It was a long, long drive, with seven people and seven backpacks piled into the chambers of a rented Dodge Caravan. 24 hours of road time, plus stops and rest breaks makes for a lot of time to think. It was the thoughts, the wonder, the curiosity, the fantasy of my boots on the dirt … More Four Pass Loop, Maroon Bells Colorado (part 1)
It’s not as easy as you think, especially when you’re on a long trip and a water source you were relying on turns up dry. Don’t panic, with a little thought and consideration you can still make it out without having to drink your own pee. Bring the right amount of water: So often people … More Staying hydrated
Grandfather mountain is only about an hour from where I live, which makes the fact that I have only visited the mountain once previously utterly absurd. To correct my act of trail blasphemy, I decided to host a hike to one of the famous peaks, Calloways Peak, on one of the less famous trails, the … More Grandfather Mountain, North Carolina, Daniel boone Scout trail.
It’s seemingly rare, the idea of doing things the hard way just because they’re harder, but that’s exactly the idea that I had. Typically, people will hike through this section from Carvers Gap to US 19E in which you basically drive to the top of the mountain before hitting the trail. Most will hike out … More Summiting Roan Mountain, NC
If there is one thing you really need to keep dry when backpacking, it’s your sleeping bag and your clothing. Here comes the Sea to Summit Dry sack to help you out, or crush your dreams. About the dry sack: The Sea to Summit eVent Compression Dry sack has simple intentions. The idea is to … More Sea To Summit eVent Compression Dry Sack review
The Sawyer Squeeze has decided to be something different. Instead of the traditional pump style water filter, Sawyer has implemented a plastic bag that can be squeezed (hence the name) which pushes water through a filter. The idea is simplicity, light weight, efficient filtering. It filters bacteria and protozoa. There is also a variation that … More Sawyer Squeeze Review
I can’t cover this topic enough, and honestly, I’m almost ashamed that I haven’t covered it before. I adore the outdoors, the plants, the animals, the geology. It’s all amazing, and it’s all amazingly fragile. As outdoor enthusiast, we have a responsibility to help care for what we love. Humans have the incredible ability to … More Leave No Trace. What it means, and why it matters.
The Marmot Trestles 15 sets out to provide exceptional warmth and comfort at a value price. Does the sleeping bag come through, or does it leave you out in the cold? About the Sleeping bag The Trestles 15 is a synthetic, mummy style sleeping bag comprised of primarily polyester materials. . It comes in various … More Marmot Trestles 15 Sleeping Bag Review
It’s no secret that the temperatures high up in the mountains will be lower than that in the valleys. Have you ever set off on a warm summer hike to find the temps at the peak in the 50’s or worse? Avoid these surprises by knowing how to calculate the temperature loss as you climb. … More Calculate temperature change with elevation
Backpacking has one thing over all others, the need to be prepared. It’s very easy to forget something small (A spoon) or even something important (sleeping pad). It’s happened to us all regardless of experience. Always have a pack list to consult before packing, and after you’re packed to be sure you’re ready to go. Once you’re … More Backpacking Pack List (3 season)
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