Outdoors

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  • The Beast 5/18/13

    New England & Northeast Skiing, Mountain Biking, Hiking Forums - AlpineZone Forums - 9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16,19,23,31
    Cornhead
    19 May 2013 | 4:42 am
    Date(s) Skied: 5/18/13 Resort or Ski Area: Killington Conditions: Sun, a few clouds, and tons-o-corn Trip Report: I was a little disappointed when I didn't see the usual $30 Liftopia deal on their site. On to plan B, I had lost my Greek Peak season's pass just prior to their closing, and found it cheaper to tell them I had forgotten it, $3 a pop, than say I'd lost it, $20, so I didn't replace it. On to plan C, I had thrown out a handful of used lift tickets not too long ago, I did find a Gore, and was hoping something was attached to my rarely used second pair of ski pants, bingo, another…

  • Outdoor Research Axiom Jacket Review

    FeedTheHabit.com
    Kevin Glover
    17 May 2013 | 2:28 am
    When Outdoor Research sets out to craft a technical hardshell, they don’t mess around.  The Axiom alpine stormshell is loaded up with Gore-Tex® Active and a trim fit for some April showers around the Pacific Northwest.  This jacket won the 2012 Outside Gear of the Year award and it’s definitely got a lot going for it, but there’s nothing like a few weeks of testing to bring out a jacket’s true colors. Outdoor Research Axiom Features: Movement-Mirroring Stretch Fully Adjustable Hood Fits Over Helmet Single-Seperating Front Zipper Internal Front-Zip Stormflap Zippered…

  • Expect the Unexpected While Camping in Florida

    Camping Survival Tips
    Editor
    16 May 2013 | 11:30 am
    Camping in Florida is a year-around activity in a state blessed with warm, humid summers and mild, dry winters. The state’s subtropical coastal, uplands, marine and freshwater ecosystems offer unique opportunities for camping, fishing, boating, hiking and wildlife viewing. Many federal and state parks in Florida also include heritage and cultural resources. Whether you prefer a summer tent or a well-ventilated 3-season tent, the rich biodiversity of the state’s national forests, parks and seashores will bring you into close contact with plant and animal species found nowhere else…

  • Last minute travel deals: Holidays and getaways at bargain prices

    Camping News
    19 May 2013 | 1:25 am
    Staffordshire Spa Break for 127.50pp: Save on selected dates at five-star Moddershall Oaks.

  • Lessons in How to Play With Fire

    NYT > Camps and Camping
    1 May 2013 | 10:00 pm
    At Jack Sanders’s Heavy Metal camp, welding is the medium but adventure is the mode.
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    New England & Northeast Skiing, Mountain Biking, Hiking Forums - AlpineZone Forums - 9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16,19,23,31

  • The Beast 5/18/13

    Cornhead
    19 May 2013 | 4:42 am
    Date(s) Skied: 5/18/13 Resort or Ski Area: Killington Conditions: Sun, a few clouds, and tons-o-corn Trip Report: I was a little disappointed when I didn't see the usual $30 Liftopia deal on their site. On to plan B, I had lost my Greek Peak season's pass just prior to their closing, and found it cheaper to tell them I had forgotten it, $3 a pop, than say I'd lost it, $20, so I didn't replace it. On to plan C, I had thrown out a handful of used lift tickets not too long ago, I did find a Gore, and was hoping something was attached to my rarely used second pair of ski pants, bingo, another…

  • Killington May 17th

    180
    17 May 2013 | 3:29 pm
    The cam looks worse than it is. No grooming for the last few weeks has left SS with perfect shaped bumps. The moguls are amazing with great lines spread across the trail. One thin section, but otherwise some of the best bumping you can get on SS. Get it while you can. Get up tomorrow, you won't be disappointed.

  • Pre Holiday Camping in the Rutland Area?

    Cornhead
    17 May 2013 | 8:55 am
    I know Memorial Day Weekend is the unofficial kickoff of the Summer season, but does anyone know of any campgrounds in the Rutland area that may be open this weekend? Thinking of wrapping up my season at Kmart this weekend, wouldn't mind saving a few bucks.

  • Killington, 5/18, 5/19

    Cornhead
    17 May 2013 | 8:40 am
    Thinking of heading to Kmart for the weekend to put my season to bed. Anyone else plan on being there? I see the weather forecast has changed to cloudy for Sunday, oh well. PM me with your number if you'd like to hook up to share some turns. Can't believe there's still lift serviced skiing available, Superstar is looking a little thin near the base, kudos to big K. Anyone know of any campgrounds that might be open in the area? I know Memorial Day Weekend is the unofficial start of the Summer season, but I wouldn't mind saving a few bucks camping if possible.

  • Kayak storage

    wtcobb
    17 May 2013 | 3:50 am
    Looking for some advice on kayak storage. I'm hoping to hang a pair of kayaks on the back of a garage for the summer to free up some space inside. I've seen the wall-mount cradles and those should work fine, but my concern is with the mouth of the kayak being open to water/critters. Even in the product photo you can see the opening, which would fill up with rain water or make a lovely home for squirrels: 51IMLhYFbAL.jpg These are pretty inexpensive kayaks, so there's no skirt or enclosure to affix to the top. Any creative ideas to safely cover the kayaks? Attached Images 51IMLhYFbAL.jpg (48.3…
 
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    FeedTheHabit.com

  • Outdoor Research Axiom Jacket Review

    Kevin Glover
    17 May 2013 | 2:28 am
    When Outdoor Research sets out to craft a technical hardshell, they don’t mess around.  The Axiom alpine stormshell is loaded up with Gore-Tex® Active and a trim fit for some April showers around the Pacific Northwest.  This jacket won the 2012 Outside Gear of the Year award and it’s definitely got a lot going for it, but there’s nothing like a few weeks of testing to bring out a jacket’s true colors. Outdoor Research Axiom Features: Movement-Mirroring Stretch Fully Adjustable Hood Fits Over Helmet Single-Seperating Front Zipper Internal Front-Zip Stormflap Zippered…

  • Patagonia Quandary Shorts Review

    Donald Buraglio
    15 May 2013 | 1:49 am
    Keeping it simple doesn’t mean you have to limit yourself.  Patagonia’s Quandary shorts allow you to pack and travel light, while staying well-equipped for your outdoor adventures. Features 10″ inseam 223 g (7.9 oz) Fabric: 4.5-oz 96% nylon/4% spandex DWR (durable water repellent) finish 40-UPF sun protection Regular fit Flat front styling Vertical on-seam side pockets Left front thigh zipper pocket Dual back pockets Three color options MSRP $69 Patagonia Quandary Shorts Review Despite the company’s corporate success, Patagonia has never lost sight of its dirtbag roots.  The…

  • Wicked Audio 3D Headphones Review

    Kevin Glover
    14 May 2013 | 8:17 am
    There are two types of headphones in this world: finely crafted aural masterpieces for those who listen to their Mahler or Rachmaninoff while sipping cognac by the fire, or down-and-dirty cans for the people who use their headphones as hard as their bikes or skis.  Wicked Audio’s phones fall firmly into the latter category and I’ve been abusing their stylish 3D (that’s the product name, not a descriptor) over-ear cans while pursuing the life of a bike bum. Wicked Audio 3D Headphones Features: Synthetic Cups Hero Volume Control Enhanced Bass High Fidelity Impedance 32 ohms…

  • Suunto Elementum Terra Watch Review

    Jason Mitchell
    13 May 2013 | 3:23 am
    Suunto altimeter watches have long been a staple in mountain towns where their shield-like form factor is worn like a badge of honor. However, that same badge of honor can be a distraction in the boardroom or when kicking things up for a night on the town. So, Suunto introduced the Elementum line of watches with the Terra being the on-land enthusiast’s choice. It’s classic lines complement any occasion while still remaining true to its roots as a mountain man’s watch. Suunto Elementum Terra Features Altimeter Barometric pressure & trend 3D compass Log: last 8 ascent /…

  • Hincapie Ardennes LS Jersey Review

    Jason Mitchell
    10 May 2013 | 1:29 am
    Crisp morning rides sometimes require a bit of a wardrobe juggling act. As I’ve navigated the cool mornings this spring, the Hincapie Ardennes LS jersey has become a staple in my repertoire. With the right combination of layers, it’s proven to be a trusted friend. Hincapie Ardennes LS Jersey Features Winter weight, fleece-lined BodE Thermal Heat™ stretch knit fabric provides excellent moisture wicking and unsurpassed insulation Soft, supple BodE Thermal Loft™ elastic knit insulates and wicks moisture away from the body Hincapie Gel-Grip™ back keeps the jersey in place…
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    Camping Survival Tips

  • Expect the Unexpected While Camping in Florida

    Editor
    16 May 2013 | 11:30 am
    Camping in Florida is a year-around activity in a state blessed with warm, humid summers and mild, dry winters. The state’s subtropical coastal, uplands, marine and freshwater ecosystems offer unique opportunities for camping, fishing, boating, hiking and wildlife viewing. Many federal and state parks in Florida also include heritage and cultural resources. Whether you prefer a summer tent or a well-ventilated 3-season tent, the rich biodiversity of the state’s national forests, parks and seashores will bring you into close contact with plant and animal species found nowhere else…

  • Hiking Trail

    Editor
    31 Mar 2013 | 4:15 pm
    Taking on the adventure that hiking trails offer is an exciting prospect. Indeed, there is no better way to enjoy all that nature has to offer than to go on a day-long hike with a few buddies of yours. But while hiking trails are treasures close to an adventurer’s heart, they can also be quite a pain – to your back muscles, legs, arms, your whole body in fact. Below are some concerns and potential problems you may encounter while on a hiking trail and how to avoid them: Shins Almost every walker experiences some muscle soreness in their shins after a long walk. If your shins start…

  • Treat You Loved Ones to a Family Camping Holiday

    Editor
    29 Mar 2013 | 12:00 am
    Family camping can be a fun experience for everyone in your family. When going camping you can have the advantage of setting off whenever you like to a camping ground of your choice, and you do not need to book ahead unless the site is very popular and it is the high holiday season. Most children are thrilled at the thought of sleeping under the stars and they see the whole family camping trip as an adventure. There is nothing better than eating outside. Some campsites may have barbeques available for use or you may be able to set up an outdoor fire. Alternatively, you can purchase camping…

  • Maintaining and Replacing Grilling and Camping Supplies

    Editor
    17 Mar 2013 | 9:00 pm
    One of the best times to start to plan a family camping trip is when the weather is cold and dreary. Making your plans this way allows plenty of time to decide on where you want to camp, make reservations depending on the campgrounds policies, and make sure you have all of your grilling and camping supplies in order. This time of year is perfect for the pre trip check because you have the flexibility to not be in a rush to replace or replenish your camping gear. Camping equipment manufacturers and retail stores often have great deals on camping items as they clear out last year’s…

  • Important Facts about Camping trailers

    Editor
    24 Feb 2013 | 11:15 am
    Camping trailers are an American tradition that goes back to the early 1920s when they were known as ‘tin can’ tourists. However, we’ve come a long way from that less comfortable version of trailers, so that many people find them comfortable enough to live in for many months of the year – if not year round. Camping trailers range widely in size and cost, from the small pop-up trailers that look like a box being towed behind a vehicle until they are set up, to the largest trailers that can be 65 feet in length or more. However, there are some important things to…
 
