About Ridgeline
What you need to know before you go outside.
I'm a photographer and part-time trail guide based in Colorado. I spend roughly 200 days a year outside — on trails, in the backcountry, on water, or driving between all of the above. Ridgeline is where I write about what I've learned from all that time in the field.
The focus here is practical. Trail reports from places I've actually been. Gear breakdowns based on things I've actually used. UV and eye protection advice grounded in real conditions, not lab specs. I'm particularly obsessed with eyewear because after years of squinting through cheap sunglasses at altitude, I learned the hard way that your eyes take cumulative damage you can't undo.
This site isn't a gear review mill. I don't do listicles. I don't rank things I haven't tested. If something shows up here, it's because I have a genuine opinion about it formed from experience.
The name "Ridgeline" comes from the moment on a hike where you crest the ridge and the whole valley opens up in front of you. That's the feeling I want this site to give you — the sense that you can see further because you know what you're looking at.
What you'll find here
Field Notes — Trail reports and destination guides with practical eyewear considerations for specific conditions.
Gear — Honest breakdowns of lens technology, frame types, and what actually matters when you're choosing eyewear for specific activities.
UV Intel — The science behind UV exposure, altitude effects, and long-term eye health — explained without jargon.
Packing Lists — Activity-specific lists that tell you what to bring and, just as importantly, what to leave behind.
Get in touch
If you've got a trail recommendation, a question about gear, or you just want to say hey — reach out. The best way is through the newsletter. I read every reply.