Gear Reviews
Hayes Buxton
Montana

Home: Bozeman, MT Work: Professional ski patroller, full-time student
Range: Madison, Bridger, Flint
Tool of choice: Telemark
Age: 33
Weight: 185
Height: 6’3”
Backcountry Days: 25
Resort Days: 25
Theme music: Widespread Panic’s version of “Travelin’ Light” or “Diner.”
An interesting fact: “The way I rant about traffic in Bozeman.”
Big-Day Breakfast: Oatmeal and English muffin with jam. “I’m better off eating light and then snacking all day.




Epic day: “There was one backcountry day with a buddy of mine from Scandinavia that stands out. We climbed up and over Bacon Rind Ridge, then Earnest Miller Ridge just outside Yellowstone National Park. EM Ridge slides every year, but almost always has excellent skiing."

Body Climate: “I usually find myself wearing fewer layers than most folks so I’m colder when stopped. So overall, I’d say I have a tendency to be warmer when wearing equivalent clothing. With fewer layers on, I tend to sweat less than most folks. I have a tendency to wear an untreated soft shell or just a thick shirt when I can get away with it, even when it’s quite cold out. I’d rather be drier and slightly chilled than wet and warm. The stench on my poly-pro tells me I definitely perspire though, especially on warm spring days.”
Prescription:
To split the difference between being too hot or cold, Hayes might do well skinning with Marmot’s Infinity Silkweight Crew (marmot.com) under Eider’s Epsilon Soft Shell (eider-world.com). On cold days, he can throw on OR’s Trance Down Sweater (orgear.com) when he stops, then stuff it easily back into his pack.

Marmot’s Infinity Silkweight Crew

Eider’s Epsilon Soft Shell

OR’s Trance Down Sweater
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Mountain Climate: “I pretty much work, ski and hike in Southwestern Montana—the Madisons, Bridgers, Tobbaco Roots, Beartooths and the Flint Range near Discovery Ski Area. So the overall climate is semi-arid, dry most summers, wet in the fall and spring and with lots of snow usually. Relative humidity is generally pretty low with average temperatures anywhere from the teens to mid sixties depending on the time of year.”
Prescription:
Millet’s Gore-Tex XCR K Pants (millet.fr) are light for touring but rugged enough for patrolling and will suit Hayes well both in resort and out. For the same reasons, Eider’s Twiller Jacket (eider-world.com) is a solid go-to piece for inclement weather, but is lean enough to leave in the pack. So he doesn’t get too hot patrolling, Hayes could do well with Smartwool’s Microweight Bottoms (smartwool.com), which are light, warm and breathable.

Eider’s Twiller Jacket

Millet’s Gore-Tex XCR K Pants

Smartwool’s Microweight Bottoms
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