 
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    Featured News

  • Urgent Call to Action Regarding International Staff

    American Camp Association
    10 May 2013 | 10:58 am
    May 15, 2013 Download a copy of our Key Messages about S.744 - the Senate Immigration Reform Bill and use them to advocate for camps!  New 5/15/2013 read more

  • Spring 2013 CampLine

    American Camp Association
    8 May 2013 | 8:26 am
    The Spring 2013 CampLine features information on camps and HIPAA requirements, post-camp communications, and notes from the 2013 ACA National Conference Insurance Roundtable. Download the Spring 2013 CampLine In this issue . . . read more

  • 2013 May/June Camping Magazine

    American Camp Association
    7 May 2013 | 6:41 am
    Staff Training at Its Best! Access the digital version read more

  • ACA, New York and New Jersey Gives Hundreds of Children Affected by Hurricane Sandy Summer Camp Scholarships

    American Camp Association
    30 Apr 2013 | 5:59 am
    The American Camp Association, New York and New Jersey, a nonprofit organization dedicated to enhancing the quality of summer camps, is giving hundreds of camp scholarships to children affected by the devastation of Hurricane Sandy through the Heal the Children Program.  read more

  • American Red Cross and ACA Partner to Save ACA Camps Money on Training

    American Camp Association
    23 Apr 2013 | 9:22 am
    In order to meet several of the American Camp Association standards, a lifeguard or someone with first aid from a nationally recognized organization must be on duty during aquatic activities.  In order to assist ACA accredited camps meet these standard, ACA is pleased to announce a recent partnership with the American Red Cross that will provide a 20% discount for Red Cross Health and Safety training for ACA accredited camps!&nbs read more
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    Backpacking Light Magazine

  • (M) Mountain SuperUltraLight Backpacking – Going SUL in the Mountains with Adequate Shelter, Insulation, and Rain Protection. Part 2A: Selecting the Lightest, Most Functional Gear - Backpack, Shelter, Sleeping Bag, Sleeping Pad

    15 May 2013 | 12:00 am
    Adapting SUL for mountain conditions, where frequent weather extremes necessitate more capable gear. by Will Rietveld | 2013-05-15SuperUltraLight (SUL) backpacking, by definition, calls for a base pack weight less than 5 pounds (2.27 kg). It's fallen out of favor because of the perceived difficulty of achieving such a low pack weight. Back in 2005, Backpacking Light Editor Carol Crooker published a series of articles on going SUL in different locations and styles to show how it's done. But undeniable drawbacks about SUL then were undesirable compromises and going without. Many of us concluded…

  • (M) SUL BikeRaftFishPacking (BFRP)

    15 May 2013 | 12:00 am
    An SUL approach to multisport: bikepacking, packrafting, and tenkara fly fishing. by Ryan Jordan | 2013-05-15I didn't start backpacking only to walk trails. My very first wilderness trips, in the 1970s, to remote places by foot with my dad nearly always involved the quest to fish some out of the way stretch of river, or an alpine lake. Bushwhacking and other forms of suffering were part of the recipe for these early trips. So was catching large trout. The reward at the end of my line, perhaps more than any other, kept me backpacking in my youth. As my interests expanded in the 1980s to…

  • (M) Mountain SuperUltraLight Backpacking – Going SUL in the Mountains with Adequate Shelter, Insulation, and Rain Protection. Part 1: Concepts and Scope.

    8 May 2013 | 12:00 am
    Adapting SUL for mountain conditions, where frequent weather extremes necessitate more capable gear. by Will Rietveld | 2013-05-08SuperUltraLight (SUL) backpacking, by definition, calls for a base pack weight less than 5 pounds (2.27 kg). It's fallen out of favor because of the perceived difficulty of achieving such a low pack weight. Back in 2005, Backpacking Light Editor Carol Crooker published a series of articles on going SUL in different locations and styles to show how it's done. But, there were undeniable drawbacks about SUL and 'going without'. Many of us concluded it is best suited…

  • (M) The SUL Mindset

    8 May 2013 | 12:00 am
    The SUL Mindset may be more than gear weights, and performance standards. by Ryan Jordan | 2013-05-08Backpacking Light is embarking on a new series about "SuperUltraLight" (SUL) backpacking, an affectionate term that has become one descriptor for carrying a base weight of less than five pounds (other descriptors that I've heard include "arrogant", "pointless", and "stupid"). The purpose of this commentary is to expand the definition of SUL that considers a bit less rigidity, a bit more principle, and a bit more opportunity for the backpacker who chooses to study this subject intentionally.

  • (M) Rab Xenon and Patagonia UL Down Hoody: Comparison and Long-Term Review

    1 May 2013 | 12:00 am
    New and evolving technologies necessitate a reexamination of the conventional wisdom of down versus synthetic fill insulation. by David Chenault | 2013-05-01Fleece, goose down, and synthetic fill insulations: for decades these have been the only choices for backcountry travelers concerned with gear weight. Other options like wool and fur are too heavy and bulky in the thicknesses required for proper warmth. The last few years have seen new technologies come on the market to complicate this triumvirate. The various incarnations of treated down, as well as more breathable synthetic fill…
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    Getoutdoors.com Outdoor Blog

  • Behold, The Bastard Child Of Crocs: Crosskix

    23 Apr 2013 | 11:57 pm
    Just in case you were wondering what the next thing will be in ugly footwear now that Crocs and Ugg are all played out. Let us introduce you to Crosskix. If their Kickstarter campaign is successful, you'll be seeing these ugly things on a trail near you.

  • And We're Back.....

    23 Apr 2013 | 11:36 pm
    Took a couple of months off to recharge the batteries. Time to get back into the swing of things. Like writing good cliche filled blog posts. Lets start with something easy. A surf movie trailer. Cannibals. Ladies in bikinis. What's not to love?

  • Dale Webster Surfs His 13,598th Day In A Row

    20 Dec 2012 | 1:38 pm
    Every couple years we like to check in with Dale, who for the last 37 years has surfed every day. On November 24th, his birthday, he had surfed for the 13,598th consecutive day. Either he's got a really bad case of obsessive compulsive disorder or he just loves surfing. Kind of makes it hard to vacation anywhere outside of the coasts with this kind of hobby. Via Surfy Surfy.

  • Tony Hawk Takes Criticism Well

    19 Dec 2012 | 12:41 pm
    Funny episode in the world of social media. Seems Tony Hawk posted this picture of himself skating in his backyard skate bowl on Instagram. Only to be bombarded with criticism for riding with no helmet. His response? "For those that say I endanger my child: it's more likely that you will fall while walking on the sidewalk than I will while skating with my daughter."Classic. Via News.com.au.

  • POC Helmets, Now With Overpiced Beats by Dr. Dre

    18 Dec 2012 | 11:54 am
    Beats by Dr. Dre are a case study in how excellent marketing and brand building can build a global phenomena out of a mediocre product. Kind of like Lance Armstrong or Ed Viesturs. For the price, we can't think of a more over-priced, over-hyped product. Particularly given the same sound quality can be found in headphones at a fraction of the cost. Nevertheless, anything Beats related is probably marketing gold, so it makes sense that POC came out with a helmet with integrated Beats. And for about $300 you can have buy yourself one. Or you could just be smart about it, put a Beats sticker on…
 
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    GoBackpacking

  • Bengali Seafood Feast in India

    Dave
    17 May 2013 | 5:00 am
    --------- Join Travel Blog Success today and learn how to build a better travel blog. Premium Membership includes 27 tutorials, 15 expert audio interviews, monthly webinars, private support forums, and much more.

  • A Quick Travel Guide to Tanzania

    Guest Blogger
    16 May 2013 | 5:00 am
    Ngorongoro Crater (photo: wwarby) Tanzania is one of the most visually breath-taking countries on the planet. Etched with extinct volcanoes, wildlife-packed plains, white sand beaches and the continent’s highest peak – the magnificent Kilimanjaro – this is a holiday destination with kick. Top 5 Places to Visit You might not want to dedicate too much time to the capital of Dar-Es-Salam, but you’d be missing out if you didn’t visit Kariakoo Market. This mad, sprawling assortment of stalls is the biggest in the country and a good place to see what urban Tanzania is really like. The…

  • Where to Stay in Barcelona: The 5 Best Neighbourhoods

    Guest Blogger
    15 May 2013 | 6:30 am
    Beach in Barcelona (photo: David Lee) Making your way to Barcelona? Excellent choice! Now to decide in which area of this amazing city you want to stay. Are you a laid-back Barceloneta dweller, or a cool Born urbanite? With so many different ‘barrios’ in the Catalan capital, each one offering a distinct cultural experience, choosing where to stay in Barcelona can be a little overwhelming. Whether you are in search of the buzzing beach vibes of Barceloneta or the historic richness of the Gothic Quarter, choosing the right holiday apartment in Barcelona could mean the difference between a…

  • Accor Hotels Site Review

    Mark Wiens
    14 May 2013 | 3:00 pm
    The following is a sponsored review written by Mark. All opinions are his own. Accor Hotels is a luxury accommodation group of over 4,000 hotels spanning 90 different countries, representing a range of top hotel chains such as Sofitel, Pullman, and Novotel. The Australian branch of Accor Hotels covers a great range of accommodation options all the way from Western Australia to New South Wales. Design and Functionality One thing I like about the website is that it’s clean, with not a lot of clutter, making it easier and less of a hassle to navigate than many other hotel booking…

  • Introduction to North Indian Food

    Mark Wiens
    13 May 2013 | 5:00 am
    North Indian Food India is a vast country and home to a diverse range of cuisine. North Indian food is far different from Northeastern Indian food or South Indian food, and if you get even more specific, each and every region is famous for its own certain dishes. After visiting a few of the major cities in the North of India, and dining on lots of local food, I’ll try to cover a few of the general things that I noticed distinctly about North Indian food. North Indian food is often what many people would think of as just Indian food. It’s the North Indian curries that are often…
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    Ecuador Adventures

  • Wonderful 2-day tour to Ecuador’s adventure and spa capital Banos

    Kerstin Heydecker
    2 May 2013 | 5:27 pm
    In the beginning of April we did a great two day tour to Banos with our clients Randy and Sarah from Colorado/USA. Both love hiking, so beautiful Banos, Ecuador’s adventure capital, was the ideal destination! Banos is a 4 hour drive away from Quito in the Tungurahua province – it’s one of Ecuador’s most popular [...]

  • Sightseeing in Quito with Quito Tour Bus

    Kerstin Heydecker
    29 Nov 2012 | 6:38 am
    Since the beginning of 2012, tourists in Quito can enjoy city tours with the Quito tour bus, double-decker hop-on/hop-off buses leaving once an hour (first tour starts a 9 am). At an affordable cost of 12 USD, you can drive through Quito and discover the city from a new perspective. The audio comments are in [...]

  • Why Galapagos island hopping is such a great alternative to a cruise!

    Kerstin Heydecker
    27 Nov 2012 | 11:47 am
    In May 2012 we started offering Galapagos island hopping tours and by now these tours are one of our bestsellers! Why are these tours a great alternative to a Galapagos cruise? 1. The most convincing argument is the price! Galapagos is on the bucket list of so many travelers and it’s definitely not a cheap [...]

