If you haven’t been to Bays Mountain Park, you’re doing yourself a terrible terrible injustice. Where else can you hike 38 miles of trail around a lake, visit a planetarium, tackle adventure courses, and view a nature habitat complete with wolves, bobcats, deer, otters, raptors, and more all in one trip? It’s all here. It’s … More Bays Mountain Park, Kingsport Tennessee
No one ever plans to get lost in the woods. How hard can it be, just walk on the trail, don’t go off of it, and you’ll be fine. Not true. You’d be surprised how easy it is to get lost. You can take a wrong turn, miss a turn, or not realize there was … More What to do when you’re lost
At the end of a long day of backpacking the one thing I’m always thinking about is food. A hot meal is an amazing luxury at the end of the day, providing nourishment, energy, and moral. Having this without paying huge weight taxes can be tricky. The Gigapower by Snowpeak is designed to be a … More Snowpeak Gigapower Stove Review
Today, we would assault the first “pass” of the Four pass loop. The goal was to summit West Maroon Pass, descend in the valley and rest up for tomorrows’ summit, Frigid Air Pass. Shortly after leaving camp, we were devoured in the most beautiful meadow I have ever seen. The valley opened up, with the … More Four Pass Loop, Maroon Bells Colorado (part 2)
I found myself unhappily sitting on a wet tree that had fallen in the woods. My butt was wet, uncomfortable, and not particularly happy about it. From the corner of my eye, I could see it. The small, yellow, childish apparatus that Laura, who was sitting next to me, was using. Her butt was dry, … More Thermarest Z Seat Review
The Big Agnes Lost Ranger is a 15 degree, down, sleeping bag. While the bag falls into the “classic” series that Big Agnes offers, there’s really nothing traditional about. First, it includes the fancy new DownTek technology, which adds a water repellent compound to the down feathers. Secondly, the sleeping bag has no insulation on … More Big Agnes Lost Ranger Sleeping Bag Review
I’ve always been a fan of Big Agnes tents; however, their gear tends to be quite expensive (and worth it). What happens when a company famous for making high end tents decides to put their hands in the the affordable realm? The Lost Spring Series tents happen, but do they hold that BA quality? About … More Big Agnes Lone Spring 3 Tent Review
Laura Falls is a rare spot. It’s an amazing hike with a huge payoff, but with minimal effort. You’ll receive beautiful views of the river, cascades, rock walls, bridged river crossings, succulent forests, and at the end, a spectacular, gushing waterfall that stands several stories tall. I classify this hike as a mild hike, and … More Laurel Falls, Hampton Tn
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
