For adventurers Bryce Jones and Alex Page, the backcountry has always been a source of challenge and inspiration. As climbers and explorers, they frequently encountered a fundamental problem: staying connected in remote and rugged environments. In 2017, a climb on Castleton Tower in Utah brought the issue into sharp focus.
“That day, there was a guy above us who was attempting to repel the route we were climbing on, but his rope wasn't long enough,” recalls Jones. “He was dangling at the bottom of his rope, trying to yell up to his partner to let him know he was stuck, but his partner was too far away and couldn't hear him. Alex and I witnessed this communication breakdown on the wall and it kicked off a long conversation for us that day. We were like, why aren't walkie-talkies more common for climbing?”
Jones and Page had brought radios that day, but they had failed to hold up, running out of battery before they reached the summit. This frustrating experience planted the seeds for what would become Rocky Talkie. By late 2019, Jones and Page launched the company in Denver with a clear goal: to create a reliable, durable, and easy-to-use radio for adventurers.
Building the perfect radio was no easy task—especially for two founders without prior experience in radio technology. But Alex and Bryce approached the challenge with the same passion and determination they bring to their outdoor adventures. Alex’s PhD in Physics provided the scientific expertise, while Bryce’s MBA offered a strong foundation in business strategy. Together, their complementary skill sets proved to be the perfect combination for tackling the challenge head-on.
“Since day one, our process has been to prototype, test, and then iterate,” Jones explains. One key challenge was designing the push-to-talk button. “We knew we wanted our push-to-talk button on the radio to be large and easy to press while wearing winter gloves. But we also wanted it well protected, so it couldn't be damaged in the outdoors or pressed accidentally.”
The result of this process was the Mountain Radio, a device tailored explicitly for climbing, skiing, hiking, and other outdoor pursuits. Lightweight, rugged, and efficient, it quickly earned a loyal following among backcountry enthusiasts.
As Rocky Talkie gained popularity, customers began requesting features that would suit other types of adventures. “We would frequently get messages those first couple of years for people who loved the radio but wanted a fully waterproof radio for water sports and a GMRS radio for higher power output,” says Jones.
These requests inspired the development of the 5 Watt Radio. This model boasts an IP67 waterproof rating, making it fully submersible, and its increased power output allows for greater range and clarity. Whether used on a rafting expedition or a remote hunting trip, the 5 Watt Radio represents a significant leap in functionality. “We're super proud to have a great option for nearly any adventure and anyone looking for better communication on the water or in the backcountry,” Jones adds.
Rocky Talkie’s commitment to adventurers goes beyond providing reliable communication tools. Since its inception, the company has pledged to donate $2 from every radio sold to search-and-rescue (SAR) teams across the United States, culminating in over $200,000 of direct support.
“We admire that group of individuals so much,” says Jones. “I don't think most people realize that rescue teams are nearly entirely volunteer-based, and most are quite underfunded and reliant on donations. Yet there's more and more people going into the backcountry each year. That means there's more and more lives that volunteer search and rescue teams are saving.”
Looking ahead, Rocky Talkie is focused on scaling production of the 5 Watt Radio, which has been so popular that it temporarily sold out in 2024. The team is also developing a range of new accessories, including headsets and mounts, to enhance the functionality of both their Mountain and 5 Watt radios.
As Rocky Talkie continues to innovate, its mission remains clear: to give adventurers the confidence to push their limits in the backcountry through improved communication. Through thoughtful design, rigorous testing, and a dedication to providing a portion of sales to SAR teams that keep people safe, Rocky Talkie empowers adventurers to explore boldly and responsibly.
To learn more, visit RockyTalkie.com