  • Peguche and Otavalo Artisan tour with Barefoot Expeditions

    Kerstin Heydecker
    23 May 2012 | 2:52 pm
    The Saturday market in Otavalo is definitely a must see for most tourists who visit Ecuador – indeed the market is huge and a paradise for anybody looking for souvenirs, handcrafted local products and jewellry. But to truly appreciate the handcrafted items, we decided to do a tour to the surrounding villages to see the artisans at work. We start our tour with a visit of the Peguche waterfalls outside of Otavalo, a sacred place to the local indigenous people, which gets extremely crowded during the Inti Raymi Festival on June 24th, the Festival of the Sun. A big party with music, dancing and…

  • What you need to bring for a Galapagos Islands trip

    Diego Altamirano
    24 Apr 2012 | 10:34 am
    The “What to bring” question when travelling to Ecuador is not so easy to solve – Ecuador is a small country, but has various different climate zones! On a typical 14-day tour including highlands, jungle & Galápagos you will be able to use shorts or bikini as well as your warmest winter jacket and gloves. [...]
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    GoXplore

  • Lyme Disease

    jez2391
    15 May 2013 | 3:38 am
    Have a look at this http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-22468181

  • Hello

    o0staceo0o
    12 May 2013 | 12:00 pm
    Hello all :) My bf and myself have decided to give wild camping ago and have agreed on going to the lake district but as we have never been to this area before we are unsure of where exactly to go. So any suggestions of particular areas that are good to explore as well as finding secluded wild camping spots

  • Sticks Sticks Sticks

    jez2391
    7 May 2013 | 8:45 am
    I know that in the past I have questioned the use of waking poles, but after backpacking this last weekend what a revelation, in the past I have only really used them on ascents, but with a heavy backpack, wow there an absolute god send not just on hills but also on the flat, there faster and take some of strain off you legs. The things about poles is they take a little bit of getting use to, but once mastered you'll wonder how you ever managed with out them.

  • Wild Camping

    jez2391
    30 Apr 2013 | 12:11 am
    If you're going wild camping and thinking of burning wood just think of the little ceatures living in the mud They use this wood for living, warmth and shelter too so please don't burn there homes cos they would not do this to you :)

  • Any Routes planned for 2013

    Stu
    27 Apr 2013 | 11:10 pm
    What are your outdoor plans for 2013?
 
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    Hip Hiker's Guide to the Galaxy

  • The view from Moose Mountain Road....

    16 May 2013 | 9:36 pm
    The gates on Highway 66 opened yesterday and the boys were on the verge of a nap, so I steered the RAV4 out for a look at the familiar haunts. Spring may have come late this year, but we're finally through the worst of it, and the late spring/early summer hiking can begin in earnest. God, I love living here. (Photo actually taken April 18, 2010)

  • Highway 66 (near Elbow Falls) - April 1, 2013

    1 Apr 2013 | 10:03 pm
    This is what it looks like when you take your two year old twins on their first "hike". No child carriers, no wagon, just their little feet. And a highway closed until mid-May.... One day I hope the surroundings will be more interesting than the stuff painted on the road....

  • West Bragg Creek Snowshoe Loop - January 22, 2012 (from the archives)

    8 Nov 2012 | 8:36 pm
    It's coming.... 15 cm of snow and counting....

  • Chester Lake - Snowshoeing - February 7, 2010 - From the Archives

    23 Oct 2012 | 12:45 pm
    With 10-20 cm dumping in the city, and so much more white stuff falling in the mountains (Burstall Pass had over 25 cm base before this most recent storm even hit!), it's time to start dreaming about snowshoeing! While there's still not enough of a base in the mountains for winter recreation yet (and it's still expected to be a snowless Halloween in the city -- with temperatures back up to 9C by

  • Bow Valley dreaming....

    14 Oct 2012 | 9:16 pm
    There's still too much of a taste of fall in my mind. Maybe it's because hiking has suddenly opened itself up to us again, maybe it's because fall can be such a fleeting season in the rockies, summer one day, snow the next, or maybe it's because there still seems to be so many trails left unhiked and life moves so quickly now. Normally the first look of snow has me thinking about snowshoeing,
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    HoboTraveler.com Travel Blog. Learn Travel Tips from Seasoned Travelers

  • Weapons The 5 Weapons Available To Adventure Travelers

    19 May 2013 | 1:52 am
    This Video Shows 5 Weapons Available To You As A World Traveler And The Tsa At The Airports Is Going To Allow All Of Them On The Plane ... Read More ... Subscribe to Pro Travel Tips See your ad here for one dollar per click.

  • Working Abroad Interview With Canadian Expat Marc Bizier

    17 May 2013 | 8:10 pm
    Here Is An Excellent Expat Interview Of Marc Bizier From Montreal Canada Who Speaks Four Languages And Works And Plays Abroad ... Read More ... Subscribe to Pro Travel Tips See your ad here for one dollar per click.

  • American Volunteers Travel With A Purpose

    16 May 2013 | 11:24 pm
    Do You Want To Visit Crazy Countries Outside The Usa The Places Nobody Else Goes To Volunteering Provides A Good Means For Americans ... Read More ... Subscribe to Pro Travel Tips See your ad here for one dollar per click.

  • 15 Tips For Packing Your Suitcase By Sechan

    15 May 2013 | 10:28 pm
    Packing A Suitcase Sechan 039 S Video Explains 15 Good Travel Tips For Packing Your Suitcase For An International Trip She Is Not From The Usa ... Read More ... Subscribe to Pro Travel Tips See your ad here for one dollar per click.

  • How To Live In New York City For A Month

    14 May 2013 | 11:13 pm
    Living In New York City London Or Paris Is An Adventure Of Self Discovery You Will Gain Years Of Experiences In One Month It Is A Lifestyle Choice ... Read More ... Subscribe to Pro Travel Tips See your ad here for one dollar per click.
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    LightBackpacking.com

  • The Perfect Lightweight Camp Cup

    Bruce
    9 May 2013 | 3:28 pm
    When I began my ultralight backpacking quest in 1998, manufacturers were producing big, heavy everything — tents, packs, pads and accessories. Backpackers had to be part pack mule to haul all the stuff around. Fast forward to 2013 and the … Continue reading →

  • Starting Fire with Steel Wool and a Battery

    Bruce
    3 Jan 2013 | 2:37 am
    It always useful to have a back up (or two) and the know-how to start a fire when you forget your matches or they get wet in a rain storm. This battery method looks so simple. I knew that fine … Continue reading →

  • Boil Water on a Leaf … An Interesting Tip, but Will it Work?

    Bruce
    31 Dec 2012 | 8:29 am
    MacGyver Style Tip : Boil Water With A Leaf – For more amazing video clips, click here

  • The Book “Wild” by Cheryl Strayed a Must-Read

    Bruce
    16 Jul 2012 | 8:31 am
    A couple of weeks ago, Cheryl Strayed, author of Wild, From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail (an Oprah book pick and New York Times bestseller), was in my hometown in Mendocino, California talking about her book. Her … Continue reading →

  • Exped DownMat 7UL – High Comfort, Warmth and Lightness at a Reasonable Price

    Bruce
    28 May 2012 | 5:25 pm
    On my first backpack 15 years ago my pack basics (pack, tent, pad, bag) weighed a whopping 21 pounds. Today – what a relief – the total is 8 pounds, 1 ounce. I do it this way: Osprey Aether Pack … Continue reading →
 
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    sectionhiker.com

  • RailRiders Raffle: Worst Hiking Clothing Mishap

    Earlylite
    16 May 2013 | 10:10 pm
    TweetCrotch BlowoutRrippppp! The crotch of my hiking pants tore open on day two of a six day backpacking trip on the Appalachian Trail. Hard to believe, but I’d worn out those hiking pants in less than a year and the fabric just wore through. Nothing much to do for such a catastrophic clothing mishap except to hike through it and wear my rain pants when I was in mixed company.That was before I discovered the RailRiders hiking pants and shirts which I now wear on all of my hiking trips. They make indestructible, yet extremely comfortable and functional pants and shirts that are perfect…

  • Hiking Through: From Misery to Amazing by Paul Stutzman

    Earlylite
    15 May 2013 | 10:15 pm
    TweetOn September 7, 2007, my wife of 32 years passed away from cancer. My life as I knew it also ended that day. I had a choice to make. Either lament my misfortune and wallow in pity for years, or make an effort to find peace and meaning in what remained of my life.I did what I often did when life’s burdens became overwhelming, I scheduled a hike. The Grand Canyon and Zion Canyon had been my venues for stress reduction from a busy management job. The latter part of October of that same year I arrived at Zion Canyon for my therapy sessions. The early morning hike up Angels Landing found me…

  • My Pacific Crest Trail Highlights: People and Lack of People by Bob Welch

    Earlylite
    14 May 2013 | 10:15 pm
    TweetOn my 452-mile hike on Oregon’s stretch of the Pacific Crest Trail in 2011, it dawned on me just short of Summit Lake: in the 60 miles and four days since leaving Crater Lake National Park, I hadn’t seen a single other hiker. I liked that about hiking Oregon’s PCT: the lack of people. But even if it sounds like a Mt. Hood-sized contradiction, what I also liked was, well, the people.At 57, I had decided to attempt the trip for a handful of reasons, among them reconnecting to a now-gone father with whom I’d spent time in these woods; stumbling across a rare and relatively unknown…

  • The Northern Forest Canoe Trail: In the Footsteps of History by Sam Brakeley

    Earlylite
    13 May 2013 | 10:15 pm
    TweetSam and Andy setting out on the NFCT at the western terminus in Old Forge, NYWiping the sweat from my eyes, I grunted as I re-adjusted the canoe on my shoulders. My tumpline (the leather strap running over the top of my head that helps to spread the weight of the canoe across my back and shoulders) was biting into my head and I shifted it forward to a new spot on my scalp. Black flies buzzed in my ears and nose, and the smell of my unwashed shirt mixed (not disagreeably) with the smell of rotting vegetation in the ankle-deep muck that was the portage trail. A quick calculation told me…

  • Not That Kind of Girl by Gail Storey

    Earlylite
    12 May 2013 | 10:13 pm
    TweetGail Storey in a TiaraI was not that kind of girl! I was not the wholesome, athletic type who would hike the 2,663-mile Pacific Crest Trail over the steep mountains of California, Oregon, and Washington. I was an ersatz bad-girl with a checkered past who married a doctor from an old Dallas family and became a tiara-wearing dinner party hostess.But while I was growing up in a housing project, reading books and hiding from gangs, the man who would one day be my husband was learning outdoor skills at boys’ camps and killing rattlesnakes for dinner at the National Outdoor Leadership…
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    Trailspace Articles

  • Review Your Gear to Win Cuben-Fiber HMG Southwest Pack

    Seth Levy
    19 May 2013 | 7:00 am
    Review your outdoor gear in the next two weeks and you could win a 2400 Southwest pack, thanks to Hyperlite Mountain Gear. We'll be drawing one very lucky community member from our reviewers after Sunday, June 2. The Southwest is a durable, lightweight, waterproof day to weekend overnight pack constructed from a rip-stop Cuben Fiber/polyester hybrid material. Its frameless body features two removable, shaped aluminum stays, fully padded back panel, cushioned shoulder straps and hip belt, and a weatherproof storm closure. It weighs in at 1.76 pounds ($260…

