Wil Rickards
Wil was born in North Wales and steeped in its rich maritime, mountain and river folklore. In response to the request to “get a real job” he became first a teacher then professor of adventure education.
He then emigrated to where the sun shines for 300 days and snowfalls for 100 (Colorado). During more than 25 years as an outdoor educator, he worked Scottish winter seasons, taught canoeing, climbing, kayaking, and skiing throughout the States, Europe, and Australia. He also regenerated the University of Alaska Anchorage’s Outdoor Education program. His biggest adventure (by far) is fatherhood. It has also been the inspiration for his website www.wherethefruitis.com.
Things he likes to do include (middle) aging gracefully, and skiing (telemark) aggressively. He is happiest outdoors with a good view, good company, good weather/snow and the residue of self-powered adventure; sweat, a manic grin, and wild eyes. 
Articles by Wil Rickards
Drawing on his Welsh roots and 25+ years as an outdoor educator across Scotland, Europe, Australia, and the American West, Wil writes with a wry, distinctive voice about the gear that supports his backcountry skiing, splitboarding, and self-powered adventures. His work on Engearment leans heavily toward avalanche safety, backcountry touring, and gear that has to work in the wild places he calls home.
The Wool Wear Gift Guide: A Warm Hug for the Outdoor Heart
November 19, 2025 — Wil digs into his Welsh lineage and rounds up his recent favorite items made from this magical fabric, with the kind of wit that makes you want to read a gift guide for fun.
Valentine’s Day Gift Guide 2022 – Thoughtful Backcountry Gift Ideas
February 10, 2022 — Wil rounds up gift ideas through the lens of love languages, focused on the backcountry skier in your life.
Weston Summit Skis – Fun and Encouraging Backcountry Skis
February 7, 2022 — Wil reviews the Weston Summit as fun, encouraging backcountry skis for the touring crowd.
Camp Nanotech
August 9, 2021 — Wil reviews Camp’s Nanotech ice axe, weighing it as a piece of technical kit for backcountry mountaineering.
BCA Float 32 Airbag Pack – Great Touring Daypack
June 23, 2021 — Wil reviews the BCA Float 32 as a touring daypack with built-in airbag protection for backcountry days.
La Sportiva Avok Hoody – The Golden Ticket
June 21, 2021 — Wil reviews the La Sportiva Avok Hoody, calling it a golden-ticket layering piece for active mountain pursuits.
Outdoor Master Pro Plus Goggles
June 18, 2021 — Wil reviews the Outdoor Master Pro Plus Goggles, weighing optical clarity and value at a budget-friendly price point.
Gordini Spring and Gordini Cache Gauntlet Gloves – Perfect Fit
June 17, 2021 — Wil tests the Gordini Spring and Cache Gauntlet gloves against his three-criteria standard: warmth-to-dexterity ratio, durability, and not losing them.
Tread Labs Pace Insoles – Comfortable Feet For the Win
June 15, 2021 — Despite his initial skepticism that insoles could ever be interesting to write about, Wil makes the case for the Tread Labs Pace as a quiet upgrade to any pair of shoes.
Rocky Talkie – Why you want to consider “comms” and why these are the real deal
March 28, 2021 — Wil reviews Rocky Talkie radios and makes the broader case for why backcountry communications matter.
Xero Aqua X Sport: a water sport aficionado and traveler’s dream
March 18, 2021 — Wil reviews the Xero Aqua X Sport as a water-sport-and-travel-friendly minimalist shoe.
Xero Xcursion Fusion Boot – Awesome Minimalist Waterproof Shoes
March 11, 2021 — Wil reviews the Xero Xcursion Fusion Boot as a minimalist waterproof option that punches above its weight.
Bolle Chronoshield Sunglasses – Incredible Optics
December 12, 2020 — Wil reviews the Bolle Chronoshield with a focus on the optics that make them stand out from the pack.
BCA Snow Study Kit – Essential and Powerful Backcountry Toolkit
December 6, 2020 — Starting from the position that backcountry travel will never be truly safe, Wil reviews the BCA Snow Study Kit as a key tool for mitigating the risks that come with riding wild places.
Leki Helicon Lite Pole – More Bang for Your Buck and Bounce for the Ounce
November 18, 2020 — Wil reviews the Leki Helicon Lite Pole, weighing the dollar-and-gram math that backcountry travelers know all too well.
Rab Superlight Shelter 4 – The Most Useful Thing You Didn’t Know you Needed
November 17, 2020 — Wil makes the case for the Rab Superlight Shelter 4 as a piece of group-emergency kit that punches well above its weight.
BCA T4 Avalanche Rescue Package – A Great Kit
October 26, 2020 — Wil reviews the BCA T4 Avalanche Rescue Package as a complete beacon-shovel-probe kit for getting started in the backcountry.
Take the Pledge: Supporting Friends of CAIC and making smart backcountry choices
September 17, 2020 — Wil writes about supporting Friends of CAIC and the importance of making smart backcountry decisions.
Six Moon Designs Swift X: Carrying comfort in a light package
September 5, 2020 — Wil reviews the Six Moon Designs Swift X as a light backpack that doesn’t sacrifice carrying comfort.
Decathlon: Why a Brit in the US is happy buying French
August 30, 2020 — Wil writes about Decathlon as a brand from a Brit-in-the-US perspective, weighing what makes the French chain a sound bet for outdoor gear.