2007 Apparel Testers

By early fall, samples of new backcountry clothing threatened to overwhelm the backroom at BC world headquarters and billowed over skis, obscuring the rowing ergometer. How to make sense of it all? This year, we’ve gotten personal.

Apparel Reviewers 2007

We recruited seven backcountry skiers and riders who weren't averse to playing a little dress up. We assessed each person's body climate (do they run hot or cold, sweat less or more, etc.), their mountain climate (where they live), and how they choose to spend their time in the hills. For example, Emilie Drinkwater lives and works in New York's Adirondacks. Factoring in her body specifics, we raided the back room and outfitted her with the best of this year's duds.

The choices we make when dressing for a ski day are based on more than just synthetic versus down, hard shell versus soft. Where we live, how we work and play in the backcountry, and the uniqueness of our own physiologies are all key elements for determining what we need. For some of us, it's second nature. But for those who haven't made up their minds, need a new layer, or just haven't found a system that really works for them, we think this get-acquainted approach will be helpful.

–The Editors

Paul LaPerriere British Columbia Home: Courtenay, British ColumbiaAbode: “Finally, a house after eight years on and off in my van.” Range: Vancouver Island/Coast Range Tool of choice: Telemark Age: 30 Weight: 165 Height: 5’ 7” Work: Avalanche Awareness Course Instructor; Ski Guide; Wilderness Guide Backcountry Days: 30 (typically, a lot more in a better season than last.) Resort Days: 30 Cross-country days: 20 Ideal Group Size: 3 Favorite apres-ski event: Ping-pong sessions Theme music: Led Zeppelin (the early years) and AC/DC Big-Day Breakfast: Banana, berry smoothie and eggs over-easy, doused with Louisiana hot sauce.

Emilie Drinkwater New York Home: Keene, New York Work: Rock and Ice Guide Range: Adirondacks Backcountry pursuits: Telemark, Ice Climbing Age: 29 Weight: 145 Height: 5’ 11” Backcountry Days: 20 Resort Days: 10 Ice climbing days: 30 Ideal Group Size: 3 Powder or corn: Corn Last book read: Savage Summit Big-Day Breakfast: Bagels and peanut butter.

Aaron Gams Wyoming Home: Jackson, WY Range: The Tetons Tool of choice: AT Age: 34 Weight: 170 Height: 6’3” Work: Professional Ski Patroller, Neuromuscular Therapist Backcountry Days: 30 Resort Days (including work): 50 Worst ski movie he’s ever seen: “Generally speaking, any of the Huckfest Gnarly Brah films.” Theme music: For uphill, Marley’s “Concrete Jungle,” and Guns N’ Roses’ “Welcome to the Jungle” for the way down. An interesting fact: “I have only two toenails.” Big-Day Breakfast: “Half an avocado, with pepper jack cheese and cracked pepper on toast, and back it up with granola and rice milk.”

Becky Stirling Colorado Home: Basalt, Colorado Abode: a rarely seen home, many couches, hotels and tents Range: Colorado Rocky Mountains Tool of choice: AT Age: 33 Weight: 125 Height: 5’4” Work: Property Investment (ex ski racer and ski coach) Backcountry Days: 20 Resort Days: 30 Ideal b.c. group size: 3 Favorite apres-ski event: stretching by a fireplaceWorst ski movie ever seen: The video from my college ski team’s training camp! Theme music: B-52’s Big-Day Breakfast: Beet/carrot/apple/berry/yogurt/etc. smoothie, scrambled eggs and toast, COFFEE.

Chris Gallardo California Home: Rescue, California Range: Tahoe, Eastern and Southern Sierras Tool of choice: Splitboard Age: 33 Weight: 155 Height: 5’ 7” Backcountry Days: 50 Resort Days: 3 Ideal Group Size: 4-5 Powder or Corn: Powder Big-Day Breakfast: “Depends where I’m headed, most days I’ll just grab something quick and easy from home like coffee, bananas and some oatmeal. Other days I’ll stop at the local coffee house or greasy spoon for a big breakfast.”

Margaret Wheeler Washington Home: North Bend, WA Abode: Hoping to build a green one someday, even though solar panels only work three months of the year in western Washington. Work: Ski, Rock, and Alpine Guide; AIARE Instructor, AMGA Ski Discipline Instructor Range: Cascades Tool of choice: AT Age: 31 Weight: 155 Height: 6’ Backcountry Days: 50 (guiding and personal together) Resort Days: 20 Climbing days on ice/rock: 40…and counting. Ideal b.c. group size: 2 or 3 Favorite apres-ski event: Disco dancing. Techno dancing. Both. Interesting facts: I own a disco ball…and I work as a mechanical engineer part-time. Theme music: Remember the Barbie Song from Aqua? Big-Day Breakfast: Those country-style breakfasts, where you get two of each food group; i.e. sausage, eggs, pancakes, potatoes. Except the truth is a guiding breakfast usually falls way short and lands somewhere in the oatmeal/breakfast bar regime.

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.