  • Review Your Gear to Win a Hyperlite Mountain Gear Pack

    Seth Levy
    13 May 2013 | 10:00 am
    The 2400 Southwest pack from Hyperlite Mountain Gear, in its natural habitat. Review your outdoor gear now through Sunday, June 2, and you could win your own ultralight 2400 Southwest backpack, thanks to Hyperlite Mountain Gear (worth $260). One very lucky Trailspace gear reviewer will win a 28-ounce 2400 Southwest for hiking and backpacking. Constructed from a rip-stop Cuben Fiber/polyester hybrid material, the Southwest is durable, lightweight, and waterproof. The 2400 Southwest holds nearly 3,000 cubic inches of backcountry gear (interior and exterior), and is…

  • Bill S Wins a Montane Mountain Star Jacket

    Seth Levy
    13 May 2013 | 5:41 am
    The uber-light Montane Mountain Star Congratulations to gear reviewer, Bill S! He wins a Mountain Star windshirt thanks to Montane ($84 value). Plus, we're sending Bill S a Trailspace-Ibex beanie to wear on his outdoor adventures. Bill's review of his Platypus GravityWorks Filter System ("Overall I found the Platypus GravityWorks 2 liter to be a convenient and easy approach to the problem of providing potable water") was selected randomly from the 118 outdoor gear reviews submitted since April 29. The light (7.1 oz), packable Montane Mountain Star provides…

  • Meet FromSagetoSnow, Trailspace's Reviewer of the Month

    Seth Levy
    10 May 2013 | 1:42 pm
    Congratulations to community member FromSagetoSnow (aka Jeff Ediger)! Jeff's Review Corps review of the insulated Rab Strata Hoodie was voted May's most helpful review by the Trailspace community. "My wife says I have too many jackets. The Strata might allow me to pass a couple on to the next happy user. It fills the place of a down sweater and a soft shell jacket pretty well," wrote Jeff of the Strata Hoodie. Congratulations, Jeff! You win a goodie pack of gear from GU, ProBar, A3 Action Snaxand Trailspace for your most recent effort.* Write your own helpful gear…

  • Review Your Gear this Week to Win a Montane Mountain Star

    Seth Levy
    6 May 2013 | 8:13 am
    One lucky reviewer will win aMontane Mountain Star wind shirt. Review your outdoor gear this week—now through Sunday, May 12—and you could win your own Mountain Star windshirt to keep you warm on chilly mountain tops, thanks to Montane. One lucky Trailspace gear reviewer will win the versatile Montane Mountain Star. This light jacket resists wind and rain on fast-and-light backcountry journeys, and can serve as a  summit shell for rapid ascents this summer. (Available in men's and women's; $84 value.) To win the Mountain Star: Write a review now through Sunday,…
 
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    Modern Hiker

  • Trails Re-Open in the Santa Monica Mountains

    Casey Schreiner
    14 May 2013 | 8:30 am
    Effective today, the National Park Service is re-opening some trails in the Springs Fire Burn Area. Most trails in the small Rancho Sierra Vista / Satwiwa unit just north of Point Mugu State Park have re-opened, although they are currently only open from sunrise to sunset. Portions of the Satwiwa... [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

  • The 5th Annual Big Parade is This Weekend

    Casey Schreiner
    13 May 2013 | 9:02 am
    Stretch out your legs and dig out your comfiest walking shoes – the Big Parade is back this weekend! The annual pedestrian celebration is entering its fifth year and will once again trace a long and winding route from Angel’s Landing in downtown Los Angeles to the Griffith Park... [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

  • Rafting in the Kern River

    Casey Schreiner
    10 May 2013 | 11:42 am
    When you think of river rafting, you inevitably think of rivers – and we here in Southern California aren’t really accustomed to having rivers around. Sure, the L.A. River is technically navigable by kayak, but trips are still rare and often sell out in a matter of minutes … also,... [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

  • Hiking Salmon Creek Falls in Sequoia National Forest

    Casey Schreiner
    10 May 2013 | 9:06 am
    A short and strenuous little-known trip to an incredible secluded canyon waterfall in the southern Sequoia National Forest, just north of Kernville. This route is mostly on use-trails and can be a moderate rock-hopping excursion or an intense scrambling trip with a few class 3 bouldering sections.... [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

  • Hiking Zion National Park – Observation Point

    Casey Schreiner
    9 May 2013 | 2:33 pm
    An epic, 8 mile climb to Observation Point, a jaw-dropping promontory 6508 feet above sea level on the Canyon’s northern end. The trail features a very strenuous, steep ascent and has absolutely stunning views for almost the entire trek. The peak is higher than nearby Angel’s Landing... [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]
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    Montana Outdoors

  • Beyond the Fairy Slippers

    montucky
    18 May 2013 | 9:46 pm
    Nearly all of my photos result from my frequent wanderings in the mountains and forests of western Montana. The wildflowers in my previous post were encountered on the way to a hike to view the peaks of the Cherry Peak roadless area, something I choose to do at least once every year. After a ten mile drive from the valley to a starting point at 5000 feet and a two mile hike from there up an old road to 6000 feet I arrive at my preferred viewing spot with an open view of the north side of the peaks. Mountains are always viewed best from high places. The road at 6000 feet Wood violets (Viola…

  • Fairy Slippers ~ The little orchids called Calypso

    montucky
    15 May 2013 | 7:35 pm
    A few days ago I mentioned that I had feared that I might have missed seeing Springbeauties this year. I also had that feeling about Fairy Slippers, having seen only two so far. Today as I returned from a hike up beyond Sheep Gap on the old road just north of Sunset Peak, just about a mile above the new trail head for the Sacajawea Peak Trail I found dozens of these beautiful little wildflowers in full bloom alongside Forest Service Road 7581; a cause for celebration. (Calypso, the goddess daughter of Atlas, was a beautiful sea nymph who was hidden in the woods.)

  • May wildflowers

    montucky
    12 May 2013 | 7:12 pm
    After the late arrival of warm weather, the wildflowers in this part of Western Montana have been hurrying to catch up with spring. Here are more that have started blooming in May: Miner’s Lettuce, Claytonia perfoliata Unknown Western Blue Clematis, Clematis occidentalis Heart-leaf Arnica , Arnica cordifolia Fairy Slipper, Calypso Orchid , Calypso bulbosa Falsebox, Mountain Boxwood, Oregon Boxwood, Paxistma myrsinites Blue-eyed Mary, Collinsia parviflora Yellow Wood Violet, Viola glabella Arrow-leaved Balsamroot, Balsamorhiza sagittata Arrow-leaved Balsamroot, Balsamorhiza sagittata…

  • Spring Beauties

    montucky
    10 May 2013 | 8:18 pm
    Having not encountered any of these in my wanderings in the valley this spring, I feared that I had missed seeing them this year… Lanceleaf Springbeauty, Claytonia lanceolata but here they are, growing next to snowbanks where they like it most, Big Hole Lookout trail and as usual, these are blooming along with them. Glacier Lily, Avalanche Lily, Erythronium grandiflorum

  • Early morning jewelry

    montucky
    8 May 2013 | 7:19 pm
    Field horsetail, Equisetum arvense To see these displaying their jewelry, you must find them at just the right stage of their development and catch them early in the morning after a cool night when the humidity has been just right. For some reason tiny drops of dew will form on them and on nothing else around.
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    10,000 Birds

  • Stars and spikes

    Clare M
    19 May 2013 | 4:00 am
    Star Finch Neochmia ruficaudaare small finches that are very well camouflaged and to add to the challenge they like to hide in reeds, spikey green bushes and are a real challenge to photograph. They also have a shriller note than other finches and although I can pick it up others cannot always do so. They are present in the north of Australia, but interestingly there is a gap on the map right over Broome! We either have to travel north or south to observe them. Last year we saw a nice flock at Parry’s Lagoon Nature Reserve and they would all come down to the water together to drink. On…

  • A Couple Hours at the Forest Park Waterhole

    Corey
    18 May 2013 | 3:00 pm
    There is little that I like to do more in Spring than join the throng of birders at the Forest Park waterhole and wait for the wood-warblers. The ephemeral pond waxes and wanes depending on the amount of rain, sun, wind, and heat that we are experiencing in Queens. It is an oasis in the urban forest when there is water and the birds can’t resist stopping in for a drink and a bath. Thursday after work I spent a couple of hours at the waterhole watching and photographing the birds coming in to the water. It was a relatively slow evening but I still tallied eighteen species of…

  • Douze points

    Redgannet
    18 May 2013 | 10:00 am
    Tonight, Malmo hosts the high camp drama that is the Eurovision Song Contest. It is a celebration of trite, ridiculous and frankly disturbing pop music. This is the Czech Republic entry for 2009; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w3CgUmzl4sk Titles of previous winning songs have included; “Ding-a Dong”, “Boom Bang-a-bang”, “La La La”, “Diggi-Loo Diggy-Lay”. More recently, the Israeli entry, having done their homework, came to the competition with “Ping Pong”. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3uNfhj66GOo It may be that my mocking tone is brought about by UK’s abject failure…

  • Birding Santiago de Chile – Trip Report

    Renato
    18 May 2013 | 7:01 am
    Farellones – Santiago de Chile This is a continuation of  Birding Argentina – Planning Stage Since we could get cheaper air tickets going through Santiago de Chile we started at this location to pick up some specialties that can be picked up rather easily. We arrived Santiago the 31st of march at 4:00 am and by 5:30 am we were leaving the airport in our compact rental car with Farellones in our mind and on our GPS.  Farellones is a very popular sky area just east of Santiago and also a very hot birding place.  As we started climbing this mountain side we realized that daybreak…

  • The Hummingbirds of Western Montana

    Carrie
    17 May 2013 | 10:04 am
    Are invisible. I mean, I know they’re out there. The Montana Field Guide, a helpful online compendium provided by the state government, lists seven species. Three of those — the Black-chinned, Calliope, and Rufous Hummingbirds — breed in the Missoula area. That is, in extremely precise mathematical terms, three times more species of hummingbirds than breed near the Olde Homestead. But my mom sees hummingbirds at her feeder constantly, and here my feeder sits, all forlorn. As far as right now, the first report of a Calliope Hummingbird from the local bird mailing list came in…
 
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    10,000 Birds

  • Stars and spikes

    Clare M
    19 May 2013 | 4:00 am
    Star Finch Neochmia ruficaudaare small finches that are very well camouflaged and to add to the challenge they like to hide in reeds, spikey green bushes and are a real challenge to photograph. They also have a shriller note than other finches and although I can pick it up others cannot always do so. They are present in the north of Australia, but interestingly there is a gap on the map right over Broome! We either have to travel north or south to observe them. Last year we saw a nice flock at Parry’s Lagoon Nature Reserve and they would all come down to the water together to drink. On…

  • A Couple Hours at the Forest Park Waterhole

    Corey
    18 May 2013 | 3:00 pm
    There is little that I like to do more in Spring than join the throng of birders at the Forest Park waterhole and wait for the wood-warblers. The ephemeral pond waxes and wanes depending on the amount of rain, sun, wind, and heat that we are experiencing in Queens. It is an oasis in the urban forest when there is water and the birds can’t resist stopping in for a drink and a bath. Thursday after work I spent a couple of hours at the waterhole watching and photographing the birds coming in to the water. It was a relatively slow evening but I still tallied eighteen species of…

  • Douze points

    Redgannet
    18 May 2013 | 10:00 am
    Tonight, Malmo hosts the high camp drama that is the Eurovision Song Contest. It is a celebration of trite, ridiculous and frankly disturbing pop music. This is the Czech Republic entry for 2009; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w3CgUmzl4sk Titles of previous winning songs have included; “Ding-a Dong”, “Boom Bang-a-bang”, “La La La”, “Diggi-Loo Diggy-Lay”. More recently, the Israeli entry, having done their homework, came to the competition with “Ping Pong”. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3uNfhj66GOo It may be that my mocking tone is brought about by UK’s abject failure…

