name honors the men of the 10th Mountain Division of the US Army. Today, they can be rented as pretty gnarly little backcountry escapes for winter enthusiasts such as myself. What a magical combination of backcountry and luxury. It’s an amazing opportunity to meet new people, drink whiskey in your long underwear starting at 10AM, take naps by the fire, play bananagrams until you go cross-eyed, and cook delicious meals together, while forgetting about the real world and enjoying the views of the Rockies, in which the hut is nestled. Even though this was my first hut experience, I think I’m already addicted.

The hike up consisted of 7 miles of distance and 2000 feet of elevation gain. Because this is the driest winter Colorado has ever seen (maybe not, but come on, will it just snow already?), the first 5 miles were a combination of snowpack and dirt. The last two miles were a long series of steep switchbacks over an icy packed trail, making for slightly treacherous maneuvers and several falls. Finally we needed our snowshoes about a 1/2 mile from our destination. The hike wasn’t easy, but we knocked it out long before the sun began to set. Upon arrival, sweaty and tired, we ran around the hut, built a fire, melted snow for water, and shared an entire family size bag of Doritos. Doritos you ask? Yes, I carried a bag of “dorts” on the outside of my Guide 40+ SL the whole time. Sure, they are not exactly healthy and not exactly the typical camping snack of choice and yes, they were slightly crunched by the time we got there. You see, when riding my bike across the country this summer, Doritos were the go-to snack for my riding buddy Carlie and I. Salt deficiency probably played a huge role and the fact we were in tiny towns quite frequently and it was hard to find options other than doritos and ice cream. So anyway, doritos are kind of our trademark silly snack for adventures… and boy o boy were they a hit with the rest of our crew. Later that night we celebrated the 30th birthday of yours truly with some singing and blowing candles out on gluten free chocolate chip cookies. Despite being a cake lover without cake on her birthday…I’m pretty confident the wish I made on a cookie that night really will come true.

This was my first backpack experience using the Guide 40+SL, and it seriously rocked! Not only did I have the best lookin’ pack of us Betty Bear hut trippers, but this thing carried loads like a champ. Naturally, we carried jars of pasta sauce, eggs, enough booze for 9 people for 8 days (we were only there for 3), and other heavy things….so my pack on the way up wasn’t exactly light. The pack was super easy to adjust and make fit to my back perfectly. One of my favorite features is the long side zip on the main pack compartment. It allows for easy access to all innards such as extra layers, snacks, and water guns to suddenly fire at your friends. Another fabulous feature which I did not (stupidly) take advantage of this trip is the capability to hold a water reservoir. I ended up clipping my bottles to the outside of my pack, but next time I will totally use my reservoir instead! Overall, the Guide 40+SL is a perfect pack for a weekend backpack trip such as this. Any bigger and I probably would have (again stupidly) tried to bring the kitchen sink. Any smaller, and I might have 27 things dangling from the outside like a total rookie. Perfection, Guide 40+, just about perfection…

Our first night brought snow. We woke up to it falling peacefully and it continued until it was 10 inches deep. The snow was light and fluffy. It tasted delicious and was fun to run and jump into. When the sun came out, it sparkled like mad, bringing a whole new appreciation for glitter blowing off the trees and illuminating the ground in all directions. We went sledding on big snow shovels, completed a jigsaw puzzle, wrote silly poems, frolicked around the hut, and just plain ol’ had a really great time. Our hike out was absolutely breathtaking… snowy aspen trees, bright blue sky, and a group of hikers snowshoeing through untouched trails high in the mountain splendor.

So, if you have never experienced a Colorado hut, I suggest you do.  It really was a magical blend of fun, relaxation, spirit, and Mother Nature. Once your there, there are no such things as phones and watches. The “real world” melts away and you’re left with a whole lot of passion, laughter, and teamwork. Thank you to Betty Bear, my friends, and Deuter for making this one of the best weekends I’ve had in a long time… til next time, folks…

–Becky Marcelliano (Outdoor Ambassador).

Big enough for everything but the kitchen sink!

• Learn all about the Guide 40+SL at Deuter.com
• Pick one up from Summit Hut
• Grab your own at Backcountry.com

Knowing that we just had a few things to pick up at the local food co-op and the weather had been unseasonably warm for a Colorado January winter day, and a bike ride was certainly within the realm of possibility. So we loaded Masen up in the old Schwinn Eric picked up at a yard sale last summer.

She has a wee-ride seat that puts her at the front of the action and she loves it. It is easy to have a conversation with her when she is sitting ‘shotgun‘ and these have been some of the best times we shared together last summer.

On the back rack, we had the Deuter Rack Pack Grocery bag. This is a very convenient, efficient and useful pannier-like bag that easily attaches and removes from the rack.

The pack is collapsible so that when it isn’t in use, you can easily stow it in the garage, in the pantry, or in the overflowing gear room… Its got great reflectors around it on the front, back and sides so that the evening commutes are made safer – you’d obviously need some flashing lights as well, but every little bit of visibility helps!

