Mark Smiley and the Black Diamond QC lab are well known tinkerers. Smiley often presents gear mods (both soft and hard goods) via social media, whereas BD has conducted lab tests on topics like the risks of twisted ropes or the strength of certain ice screw placements. The QC Lab’s Matt Berry and Smiley, to…
BD and Smiley Provide Useful Information on Building Effective Snow Anchors

Screengrab: BD QC Lab
Help us grow. Share it.
Latest Features
-

Ryan Griffiths, somewhere cold. Photo: Aidan Whitelaw
The High Route Podcast
The Progression Episode with Ryan Griffiths
-

Teton shadows extending toward the Gros Ventre.
Public Lands and the Touring Scene
A look at proposed rule changes in the public lands space that could affect the touring scene.
-

Aerial view of the snow drought in Colorado's Rocky Mountains on March 4, 2026. Photo: Mitch Tobin
The High Route Podcast: The Snow and Water Episode
With Journalist Mitch Tobin.


Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.