  • Birding Santiago de Chile – Trip Report

    Renato
    18 May 2013 | 7:01 am
    Farellones – Santiago de Chile This is a continuation of  Birding Argentina – Planning Stage Since we could get cheaper air tickets going through Santiago de Chile we started at this location to pick up some specialties that can be picked up rather easily. We arrived Santiago the 31st of march at 4:00 am and by 5:30 am we were leaving the airport in our compact rental car with Farellones in our mind and on our GPS.  Farellones is a very popular sky area just east of Santiago and also a very hot birding place.  As we started climbing this mountain side we realized that daybreak…

  • The Hummingbirds of Western Montana

    Carrie
    17 May 2013 | 10:04 am
    Are invisible. I mean, I know they’re out there. The Montana Field Guide, a helpful online compendium provided by the state government, lists seven species. Three of those — the Black-chinned, Calliope, and Rufous Hummingbirds — breed in the Missoula area. That is, in extremely precise mathematical terms, three times more species of hummingbirds than breed near the Olde Homestead. But my mom sees hummingbirds at her feeder constantly, and here my feeder sits, all forlorn. As far as right now, the first report of a Calliope Hummingbird from the local bird mailing list came in…
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    The Unlucky Hunter

  • A Few Little Improvements To The Trident 13

    Timothy Borkert
    15 May 2013 | 6:27 am
    I have been working on the rigging of my new Trident 13 for several months now. I am finished and am going to start a series of post on what I did and how I did it. I plan on finishing with a monster overview post, showing all of my customization. This is the ninth post in the series. 1st post: Installing a Fish Finder  2nd post: Upgrading a Plano Dry Box 3rd post: How To Install SuperNova Fishing Lights On Your Kayak 4th post: Install Scotty Flush Mounts on a Kayak 5th post: YackAttack GearTrack GT90 Install and Review 6th post: The Ultimate DIY Kayak Crate - Part 1 7th post: The…

  • Camping With Toddlers

    Timothy Borkert
    8 May 2013 | 8:21 am
    I have a dirty secret. Something few people know. I hate camping. Oh, I'll do it in a pinch. I'll camp on an overnight hunting or fishing trip, or if my destination is just too far from a town. However, if there is a lodge, cabin, or hotel close by, that is where you will find me. My two and three year old daughters have a different opinion of camping. After watching Curious George do it on TV, they have decided it is the most fun possible. So, a camping we will go! Take it from someone who does not like to camp, without the proper preparation and equipment it is no fun.

  • An Ultralight Kind Of Day

    Timothy Borkert
    7 May 2013 | 3:33 am
    Sometimes I have to remind myself that fishing is all about having fun. It does not get more fun than ultralight! So, when the big fish decided not to bite a few weeks ago, I took out my ultralight rod and slew the dinks! Bass and Crappie mostly on an unweighted 4" lizzard and top water Teeny Torpedo. 2 pound test at least made the fights a little challenging. I've had that same Teeny Torpedo for almost 25 years. I think I got it when I was 9 years old. It has caught me hundreds of fish. Topwater Crappie are always a nice surprise! My first Blue Gill of the year, a nice handful. A dozen…

  • What We Can Learn From Old World Hunting Gear

    Timothy Borkert
    3 May 2013 | 3:27 am
    Hunting is cultural. Every culture does it slightly differently. Last year when my Grandma saw a picture of me in a tree stand, she asked my Dad what I was doing up there. She is from the west and had never heard of someone hunting from a stand. It is all stalking where she is from. It is kind of silly now that I look at it On the flip side, when I describe the thrill of spot and stalk hunting to my friends in the east, they are often dumb struck. The idea of hunting in that way had never occurred to them. Those two example are within the same country, the US. Imagine how…

  • Kayak Silent Traction System Install

    Timothy Borkert
    1 May 2013 | 10:20 am
    I have been working on the rigging of my new Trident 13 for several months now. I am finished and am going to start a series of post on what I did and how I did it. I plan on finishing with a monster overview post, showing all of my customization. This is the eighth post in the series. 1st post: Installing a Fish Finder  2nd post: Upgrading a Plano Dry Box 3rd post: How To Install SuperNova Fishing Lights On Your Kayak 4th post: Install Scotty Flush Mounts on a Kayak 5th post: YackAttack GearTrack GT90 Install and Review 6th post: The Ultimate DIY Kayak Crate - Part 1 7th post: The…
 
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    CheapTents Outdoor Gear Blog

  • Microadventures with Alastiar Humphreys

    Daniel
    9 May 2013 | 2:30 am
    It was back in September 2011 that we last interviewed Alastair Humphreys about his adventures large and micro. At the time Alastair was part way through his year of Microadventures. The concept of a microadventure being that it is an adventure close to home that is cheap, easy to organise and most of all, fun! [...]

  • The GO Trek with Dave and Squash

    Daniel
    1 May 2013 | 7:37 am
    Yesterday (30th April) saw the beginning of Dave Cornthwaite‘s eighth adventure in his twenty five Expedition 1000 challenges. For each of his challenges Dave is using non-motorised transport to travel at least 1000 miles. In this latest adventure, called the GO trek Dave Cornthwaite and Squash Falconer will be travelling 3000 miles on ElliptiGO running [...]

  • Walking in Llangurig, Mid Wales

    Daniel
    25 Apr 2013 | 2:19 am
    This was an enjoyable 11 mile walk in Mid Wales. The main thing that stood out being the differing types of scenery which included farmland, pine forests and moorland. With about 400 m of height gain there’s not too much uphill! Starting from the car park in the village of Llangurig, there was gentle introduction [...]

  • Jack Wolfskin Sanctuary II RT Tent Review

    Daniel
    11 Apr 2013 | 2:17 am
    The Jack Wolfskin Sanctuary II RT is a spacious, 2 person, tunnel tent. With a weight of 2.65 kg it is light enough for backpacking, yet strong enough to withstand the weather conditions of 4 season camping. The Jack Wolfskin Real Tunnel design provides stability and more usable space than other tunnel tents. It also [...]

  • Expedition1000 – Dave Cornthwaite Interview

    Daniel
    5 Apr 2013 | 7:27 am
    Embarking upon any expedition takes commitment, planning & perseverance. When Dave Cornthwaite packed in his day job to become an adventurer, the goal of achieving a single expedition was not enough to give him the motivation he needed to pursue his new career. After all, why stop at one expedition when you can do twenty [...]
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    Outdoors With Othmar Vohringer

  • "Duck Dinasty" A Reality TV Show Worth Watching

    Othmar Vohringer
    28 Apr 2013 | 6:52 pm
    © By Othmar Vohringer Amongst the many reality TV shows on offer today, many of which seek to entertain the viewers with an assortment of dysfunctional people engaged in various forms of self-destructive behaviours, there are some refreshing and (dare I say) wholesome choices available to those of us who enjoy HUNTING. Some of the best are “Swamp People”, “Mountain Men” and “Duck Dynasty” to

  • Will the BC mountain caribou be extinct in our lifetime?

    Othmar Vohringer
    3 Mar 2013 | 9:18 pm
    (Originally published in the Merritt Herald) © By Othmar Vohringer That might very well be the case if drastic conservation measures are not enacted quickly. The emphasis here is on “quickly”, which is a bit of an oxymoron in politics. The southern mountain caribou populations are in rapid decline despite an extensive provincial recovery plan. Why? The caribou recovery plan is complex and

  • Bobcats, Cougars and Feral Cats…It’s a Zoo Out There

    Othmar Vohringer
    7 Feb 2013 | 6:34 pm
    (Originally published in the Merritt Herald) © By Othmar Vohringer Like everyone else in Merritt I followed the almost weekly reports in this newspaper about the sightings of bobcats, cougars and other wildlife in our city. I am also aware that some national media outlets reported on it with their typical sensationalized headlines, like “dangerous wildlife invades Merritt” or “Invasion of

  • Merritt Ice Fishing Derby - A Popular Family Event

    Othmar Vohringer
    14 Jan 2013 | 4:01 pm
    (Originally published in the Merritt Herald - Othmar Vohringer, The Outdoorsman Column)  © By Othmar Vohringer On Sunday, January 13, the Nicola Valley Fish & Game Club hosted its 12th annual ice fishing derby at Mamit Lake. The weather was mostly cloudy but without the cold winds common on that lake, making for cold but pleasant conditions. Close to 200 people and families attended the event

  • Local Anglers And Hunters Meet With NDP Leader Adrian Dix

    Othmar Vohringer
    15 Dec 2012 | 9:21 pm
    (Previously published in the Merritt Herald - Othmar Vohringer, The Outdoorsman)   © By Othmar Vohringer On Sunday, December 2, 2012, NDP leader Adrian Dix and Fraser-Nicola LMA Harry Lali hosted an election information event at the Tropico Spice restaurant in Merritt. Among the 100 plus people attending was a delegation of the Nicola Valley Fish & Game Club (NVF&GC). Harry Lali, who had
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    PaddlingLight.com

  • Spring(?) Kayaking on Brule Lake in the BWCA

    Bryan Hansel
    18 May 2013 | 4:10 pm
    Tweet This spring has been slow in coming. In northern Minnesota, we’re between 14 and 20 days behind median ice out, and it’s wearing a little thin on the nerves. This week some of the bigger lakes in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness finally started to go out, so with that in mind, Jeffrey and Michelle Forseth of Sea Kayak Safety and I went to paddle on Brule Lake. The put-in was completely ice free and it was 50°F, so we figured that we were golden, but as we paddled east along the shore, we started to run into ice and soon ice coated as far as we could see, except for…

  • Kayak Outfitting Idea: Non-Skid Tape to Prevent Jammed Fingers

    Bryan Hansel
    16 May 2013 | 8:00 pm
    Tweet Last December, I read a blog post on Rouge Wave Adventures about how to performance tune a new sea kayak (the post contained many great tips, so I suggest you check it out). What I really liked about the post is that it suggested a new technique that solved an actual problem that I’ve experienced and you may have also. The technique was installing non-skid tape, such as Land N Sea Vinyl Traction Tape on a sea kayak to prevent jammed fingers. When getting out of the kayak’s cockpit, you often put your hands behind you and push on the rear deck to lift your rear. Now and…

  • Dorcy LED Headlamp Review

    Bryan Hansel
    6 May 2013 | 1:32 pm
    Tweet Over the last few months, I’ve been using a couple of Dorcy LED headlamps that they sent to me to review. I’m a bit of a headlamp geek, so I’m always excited when I get a chance to use a new headlamp. But, I’ve settled into using two high-end headlamps that I really like (see The Petzl Zipka Plus vs. the Princeton Tec EOS Headlamp shootout), so I haven’t played around with any new lights lately. High-end headlamps aren’t for everyone and not everyone wants to dish out $40 for a headlamp. Some people would rather spend around $20. The problem with…

  • Why didn’t the kayaker cross the road? Ferry angles in kayaking

    Bryan Hansel
    29 Apr 2013 | 8:52 am
    Tweet The Seven Mile Bridge in the Florida Keys connects the Middle Keys to the Lower Keys. Under the bridge, the water is shallow, and it seems like the 1,000 square miles of the Florida Bay flows through the opening on the tide generating up to 4 knot currents. In a kayak, the current is swift enough to push you out to sea on an ebb tide or into the bay on flood. The common practice in a situation such as this is to find a ferry angle that prevents you from drifting out to sea and this is also a common practice with preventing leeway in cross winds. This is commonly taught as the correct…