The elastic that is used to attach to the pack is substantial – this won’t easily break down, guaranteeing you years of service. The shoulder strap is comfortable, adjustable and, with a load of 15 pounds of groceries, quite manageable.

Aside from the qualities of the workmanship of the Deuter products, the great thing about this experience was being able to instill in Masen the expectation that a quick trip to the store needn’t involve the car. Instead it could be a fun bike ride!

Once at the store, picking the bag off the rack, taking it in, filling it with our goods and biking home saved fuel, exhaust, plastic (or paper, your choice) bags. But it was also a lesson in enjoyment, exercise and sustainability. Something Deuter has helped us share with our family!

–Eric Odell and Meegan Flenniken (Family Ambassadors).

Run your errands with your kid by bike!

• Learn all about the Rack Pack Grocery Bag at Deuter.com
• Pick one up from Summit Hut
• Grab your own at Rocky Mountain Trail
• Shop at Rock Creek

A year ago, Chris and I got to spend a month in Crested Butte, my haunt from yesteryear. Though kids were in tow, we managed to sneak in a few days of skiing, and CB had a decent base which was encouraging.

One day, with a five-hour window, we ventured to Schuykill Ridge with our friend John Barney.

It had been a few days since it had last snowed, and showers were in the forecast. Not far from town we found a few extra inches and were excited by any prospect of a face shot.

Schuykill is a blink of an eye or a pre-work run for many locals, it was something we savored in each step. John is someone I’ve come to trust over the years as a knowledgeable local who is not afraid to change his route based on what we see. He also offered the benefit of a willingness to share a beloved personal stash with us “has-been” locals.

We had a pleasant hike up, a nice little lunch as we watched the next front slowly approach, then I got to watch John drop in and almost disappear- under the snow, that is. Granted he’s a foot shorter than me so his face shot was a hip shot for me, but that still didn’t detract from the sheer bliss of a few hundred light, bouncy, effortless, champagne turns.

The right gear always helps- my now archaic Phat Luv’s, my need-to-be-worked-on Garmonts, and my new Deuter Cruise 26 SL. The pack carried nicely especially since I typically carry too much unnecessary gear and not enough essentials…nothing a few more days of practice in the backcountry can’t solve!

I’ve struggled to find a pack that has the shovel handy without impeding access to other gear, and the Cruise addresses this dilemma with the back panel rear entry. It’s not perfect, as I prefer top access to rear entry. I’ll have to give it another go or 2 (or 30) this year to dial that in.

The SL is a slim cut and specializes in women’s hips and dimensions. I’m a tricky size since I have the hips part but I’m tall with fairly wide shoulders. The SL seems to like a narrower shoulder width. Still, I think this fits better than a typical men’s or unisex pack.

I know I should be following the rocker trend for skis, but until I can afford to expand my already underutilized quiver, I’m coasting on my 8-year old boards but at this point, who cares?

–Ellie Booher (Family Ambassador). Ellie also blogs at her family site, The Booh Crew.

Ditch the kids and hit the backcountry!

• Learn all about the Cruise 26SL at Deuter.com
• Pick one up from Summit Hut
• Grab your own at Rocky Mountain Trail

When facing 40 days of Himalayan mountaineering, every ounce truly counts, and comfort is paramount.

As such, NOLS Training Manager and instructor Evan Horn was particularly excited about the Deuter Aircontact (recently updated!) as he embarked on a Himalayan Mountaineering Traverse course. He was pleased to find program pack he borrowed from NOLS would meet his needs on a self-contained mountaineering expedition while allowing him to cut weight.

“I was excited because it was a light pack with heavy stays,” he said. “I could put a lot into it and it still wasn’t going to weigh a lot and still transfer the load to my hips.”

The fit of his particular pack can also be attributed to the Deuter SL (slim line or short length). Designed for the average athletic female, this line is also great for slim men like Horn and youth.

Aside from fit, the Aircontact SL met Horn’s need for light and simple. He had set out to travel as light as possible for a high-mountain mountaineering adventure, including such steps as packing a quilt rather than a sleeping bag (tougher than this writer!).

Though the backpack and quilt held out, the group found itself a little too “lightweight” at a crucial point in the expedition. After making their way into the high mountains of the Himalaya, about 20 days of glaciated camping, and expedition-style climbing and ferrying loads over two large passes, the group found itself facing the height of the expedition. After traversing Dhana Dura, or Shepherd’s Pass, all that would remain was a gentle, short hike out.

However, camped on a glacier at 17,500, where fuel is essential to hydration, the course found itself surprising low during a fuel inventory. Whether it was a leak, an unattended stove, or something else, Horn didn’t know, but they all knew it was imperative to get to more habitable terrain before what remained was gone and they could no longer melt snow for water. Because they were on their final established camp before attempting the pass, they were faced with the choice: up and over, or retreat. The course and instructor team decided to base its decision on the next morning’s weather.

They woke to a white out.

But Horn suggested postponing the retreat. He proposed giving it a shot for 45 minutes. If the weather didn’t let up, turning would seem easier—more justified. If it did, well, then they’d be glad they gave it a shot.

