Gear Test Week Update – Day 2

2012 GEAR TEST
WEDNESDAY – DAY 1  |  THURSDAY - DAY 2  |  FRIDAY: DAY 3  |  SATURDAY: DAY 4  |  SUNDAY: DAY 5

The Backcountry/Outside Gear Test Week rolled into its second day under cloudless blue skies. With the fat skis on the racks, testers had their pick of the wider half of next year's boards. And the fifty plus testers used the thick planks for crud busting in search of the remaining powder stashes.

Jeff Burke lighting it up on the G3 Empire. [Photo] Simon Peterson

Hell’s Bellows: Boot testing on Hidden Lake Peak. [Photo] Simon Peterson

The real story of the day's testing was the veritable revolving door in the boot room. Reviewers had their fill of footwear with close to fifty models of AT boots and twenty plus telemark models on the stacks—from excruciating-vice-grip fits to velvet slippers. Under burning bluebird conditions the snow began to transition from cold smoke to corn. A handful of testers made the forty-five minute boot pack up James Peak giving Backcountry Photo Editor Simon Peterson plenty of opportunity to “make testers famous” with his lens.

Bobbi Reyes hiking James Peak. [Photo] Simon Peterson

Day two wrapped up with shouts of “Happy birthday to you!” echoing down the slopes of Powder Mountain. The entire team stopped by Utah’s oldest bar, the Shooting Star, to celebrate tester Holly Howard’s birthday. The sunburned and goggle-tanned the team partook in the two-century-old traditions of the Shooting Star—beer, good company and oversized burgers—before returning to the Red Moose to recuperate for tomorrow.

Bottoms up at the Shooting Star Saloon, Utah’s oldest bar. [Photo] Simon Peterson

2012 GEAR TEST
WEDNESDAY – DAY 1  |  THURSDAY - DAY 2  |  FRIDAY: DAY 3  |  SATURDAY: DAY 4   |  SUNDAY: DAY 5