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Dear Santa 2004
'Tis the season for giving the gift of...GEAR! Whether those on your list hike, ski, climb, paddle, or just like to see the world, there's no end to the cool stuff that you can give them. But where to start shopping? Right here, of course. The all-knowing Gear Guy has sifted through endless mounds of swag to come up with his list of sure-fire gifts to land you in everybody's good graces.

By Douglas Gantenbein

Gifts for the Gearhead With Everything

Marmot Phenomenon EL Jacket ($750; www.marmot.com):
All the other reindeers wouldn't have been so standoffish if Rudolph'd been wearing this—a bomber three-layer Gore XCR fabric with five electro-luminescent panels that glow for up to 12 hours off four AAA batteries, adding a valuable safety feature if you're lost in the dark. Other features that make the Phenomenon noteworthy include an integrated hood and interior bottle pockets.
Light & Motion ARC Li-Ion HID Light ($499; www.bikelights.com):
Nocturnal singletrackers hoping to chase down Santa's sleigh would be wise to rig up the ARC, a blindingly bright light cannon that burns for nearly four hours on one charge. Adaptable to helmets or handlebars, and new this year is a lighter battery.
Black Diamond Havoc Telemark/Randonee Skis ($569; www.blackdiamondequipment.com) and Scarpa T2 Boots ($479; www.scarpa-us.com):
The perfect combination for shredding the backcountry. Scarpa's T2s give you terrific control even in the deepest crud, while the Havoc is a big, powerful ski that has two tips for easy back-sliding when maneuverability counts.
Valandré La Fayette 550 Sleeping Bag ($539; www.valandre.com):
Cold winter nights? Not with the La Fayette 550. This sleeping bag has it all: superb construction, clever design that minimizes drafts, and mounds of fluffy down. And all in a bag that's still lighter (two pounds three ounces) than many summer-weight sleeping cylinders. Ho, ho, ho.
ACR Electronics RapidFix 406 EPIRB with GPS Interface ($910; www.acrelectronics.com):
No sea kayaker or boater wants to be marooned, overboard or otherwise, in dire straits. But if that happens, the RapidFix 406 can get you out. It's a marine-ready emergency locator beacon that automatically floats upright for maximum antenna transmission. An on-board GPS guides rescuers to within 100 yards of your location.

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