Forty-five minutes later, the cloud ceiling sunk below the mountaineers, “and we had a calm, sunny descent,” Horn smiled.

The students and instructors quickly left snow for dry terrain (with fresh water and access to fuel), from isolation to rural India’s culture of generosity as they made their way through welcoming villages below Dhana Dura. The stark differences between the two settings stood out to Horn.

“It was interesting to navigate the cultural wilderness and the true wilderness in the high mountains very far away from any outside help,” he noted. Good thing he could pack all the help he needed into his pack.

To learn more about the Aircontact Packs

• • Learn more about the new Aircontact packs.
  • Pick up your own AirContact pack and learn how to get a FREE Wash Bag I toiletry bag with purchase.

From the moment he launched his law career until he and his wife had a kid, Dave Faux lived a typical city slicker life. Museums. Movies. Fine dining. But when the baby came along, he bought a Deuter Kid Comfort III and began hitting the trail. His wife joined him. Today he dreams of climbing the world’s peaks and skiing powder (who doesn’t?). For now his adventures are of the urban type, and we’re proud to have him join our talented team of family ambassadors.

Dave practices intellectual property, entertainment, art, and business/commercial law. Prior to becoming an attorney, he spent several years as a music journalist and a publicist in the Northwest. He holds both a Master of Science and a Master of Arts degree and spent a year in South Korea on a Fulbright fellowship.

Name / Age / Location / Nickname  
Dace H. Faux / 42 / Forest Hills, NY (Queens)

What is your core sport(s)?  
Running and hiking

What is your most epic outdoor adventure to date?  
I spent a week off of Scott Lake in Oregon’s Willamette National Forest—not the Scott Lake Campground. I was off-trail. And it was just me. Maybe it was not epic in terms of physical rigor, but definitely epic in the Thoreau-esque sense of getting to know one’s place on the planet and in the world.

What is your “go-to” Deuter product?  
Easily the Kid Comfort III. This absolutely re-invigorated hiking for my wife Kaori and me. Ironically, we hadn’t really hiked together. We had a typical city-centered romance of museums, movies, and fine dining. Then we got married and had a kid. I got the KCIII without consulting her and prought it home for use during my Saturday Daddy-Daycare shift. But Kaori has come on every hike and it has been an unexpected boon, adding to an already fulfilling marriage.

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A normal winter in our neck of the woods typically includes 2-3 feet of snow and temperatures in the negatives. This winter has been downright balmy.

We had been psyching ourselves up for snow shoeing and cross country skiing with the Kid Comfort III, but without snow, there’s no skiing.

So we turned to Plan B: a hike up Menan Butte, a dormant volcano. The hike is roughly three miles round trip, with more than 700 feet of elevation gain. We hurriedly threw things in the Kid Comfort III, dressed the kid, and ran out of the house. Parenting outdoor fun Rule #1: Don’t rush. Four blocks from home, we realized we had forgotten Ky’s mittens—kind of an essential when it is 23 degrees outside. Rule #2: consider naptime. Actually, I don’t know what the rule is on this one. Five minutes before pulling into the trailhead, Ky’s eyes closed, and we debated whether to head home to allow him to sleep.

What kind of adventure would that be? On we went, and as soon as we turned off the car, he woke up. Ky began the hike in the Kid Comfort, and halfway up insisted that he walk on his own with Mom’s trekking poles. After about 15 minutes, Ky was done with his independent streak and wanted Mom to carry him in the pack.

Here’s why the Kid Comfort III works so well for us: the Variquick adjustment system makes transitions like these quick and simple.

Once we reached the rim of the volcano the wind picked up initiating our retreat back to the car. Minus his cold hands (Rule #3: go home and get the gloves you forgot) Ky was not too affected by the wind and even dozed off on the way back down.

The snow gods must have been pleased. A few days later, we traveled to Harriman State Park to do some Nordic skiing. We bundled Ky up in layers—long underwear, fleece and a shell—and threw in the instant hand warmers. (We attach them to the car vents, and then crank up the air to warm them up before arriving at the trailhead). Slip them into junior’s mittens, and he won’t get cold fingers.

Another tip: wrap the kid and the Kid Comfort in a down coat—snuggly and warm! It is fun to ski with your kid on your back. Ky was up and in the action (as opposed to sitting back in a trailer alone and closed off). We could keep close tabs on his comfort and needs.

In all, we LOVE our Kid Comfort III for all of our family backcountry adventures. This pack is the Cadillac of all kid carriers with ample storage and extreme comfort. As with all gear, there is room for improvement. Namely, how about the addition of stirrups (currently Ky uses the hip belt to rest his feet)? We also found the mesh pockets are too small to hold a standard 32oz water bottle. Good thing there’s the hydration bladder pouch, but sometimes a water bottle works best for families.

–Corey King (Family Ambassador). Follow the King’s adventures at Backcountry Parenting.

Enjoy family adventures, gloves not included.

• Learn all about the Kid Comfort III at Deuter.com
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• Grab your own at Summit Hut
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