As the year comes to a close, I suspect we all find ourselves pausing to reflect on what 2025 has meant for the avalanche, climbing, and broader mountain community. Not to neatly summarize it though. Years like this don’t fit cleanly into highlights and low points,...
Blog Archive Month: December 2025
California Mountain Guides Blog Archive
The Mental Side of the Mountains: Risk, Fear, and Decision-Making
How It All Begins - The Storm Is Coming Many are feeling a mix of relief, excitement, and anticipation about this week’s snowstorm finally moving in along the West Coast. After a slow and inconsistent start to winter, fresh snow in the forecast (and an abundance of...
Reflections on Working in Adventure Tourism Beyond the Summit
Finding Purpose Outside the Typical Path For a long time, I followed the path that felt expected. I finished school, stepped into a corporate job, bought a nice car, and started climbing the ladder. From the outside, everything looked good. On paper, it made sense....
Pre-Season Backcountry Ski & Snowboard Maintenance: Now Is The Time To Get Your Gear Ready
Winter is finally starting to creep back into the mountains, so now is the perfect time to give your backcountry setup a little pre-season TLC. I thought it might be useful for me to go through my pre-season ski maintenance routine with everyone who is willing to...
Waxed, Tuned, and Left Unread: A Winter Reality Check for Early-Season Skiers
Picture this: I’m sitting in the garage, door cracked open just enough for the cold air to sneak in, staring at skis that have been waxed so many times I’m pretty sure they’re shinier than my wife’s car. The bench is covered with the usual chaos: a half-gone bar of...