  • Touring Sanborn Canoe Company’s Wood Shop

    Bryan Hansel
    24 Apr 2013 | 7:43 am
    Tweet When I think of Sanborn Canoe Company, I think of handcrafted paddles steeped in the heritage of Minnesota’s canoe country. Their paddles take the names of some of the most scenic lakes in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, America’s most used and loved wilderness area. And the owners are the same guys breaking their backs making the paddles. They’re the real deal that love paddling so much that they were willing to sacrifice steady 9-5 jobs to build paddles that can be trusted on long canoe trips. As far as the paddles that they make, they do both bent shaft…
 
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    family camping

  • 10 Least Visited US National Parks System Properties – Part 2

    Eric R
    26 Apr 2013 | 9:53 am
    Continuing yesterday’s post on the least visited National Parks, here are the bottom five. Ranging from a single former residence to a couple remote Alaskan parks, this is a diverse collection of rarely visited national treasures. 5. Thaddeus Kosciuszko National Memorial Visitors in 2012: 2,045 Visitors Average in 5 years: 2,831 Area Size: 0.02 acres (0.0081 ha) Location: Thaddeus Kosciuszko National Memorial is located at 301 Pine St., Philadelphia, PA, which is the corner of Third and Pine streets in downtown Philadelphia. How to Get There: It can be simply accessed by car via I-76…

  • 10 Least Visited US National Parks System Properties – Part 1

    Eric R
    25 Apr 2013 | 9:58 am
    Looking for some elbow room this summer when travelling around? How about checking out the least visited U.S. national parks. This list is a pretty eclectic mix – you might think they would all be located in remote areas or Alaska, but in fact many are near major population centers, and even within the city limits of some large cities! Granted, not all of them are parks in the vein of Yellowstone or the Great Smoky Mountains – one is a single building, and some monuments or historical sites are former manors or other properties preserved for their importance in history, not…

  • Types of Camping Tents

    Eric R
    18 Apr 2013 | 7:42 pm
    There are several different types of camping tents on the market today, and each one has its pros and cons. Here’s an overview of common camping tents you can get at most outfitters and department stores. A-Frame Tents A simple A-Frame tent A-Frame tents are probably what people typically think of when they envision a tent, though there have been some improvements to the design from those you see in Yogi. For one, they typically have four sides and a floor to keep, among other things, animals out. Modern A-Frame. The Eureka Timberline, which I believe is the same model I used in Boy…

  • 5 Tips For Pitching Your Tent

    Eric R
    28 Mar 2013 | 8:31 am
    This guest post was written by Callum Pragnell of LeisureKings.co.uk, a camping equipment store in the UK. If you’re thinking about escaping to the great outdoors with the family or friends sometime in the near future, any tips and advice to pick up before you go is great – especially if it’s your first time! Camping is a great way to have fun in the outdoors whilst also enjoying quality time with your nearest and dearest; but make sure you know what you’re doing. Make it a trip to remember – not a trip to forget! One of the first things most people encounter when going…

  • A Foodies Guide to Camping

    Eric R
    23 Mar 2013 | 8:50 pm
    This guest post was written by Claire Fischer, editor of the FlipKey Blog, a vacation rental company. Claire loves to travel, eat, and share her experiences with those around her. This past summer my boyfriend and I took our first camping trip together. We lived in Boston and decided to head out west to explore new territory and visit Yosemite National Park for the first time. While my boyfriend loves the outdoors, he had never even been camping outside his front yard before. I should also mention that he is a professional chef and unwilling to compromise food quality for his love of nature.
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    the GearCaster

  • Isis Riviera Skirt Review

    Amy Jurries
    19 May 2013 | 7:00 am
    For the past 6 months, I have practically lived in the Isis Riviera Skirt. With a simple, wrap around, Velcro closure style, the skirt is easy to throw on over just about anything to add a bit more coverage and take you from playtime to running errands in a snap. Since November, I have worn the Isis Riviera Skirt for a variety of activities, such as over my swimsuit for stand up paddleboarding and wrapped over a pair of tights when hiking. While spending all day at the beach, the skirt is easy to throw on for a quick trip to the cafe across the street to grab lunch or a gelato. I regularly…

  • C9 By Champion Active Apparel Review

    Amy Jurries
    18 May 2013 | 7:00 am
    Normally you head to Target to stock up on all the household basics such as cotton socks and laundry detergent. Next time you go, head on over to the active apparel section and check out the C9 by Champion gear. Affordable, stylish, and coming in tons of different colors, C9 may just become your new favorite daily workout wear.  Growing up, I always wore Champion sports bras, as I imagine most of you women did too. I really didn't think of Champion beyond just the basics. Recently, however, I met with reps from Target and their PR team to check out the new C9 by Champion active apparel…

  • Wahoo RFLKT Bike Computer Review

    Amy Jurries
    17 May 2013 | 7:00 am
    While training for my ride up Haleakala, I quickly found that endurance hill climb success for me hinged on keeping an eye on my heart rate, ensuring it does not stay above a certain level for too long, lest I blow up early. With my iPhone shoved in my back jersey pocket, the Wahoo RFLKT bike computer enabled me to monitor all my performance stats, showing when to push myself harder and giving me a vehicle to better understand my own capabilities.  The Wahoo RFLKT bike computer basically mirrors the data being captured by your iPhone. Via Bluetooth 4.0, the weatherproof RFLKT receives data…

  • SPOT Global Phone

    Amy Jurries
    16 May 2013 | 7:00 am
    Satellite phones are normally reserved for those going on major mountaineering expeditions. Even then, they are not exactly cheap and easy to come by and usually mean signing up for some major service plan. Now SPOT, maker of the popular messenger device, has launched their own Global Phone or satellite phone that they plan to make available in major retails outlets such as REI and Cabela's and at a price more people can actually afford.  On past mountaineering expeditions such as Aconcagua and Denali, I have rented a satellite phone package from Tom and Tina over at HumanEdgeTech. Monthly…

  • The Charitable National Parks Wine Collection

    Amy Jurries
    15 May 2013 | 7:00 am
       The National Park Foundation has teamed up with Adler Fels Winery to create a charitable National Parks Wine Collection. For each bottle of wine you buy, $2.00 will go towards the Foundation, helping to protect and support America's National Parks. Drink up.  Hand Crafted from select lots of premium California varietals, the National Parks Collection wines are designed to appeal to a broad range of wine consumers. The two initial Yosemite red and white artisan blends feature iconic landscape photos by Mark Burns. Future bottlings will showcase collectible combinations of national park…
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    Survival Blog | Survival Spot

  • Off the Grid 2012

    Survival Spot
    3 May 2013 | 4:34 pm
    The post Off the Grid 2012 appeared first on Survival Blog | Survival Spot.

  • And Man Created Dog

    Survival Spot
    18 Apr 2013 | 9:00 am
    The post And Man Created Dog appeared first on Survival Blog | Survival Spot.

  • 16×9 : Off The Grid: Living off land hour from Vancouver

    Survival Spot
    17 Apr 2013 | 9:00 am
    Imagine an island so secluded there’s no electricity, there are no paved roads and in many cases, no plumbing. That island – called Lasqueti – is home to 400 people and less than an hour away from Vancouver.16×9 traveled there to see what it’s like to live off the grid. The post 16×9 : Off The Grid: Living off land hour from Vancouver appeared first on Survival Blog | Survival Spot.

  • Live & Sleep Safe When The Walking Dead Takes Over

    Survival Spot
    16 Apr 2013 | 9:13 am
    Live & Sleep Safe When The Walking Dead Takes Over infographic The post Live & Sleep Safe When The Walking Dead Takes Over appeared first on Survival Blog | Survival Spot.

  • 3D Printed Guns (Documentary)

    Survival Spot
    15 Apr 2013 | 3:06 pm
    The post 3D Printed Guns (Documentary) appeared first on Survival Blog | Survival Spot.
 
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    DMOutdoors

  • Carter Dome & Mt. Hight - 5/11/13

    18 May 2013 | 9:07 am
    Last weekend, my brother and I got back to the mountains with a plan to bag the Carters, and whatever else we found ourselves up to. The forecast was iffy, with rain expected. It was warm, and the snow is just about gone on the lower parts of the trails. It was nice to be out, now warmer, and to be able to allow nature to touch the skin - its a different world than winter hiking. The awesome sign of spring and warmer temperatures was prevalent as the 19 Mile Brook roared its way down the slopes and out from Carter Notch.The Nineteen Mile Brook Trail head Nothing quite like…

  • Moonlight Franconia Ridge Traverse - 4/27/13

    29 Apr 2013 | 6:29 pm
    What tremendous weather we had this past weekend. I hope everyone got out to enjoy it in some fashion. I certainly did, and lucked out with the perfect night to complete a Franconia Ridge Traverse in the moonlight, starting Saturday afternoon (4/27). The main reason behind taking on this hike was because I needed to hike the Franconia Ridge peaks in April and also because I wanted to get back to some 4000 footers since my winter finish on March 10th. Shoulder soreness, once again, sidelined my brother from coming along. Despite that, it was tough for me to pass this one up, so I elected to…

  • Paddling the Entire Ipswich River - 4/14/2013

    26 Apr 2013 | 8:40 pm
    The Ipswich River, located on the North Shore of Boston, is 35 miles long in its entirety. The river supports dozens of communities along its banks. One can pass over the Ipswich River on bridges in many different towns, but to experience the river in its entirety, between all of those bridges is a completely unique experience. Whether you paddle it in a small section, all at once, or even multiple times, the river seems to always be enjoyable.In August of 2012, I did a solo paddle from South Middleton to Little Neck, where the Ipswich River empties into the Atlantic Ocean. This was a total…

  • Jennings Peak & Sandwich Dome - 3/30/2013

    21 Apr 2013 | 8:53 am
    After a nice warm-up on the Welch-Dickey Loop on March 30th, we headed further up the road to the Sandwich Mountain trail head. I had been wanting to get Sandwich Dome done for a while now, and it was a beautiful morning to continue this peak-bagging mission of getting some new peaks for the first time in a long time.Sandwich Range Wilderness...always nice Sandwich Mountain Trail Incredible from near Noon PeakThe trail was well broken out and throughout the entire ascent was well packed (not mushy yet, but it was progressively mushy on our way down). We passed over Noon Peak taking…

  • Welch-Dickey Mountain (Loop) - 3/30/2013

    20 Apr 2013 | 5:55 pm
    The forecast was looking great for this day at the end of March, and on the agenda was some non-4000 footer action. The plan was a double hit-and-run on Welch-Dickey and Sandwich and Jennings, which was progress on the NEHH and 52 WAV lists. It's amazing that you can hike hundreds of mountains, and climb some new ones and get a brand new sense of awe from another perspective  These four summits in the Sandwich Range sure hold some of the best views in the Whites.Since I'm playing catch up here, I'll do a brief version of a trip report! It was bare ground right at the trailhead, but…
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    GearGuide

