Alex Marshall
Alex was born and raised wandering the mountains of central Idaho. He spent his 20’s working in the outdoor industry as a river guide, ski patroller, and in wilderness therapy. Currently he is a paramedic with an interest in wilderness medicine and he dabbles in photography and writing. He enjoys long days in the mountains trail running, fast packing, rafting, backcountry skiing, mountain biking, and fly fishing. His newest passion is introducing, some might say indoctrinating, his three children into the outdoor sports that he loves.
Rocky Talkie sitting next to BCA BC Link radio on a rock

Rocky Talkie vs BCA BC Link Walkie-Talkie Comparison

Backcountry Access and Rocky Talkie make two of the best FRS two-way radios for backcountry communication. They are both well-made and easy ...
motorola t800 and t801 walkie talkies in the dirt

Hands-on Motorola Talkabout T800 vs T801 Review (Same Thing?)

Motorola has been making radios for a long time, and that expertise shows with the Talkabout 800 and the Talkabout 801. It ...
BCA BC Link with Smart Mic

BCA BC Link Review: Backcountry Access BC Link 1.0

Even with expanding cell coverage, small hand-held radios have a place. Being able to communicate at the press of a button is ...
Five ultralight backpacks of 2023 for hiking hanging on a fence

5 Best Ultralight Backpacks of 2023 (Complete Buyer’s Guide)

Last spring and summer, I was able to test 5 of the best ultralight backpacks on the market, and they are still ...
Skier with BCA BC Link radio lapel mic clipped on front of ski jacket

Rocky Talkie: a Real-World Review

Despite the expansion of cell coverage, small handheld radios continue to have a significant role in communication. The convenience of being able ...
Man looking tired after a long hike

Ultralight Backpacking is Ridiculous

I found myself sitting around a campfire surrounded by strangers at two o’clock in the morning in the high desert just outside ...
Three backpacks--a traditional, a lightweight, and an ultra lightweight.

Backpacking Base Weight Guide (Ultralight to Traditional)

Ultralight backpacking is nothing new. In fact, Emma Gatewood, AKA Grandma Gatewood, first thru-hiked the 2,168-mile Appalachian Trail in 1955 at the ...
Man with ultralight backpack by river

Are Ultralight Backpacks Worth It? (Agenda-Free Advice)

Let me start with my personal bias. I enjoy moving quickly through the mountains, and that requires ultralight gear. So, do I ...
Fly fishing gear on rock by river

39 Best Fly Fishing Gifts (We Know They Can be Picky)

Buying gifts for the fly fisher in your life is easy. My wife might not agree with me, but let me explain. ...
Zenbivy bed next to Light Bed

Zenbivy Bed vs Light Bed Comparative Review (We Tried Both)

Zenbivy set out to make the world’s most comfortable outdoor sleeping system, and I have to admit that after using both the ...
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