TEST PILOT SPOTLIGHT: RUBEN RUCKMAN

My name is Ruben Ruckman and I am an architect living in Culver City, California with my wife (we were belay partners first), two kids (named after local mountain ranges) and dog. As an architect and designer, I've had the good fortune to work on everything from large museums down to chairs and skateboards. Previously I worked in furniture design and manufacturing, and more recently helped design a unique perforated skateboard deck that uses recycled ocean fishing nets.

I grew up in the high desert north of LA, climbing bolted sandstone sport routes at Devil's Punchbowl. Surfing took precedence for me once I moved to the coast, and I stopped climbing for several years. Recently I've returned to my roots - climbing (trad and sport) and backpacking. I also just started distance running last year, and am surprised how much I am enjoying it.

I'm interested in more backcountry alpine/trad adventures in the High Sierra. It's amazing how quickly you can get out into the middle of nowhere. I love this feeling, and I hope to find a way to share this with my kids when they're ready (and not before then.)

Backpacking, scrambling and climbing in the Eastern Sierra, Mt Russell, Dragon Peak, North Ridge of Mt Conness, Williamson, the Nāpali coast in flip flops, trekking in the Himalayas, surfing Tarantulas on a nice winter day, finding myself alone on the outer reef at Tunnels in decent surf.

Hard to say! I'm in Florence boardshorts and the Sun Pro Long Sleeve nonstop during summer. During the colder months, I'd have to go with my Primaloft Anorak - it's a great lightweight midlayer that doubles as my pillow at night in the backcountry.