  • Top Sports Ear Bud Reviews

    Matt K. and Scott S.
    12 May 2013 | 9:31 am
    Want to take your tunes outside? Well those standard-issue ear buds that came with your iPod or iPhone still leave a lot to be desired. When you decide it’s time to upgrade we suggest looking for a number of things in your next purchase: sweat and water resistance; long (at least 40 inches) tangle-free cord; and an in-ear or over-the-ear design that prevents the ear buds from falling out.Here are three that meet that criteria:Skullcandy Chops – The bargain of the group at under $20 MSRP. Good sound quality and an over-the-ear design that stays put. See review.X-1 Momentum –…

  • Skullcandy Chops Review

    Matt K.
    12 May 2013 | 9:16 am
    First ImpressionsSkullcandy hails from Park City, Utah and makes a wide range of audio products for sports and gaming. Their distinctive logo and vibrant color combinations started a wave in the industry and the company still remains iconic with the boarding and biking crowd. Skullcandy’s Mix Master product cruises up to $350. But of course, we didn’t test that offering. Instead, we gave the bargain-priced Skullcandy Chops a try, and opted for the cool yellow and gray combo.FeaturesAt less than $20 MSRP for the ear bud version, the Chops represent the very bottom of Skullcandy’s…

  • X-1 Momentum Headset Review

    Scott S.
    12 May 2013 | 9:14 am
    First ImpressionsX-1 got its start back in 2001 as H20 Audio. And after more than a decade delivering waterproof workout gear, the company rechristened itself and began rolling out a number of new waterproof headphones for both men and women under the X-1 name. We were excited to test an athletic headset that didn’t require a wrap-around-the-ear or hitch-to-the-head positioning, I could hardly wait to blast my favorite tunes on the open trail. Like a round peg into a corresponding hole, they slid right in. They were immediately comfortable with great sound quality. Still, I couldn’t help…

  • Yurbuds Inspire Duro Review

    Matt K.
    12 May 2013 | 9:13 am
    First ImpressionsYurbuds are relative newcomers to the headphone market having joined the fray in 2008. We’re just starting to see their products pop up on retailers shelves here locally. The company’s packaging features a photo of a women’s face with the word INSPIRE handwritten across it and the claim “guaranteed to never fall out” prominently displayed. We’ve heard that before and been disappointed. So when our sample Inspire Duro ear buds arrived, we couldn’t wait to put them to the test.FeaturesYurbuds makes both an in-ear and over-the-ear…

  • Roll-Top Backpack Reviews

    Matt K.
    5 May 2013 | 9:11 am
    Time to get outside. The sun is warm and the days are longer. So go for a day hike, hit the trail on the mountain bike, or get serious about bagging a couple of summits.To help you in your outside endeavors, GearGuide took a look at three roll-top backpacks. We love the versatility of the roll-top — these products can expand beyond the capacity of their more traditional lidded and zippered brethren, and compress down to fit much smaller loads. And the unique designs of the three products we tested provide even more innovation including advanced ventilation and carrying systems,…
 
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    Camp Out Colorado

  • Colorado Fish Stocking Report for 5-14-2013

    Camper T
    15 May 2013 | 9:58 am
    Fishing is kicking into high gear as the Colorado Division of Wildlife ramps up its stocking of fish into Colorado states lakes! Use this weekly posting to find out where to fish and check out Camp Out Colorado’s solunar calender to find out when to fish! One of my favorite things to do when I am out camping and enjoying the great out of doors is fishing. There’s nothing quite like some fresh fish when you are out camping. A nice hot, healthy meal is the perfect thing when camping. Even if you do not like to eat fish when you are camping the sport of fishing is a lot of fun and…

  • Staunton State Park Grand Opening

    Camper T
    13 May 2013 | 11:49 am
    May 18-19, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m enjoy Colorado’s newest State Park! Attention hikers, rock climbers, mountain bikers, fishermen and all around outdoor enthusiasts, be one of the first to visitors to explore Colorado’s newest state park . During this exciting grand opening weekend, you can hike to view the magnificent Elk Falls and Staunton Rocks and relax afterwards while listening to live music and poetry readings. Adventurous youngsters can give the kids climbing wall or mountain biking course a try, while the artistic and inquisitive can opt for face painting, craft activities…

  • Family Fishing Festival at Lake Pueblo State Park

    Camper T
    12 May 2013 | 12:03 pm
    May 18, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m is the Family Fishing Festival Bring the whole family out for a day of fishing fun at Lake Pueblo State Park . Beginners and experts of all ages are welcome to attend. The Visitor Center will feature activity tables for the kids, while stations set throughout the park will be equipped with staff to teach vital fishing skills through hands-on activities. Some lucky attendees may even walk away with a free fishing pole! Begin your day at the Visitor Center, where maps of the stations will be available. Make sure to pack plenty of snacks and a picnic lunch,…

  • Bird Watching at Castlewood Canyon for Bluebirds

    Camper T
    11 May 2013 | 11:34 am
    Bring the kiddos to learn all about the blue-feathered residents of Castlewood Canyon State Park ! Many bluebirds have built their nests in the boxes lining the park entrance road. Participants will have the exciting opportunity to observe these birds as they prepare for and care for their new families. This program is designed for children from ages three to six. An adult must accompany all children. The program will begin in the park Visitor Center. Remember to bring your camera’s and binoculars to capture the beautiful birds in the area. Related PostsGo Camping For Free During…

  • Springtime Stargazing at Highline Lake State Park

    Camper T
    8 May 2013 | 11:20 am
    One of my favorite things to do while camping is stargazing. There isn’t anything quite as grand as a clear mountain view of the sky far away from any light pollution. Here is a great opportunity to learn more about our night sky from the Western Colorado Astronomy Club. Reserve a campsite and be ready for a fun night of star gazing! Join members of the Western Colorado Astronomy Club for an evening of star gazing, planet viewing and exploring the wonders of the nighttime sky at Highline Lake State Park . This evening’s program will focus on the viewing of the planet Jupiter and…
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    Outdorky

  • Hike // Cataract Falls, Marin Municipal Water District

    Chris Marks
    8 May 2013 | 8:00 am
    Cataract Falls. The trail up Cataract Creek is short but surprisingly steep and stacked with natural beauty, waterfall after waterfall dot the sides of the trail until the top of Bolinas Ridge where impressive views of Point Reyes and the Pacific Ocean await. Crowds can be an issue though, so when the weather is nice be prepared to share the trail with about half of Marin or hit the trail on a more sour afternoon to avoid the disneyland experience. Hike Summary Difficulty Moderate Distance 3.6 Miles Popularity Popular Peak Season Winter, Spring Fees None The trail up Cataract Creek begins…

  • Thoughts on the Boston Marathon

    Chris Marks
    17 Apr 2013 | 5:00 am
    As a runner and a native New Englander*, I feel very personally affected by the bombings at the Boston Marathon in way that I’ve never felt about similar events and I feel compelled to write something. I’m crushed that what should have been such an exuberant and happy day, Patriots Day, a day that started with a walk-off win at Fenway, has been tainted by violence. I love Boston deeply. It breaks my heart that runners who worked so hard to reach the finish line had a moment of glory turned into fear and horror. Most of all though, it hurts me very deeply that race supporters, out to cheer…

  • Gallery // Yosemite Valley

    Chris Marks
    15 Apr 2013 | 8:00 am
    Yosemite Valley from Inspiration Point Wilted Oak Leaf, Half Dome distant Bridalveil Falls Rainbow Tracks on a Black Oak Leaf on a Stormy Morning Clouds shrouding the walls of Yosemite Point Lone Pine and Storm Clouds, near Yosemite Falls Storm Clouds rising past Glacier Point Yosemite Falls from Ahwahnee Meadows Summit of El Capitan Visible Through Storm Clouds Bridalveil Falls Black Oak in Rain, Cathedral Meadow Face of El Capitan Afternoon Light in Yosemite Valley from Indian Ridge Half Dome at Sunset from North Dome Base of Upper Yosemite Falls Yosemite Valley from Yosemite Point Half…

  • List // Overrated/Underrated

    Chris Marks
    8 Apr 2013 | 8:00 am
    Fleece - Underrated Fleece needs to fire its agent because down has totally taken over the insulation conversation. Fleece is warm, comfortable, cheap, easy to care for. These days, it’s mostly known for that it’s not, as light as down. Down is rightfully appreciated as a marvelous insulator but fleece is often the more practical solution. No care is required with fleece, you just wear it, and take it off, and sometimes, when you feel like it, you wash it. Admittedly there is nothing sexy about practical solutions but fleece has become totally underrated. S’mores - Overrated Unpopular…

  • Found Friday // April 5th, 2013

    Chris Marks
    5 Apr 2013 | 3:00 pm
    I was recently turned on to a fairly cool new sports and outdoors gear website. Hypespec has some seriously nice design and presentation. Each product blurb takes only a minute or so to read so they've set up a nice easy way to digest information on new stuff if you're interested on such things. Now! On to the reading list! Outdoors Outdoor Women's Alliance posted a monster winter gear review for ladies. Tom Stienstra at SFGate dropped some knowledge on where to find wildflowers in the Bay Area in this remarkably poor year for them. Runblogger posted a very nice review of the Saucony's new…
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    GearWeAre.com

  • MSR – Surelock TR-3 Trekking Poles

    Andy
    16 May 2013 | 2:05 am
    We were won over by these poles and my wife especially is looking forward to using them in her upcoming climbing attempt of Mt Snowdon where they will undoubtedly be an invaluable aid, particularly knowing her dislikes of ‘ups’. Read more...

  • Paramo – Halcon Traveller Jacket

    Andy
    15 May 2013 | 2:02 am
    I went out on a short(ish) walk and loaded myself up with a local OS Map, Food For Free guide book, Photography guide book, Camera accessory pack, torch, pen, sunglasses, phone, knife, binoculars and small drink bottle but after that I ran out of things to put in all of the pockets. I did also carry a small pack with the rest of my camera gear and other bulkier items. Read more...

  • Cicerone – Moveable Feasts

    Andy
    13 May 2013 | 2:33 am
    It takes some going over and will sit on your bedside table for ages and keep you thinking – but it’s well worth it, even if you get a few golden nuggets which will make your camping trip more comfy and tastier. A great gift for difficult 'i do outdoors' family members, as it will keep them happy for hours. Read more...

  • Ohyo – Collapsible Drinking Bottle

    Andy
    2 May 2013 | 5:22 am
    The Wife is a particularly bad user of bottled water. We must have 10 perfectly good reusable bottles in our cupboard, but she still feels the need to purchase a litre of some posh french water whenever she drives anywhere. It drives me potty, so I am trying to stash the handy compressed Ohyo bottles shown above in her car as an aide-memoir to save the planet. Read more...

  • MSR – Trail Lite Duo System

    Andy
    2 May 2013 | 4:43 am
    A Russian Dolls affair comprising a hard-anodised Aluminium 2-litre pan which has been coated in a non-stick ceramic and works a treat for cooking up everything from water for your tea to beans for your belly. I'm a particular fan of the MSR pans, with their visually appealing looks and clever clear lids which feature an in-built drainer and silicone rubber handle which doesn't get hot. Read more...
 
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    Gear Tested

  • Reviewed: Chubbies Shorts

    John Giuffre
    15 May 2013 | 6:45 pm
    Shorts have always been a touchy subject for men. How short? Cargo? Color? Well San Francisco based Chubbies Shorts has the answer, 5.5″ of the most “radical shorts for men”....

