Words, Photos, and Video from Stratton Mattesons @cascadeconnections
Typically speaking, a "legit adventure" is anything but "standard issue." But how we begin or reach the starting point of one of these adventures often employs fairly common tactics: driving or flying. In 2019, in the heat of the Climate Crisis, professional backcountry snowboarder, Stratton Mattesons, decided to go “off fossil fuels,” transitioning to fully human-powered travel for everything from grocery runs to splitboard expeditions. Being a passionate advocate for getting around by what to most people are unconventional means, living in the wet climate of the Pacific Northwest, and working at high elevation requires a special and particular mix of grit, devotion, and desire. He accesses the mountains with a bicycle and splitboard–the way he believes respects the health of the environment we depend on. What's the method to this radness? Glad you asked! He put together his gear list and a walkthrough video of how he rolls.
MULTI-DAY SKI TOURING KIT
● K2 Waive boots
● Cardiff Bonsai Splitboard
● Karakoram Prime X bindings
● HMG Headwall 55 backpack
● 8 voile straps
● Collapsable ski poles
● Ice axe
● Crampons
● Auftriib ascender plates
● Black Diamond glidelite skins
● Helmet
● Goggles
● Glacier Glasses
● First aid kit
● Emergency blanket
● Karakoram bindings spare part kit
● Zip-ties
● Shovel
● Probe
● Beacon
● Paracord
● USB rechargeable headlamp
● Extra headlamp battery
● Battery pack
● BCA Link Radio
● Garmin Inreach mini
● Leatherman tool
● Multi-tool with Allen wrenches
● Mountain Flow ecowax skin wax
● Sunscreen
● Lip Balm
● Water bladder
● Hyperlite Pods for gear organization
SLEEPING AND ACCOMMODATIONS
● HMG Ground Cloth
● HMG Ultamid 2
● Thermarest NeoAir inflatable pad
● Thermarest Z lite pad
● Thermarest Oberon 0 degree sleeping bag
● Toilet paper
● Toothbrush/toothpaste
CULINARY KIT
● Jet boil
● Isobutane Canister
● Collapsible cup
● Spork
● Lighter
● Food pack
CLOTHING
● Insulated boots (for biking I use the Oboz Bridger 10)
● Down booties
● Down pants
● Down coat
● Down vest
● Mid layer
● Base layer Sun Hoody
● Long Johns
● Baseball cap
● Beanie
● Outeru gear Bala
● Outeru gear Face Glove
● Snow Pants
● Windbreaker/ gore tex coat
● Socks
● Mittens
● Mid gloves
● Thin touring gloves
BIKE KIT
● Surly Ogre Bike (3x9 DriveTrain)
● Surly Extraterrestrial 29 x 2.5 tires for spring and fall
● 49 north Wrath-Child 29 x 2.6 studded tires
● Old Man Mountain Divide Rack x 2
● Night rider 1800 lumen front light
● Night Rider Rear V Max light
● Surly handlebar bag
● Extra tube
● Bike Pump
● Flat patch kit
● Multi tool
● Tire levers
● Zip ties
● Hose clamps
● Ortlieb Classic front roller panniers 25 liter x 2
● Ortlieb Classic back roller panniers 50 liter x2
● Cargo net for attaching backpack
