Entries by Marc Beverly

Avalanche Transceivers (beacons) and Batteries

2025-04-15 in /by

Battery Entrenchment Quandry Batteries have been a contentious issue in regards to avalanche transceivers over the years. One reason is the reliability of their performance and metrics is variable. So, those who use transceivers must carry extra batteries once they approach around 60% of their life cycle. Why? Because if you have to perform a […]

Taos Backcountry Ski update 09 Feb 2025

2025-02-08 in , /by

It’s always interesting to me that when it snows in NM in October that everyone thinks winter skiing will be great. Well, that may or may not be true. The fact is that it’s unusual for NM to have regular snowfall to keep the October storm’s snow from turning into the dreadful facets that can […]

Backcountry Skiing in Taos

2024-12-24 in /by

Backcountry Skiing in Taos, it’s as good as it gets in NM. Just ask Marc Beverly, he wrote the book on it and has been providing guided backcountry skiing and avalanche courses longer than anyone in New Mexico. You’ll see all of our lines, first descents, and secret stashes when you grab hold of this […]

Recalled Avalanche Transceivers (Beacons)

2024-11-11 in /by

It seems there is another recall on avalanche transceivers. This time it is with Mammut, and this is their first. The recall has to do with an alignment of the switch and being potentially problematic, not something desirable during an emergency. So, you need to exchange your Barryvox 2 or Barryvox 2S from the 2024-2025 […]

UIAA in the USA and ICAR

2014-10-21 in /by

So, the time has come. Taking the next step is always daunting. Last year I decided to become a part of the solution and invested myself into the Union International Association ‘d Alpinism (UIAA). Becoming part of the Ice Climbing Commission as a Full Member wasn’t enough. I was asked to run for the Executive […]

Ice Mixed Climbing Grades

2014-01-23 in /by

    ICE MIXED GRADES Grades have since become a contentious issue. Here’s my take: Since Jeff Lowe set the first proper mixed rock and ice climb in Vail, Colorado, “Octopussy”, and was given the grade of M8 (mixed 8), people climbed “like” routes and the grades were similar. Then Will Gadd and Ben Firth, […]

Chasing the Sun

2014-01-12 in /by

Having climbed ice since the 90’s, I barely touch the medium these days as it’s now simply a small part of the mixed regime. As with all disciplines of climbing, there is evolution. When leash-less tools began the mixed climbing rage, I made the decision to get involved. Jeff Lowe needed help setting a competition route in Jan […]