  • Reviewed: Bremont Supermarine S2000

    John Giuffre
    15 Apr 2013 | 2:12 pm
    The Bremont Supermarine S2000 may just be the most capable dive watch produced. Yes, I did just say that a brand new model from a relatively small British manufacturer beat out iconic time...

  • Chubbies Shorts: The Cargo Embargo

    John Giuffre
    8 Apr 2013 | 12:59 pm
    Later on in the month we will be reviewing Chubbies Shorts, in the mean time check out their latest venture, The Cargo Embargo From ChubbiesShorts.com THE MISSION:  The Cargo Embargo...

  • Brand Feature: Bremont Watches

    John Giuffre
    2 Apr 2013 | 10:58 am
    Rarely does a brand come around that is both relatively new yet still has history to back them up. Bremont, a British watch company founded in 2007 by Nick and...

  • Bear Grylls Makes Flight Safety Interesting

    John Giuffre
    26 Feb 2013 | 3:00 pm
    We have all seen the Southwest Airlines flight attendant rap through the pre-flight instructions but for the more outdoorsy folk, check out Bear’s attempt. About “The Bear Essentials of Safety” video:...
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    Gear Exposure

  • Mammut’s new Ultimate Light jacket and Atacazo, kit for summer activities

    Fabien
    15 May 2013 | 12:07 pm
    Mammut has two new pieces of kit for this summer to show: the Atacazo t-shirt and the Ultimate Light Jacket. With the warmer weather around the corner the Swiss brand is complementing its comprehensive collection with new lightweight products. First is the Atacazo Zip-T, a highly breathable short sleeve t-shirt. It is made of Polartec Power Dry High Efficiency fabric which will wick moisture and dry fast. The welcome addition of a zip will allow regulated ventilation. The fabric is also treated Antimicrobial to prevent odours and is bluesign certified. Its is not cheap at the announced 80€…

  • TomTom to release GPS sports watches under its own name

    Joe
    10 May 2013 | 7:17 am
    To follow in the GPS sports watch sector, it is GPS giant TomTom’s turn to enter the market with a pair of watches, this time branded under it own name. The Dutch company announced a few weeks ago the imminent release of the TomTom Runner and the TomTom Multisport. The first one, as its name suggest, will be designed for joggers while the Multi-Sport will add functionalities like swimming motion sensor or barometric altimeter and will let you track speed, distance, pace and other metrics. The watches are controlled by one unique button on the wrist. The interface is said to be very…

  • Suunto updates its GPS watch line with Ambit2 and Ambit2 S

    Ben
    3 May 2013 | 7:14 am
    Suunto is refreshing its Ambit GPS sport watch with not one but two new models. The Ambit2 S and the Ambit2 share most of their older sister’s features but will each focus on specific activities. To meet the needs of performance sports-oriented users even better, we felt that a lighter, slimmer GPS with more sports-specific features was needed to complement the Ambit family. says Suunto president, Mikko Moilanen. The Ambit2 S is the multisport one with options for running, cycling and swimming. Aside from the GPS  information like speed, navigation and tracking, the Ambit2 S supports…

  • Faster recovery with SmartWool’s PhD Compression socks

    Marie
    24 Apr 2013 | 2:40 pm
    SmartWool, the Steamboat Springs based manufacturer of Merino Wool apparel have an impressive range of socks. Their latest addition, the PhD Run Graduated Compression is, like its name suggest, a PhD sock with added compression for faster recovery. Athletes recovery time can be boosted by compressing which improves the blood flow and in turn helps keep muscles oxygenated. It also stimulate the flushing of the lactic acid that formed during exercise to minimise swelling and soreness. Add to that the great natural properties of the Merino wool: fast drying, great temperature control and…

  • Asolo releases Salyan and Jumla GV for its approach collection

    Fabien
    22 Apr 2013 | 1:04 pm
    Asolo, the Italian footwear manufacturer, has released two new models in its approach and via ferrata range. The Salyan and its sibling the Jumla GV are said to offer the best construction and features for demanding days at the crag. Asolo has a proven track record in crafting great footwear for all type of mountain sports. 30 years ago they created their first lightweight trekking shoe and they have since brought to market successful models in most alpine disciplines. This spring they are bringing the approach and via ferrata line back to the front line with the Salyan (pictured above) and…
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    Northern California Hiking Trails

  • Walking the Camino de Santiago in Northern Spain

    John Soares
    6 May 2013 | 7:20 am
    Stephanie and I just saw the excellent documentary film Walking the Camino: Six Ways to Santiago here in Ashland, Oregon. This hike has been on my radar for the last couple of years, never more so than now! The Camino de Santiago is a 500-mile trek across northern Spain to the cathedral in Santiago de [...]Related Posts:Russian Lake in the Russian WildernessLittle Bear Lake in the Trinity AlpsSee the Lunar Eclipse Saturday Morning, December 10, 2011Video of Crater Lake from Garfield PeakFunny Spoof on BP Oil Spill

  • Video of Crater Lake from Garfield Peak

    John Soares
    29 Aug 2012 | 12:03 am
    Garfield Peak in Crater Lake National Park offers great views of the lake and also other landmarks, including Mount Thielsen. Stephanie and I spent two days in the area last week. We camped in the park the first night and outside the park on BLM land the second night. Stunning area! More pics and vids [...]Related Posts:Russian Lake in the Russian WildernessLittle Bear Lake in the Trinity AlpsSee the Lunar Eclipse Saturday Morning, December 10, 2011Columbine Lake, Sawtooth Peak, and Sawtooth Pass in the…Funny Spoof on BP Oil Spill

  • Interview with Conifer Country Author Michael Kauffmann

    John Soares
    14 Aug 2012 | 12:02 am
    Michael Kauffmann is the author of Conifer Country: A Natural History and Hiking Guide to 35 Conifers of the Klamath Mountain Region. I’ve been very impressed and very informed by Michael’s Conifer Country blog, and he has written an excellent book. And now let’s hear from Michael about his background, the book, and his future [...]Related Posts:Climbing Mount Hilton in the Trinity Alps in Late DecemberWinter Hiking to Bear Basin Butte in the Siskiyou WildernessHiking Big Bear Lake in the Trinity AlpsWhy Hiking Guidebook Authors Should Get a 50% Royalty on…Help Fellow…

  • Hiking Big Bear Lake in the Trinity Alps

    John Soares
    12 Aug 2012 | 12:09 am
    Hiking/backpacking to Big Bear Lake and Little Bear Lake in the Trinity Alps is one of my favorite far northern California excursions. Trailhead access is easy, and I quickly get into beautiful sub-alpine granite wilderness. Note that the hike itself is relatively steep — you need to be in decent shape. (This post is based [...]Related Posts:Little Bear Lake in the Trinity AlpsMy Trinity Alps Backpacking Trip — Caribou Lake,…Trinity Divide Mountains: Seven Lakes BasinYes, I Did Go Skinny-Dipping with 12 Naked Women in the…Mt Julius Caesar in John Muir Wilderness…

  • Federal Court Ruling Could Restrict Access to Private Lands for Hikers

    John Soares
    6 Aug 2012 | 11:19 am
    Many hikers and outdoors recreation enthusiasts use private land with the owners’ permission. However, a federal court ruling regarding the 2007 Moonlight Fire on Sierra Pacific land may have a major impact on that. Here’s a press release I just received from the California Forestry Association. You can also read a transcript of a KCHO [...]Related Posts:Marijuana Growers Threaten Private Lands in CaliforniaEnvironmental Benefits of Wood as a Green Building MaterialUSDA Forest Service Climate Change Plan Will Affect Hiking…Fire Restrictions Lifted on Shasta-Trinity National…
 
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    BIRDINGBLOGS.COM

  • Journal Club: Scarlet macaw genome sequenced

    Grrlscientist
    15 May 2013 | 1:00 pm
    SUMMARY: The newly-sequenced scarlet macaw genome will provide many important insights into avian and human biology, behaviours and genetics and will contribute to parrot conservation. Scarlet macaw, Ara macao, in flight.Image: Tambopata Research Center. [NOTE: This image has been altered; it has been cropped.] After many years of research into the behaviours, diseases, genetics and life history of scarlet macaws, a team of scientists have taken their studies to the next level. Christopher Seabury, an Assistant Professor of Genetics at Texas A&M University’s college of Veterinary…

  • Alphabet Bird Collection | Book Review

    Grrlscientist
    8 May 2013 | 12:00 pm
    Summary: A delightful book for baby birders that is crammed with poetry, information and gorgeous paintings of birds! Oh yeah, it teaches the letters of the English alphabet, too. Magpie. Image: acrylic painting by Shelli Ogilvy (2008). Do you wish to share your love of birds, art and books with (your) children? If so, then you will really enjoy the Alphabet Bird Collection, a lovely children’s book that was written and illustrated by Shelli Ogilvy [Sasquatch Books, 2009; Amazon UK; Amazon US]. This beautiful book is designed to teach children the alphabet whilst also teaching them a…

  • New innovation to ease springtime mudflat-squidging

    Grrlscientist
    3 Apr 2013 | 11:00 am
    SUMMARY: If your idea of observing “spring” includes binoculars, then you will love this fabulous new innovation Do you like to watch birds and other animals (or even your neighbours)? If so, then you’ll be happy to learn about a wonderful advance in technology that is guaranteed to add thousands if not millions of new “watchers” to those who already enjoy this hobby! So how did you spend your spring holiday? If you are like me, you might have been squidging around on mudflats with mud threatening to suck your boots off with every step you take, with a pair of…

  • Semi-finals World Bird Destination Cup 2013

    Gunnar
    31 Mar 2013 | 10:43 pm
    Long time. It is time to wrap up the Bird Destination World Cup for 2013.  Last round had over 100 votes in each game, which is the highest number of participants so far. I chose to have the polls open and untied to each other, because it is is more exciting to see how the score changes, even though it invites for “cheating” Cheating?  Perhaps a bit strong, but one can easily see tendencies of local campaigning which perhaps are not relevant to the opinion world birders have.  The idea is that voters SHOULD VOTE IN EACH GAME – not only for their native country. On the…

  • WANT TO TAKE GREAT RAINFOREST PHOTOS? GET TO KNOW YOUR SUBJECTS!

    GlennBartley
    26 Feb 2013 | 9:29 am
    Photography in the tropics can be a very challenging endeavor. Aside from the technical aspects of photography (such as shooting in low light and using fill flash) photographers must also come to terms with the fact that they are now dealing with species and ecosystems that are unfamiliar. Because of this, when it comes to tropical nature photography arming yourself with as much knowledge as is possible is a tremendous asset and will ultimately lead to more opportunities to create exceptional images. It is important for photographers and naturalists to realize that in such diverse communities…
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    Hiking The Trail

  • Gear Review: RIBZ Front Pack

    admin
    16 May 2013 | 11:18 am
    This past weekend I got to experience testing out my first ever front pack. The pack that I was able to test was a RIBZ Front Pack. Before I get into the review let me take a brief moment to explain... [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

  • Things I learned about and from the AT – People can and will surprise you

    admin
    15 May 2013 | 4:47 pm
    Give people enough time and they will surprise you.  In my last post I talked about community. Today I want to talk about people.  There are always people who will rub you the wrong way and then... [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

  • 4 Basic Tips on Mountaineering Nutrition

    admin
    14 May 2013 | 8:30 am
    So, you’ve decided that you are going to come on your first mountaineering expedition, or perhaps you are actually quite experienced in the field. Whatever the case may be, you need to have the... [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

  • Things I learned about and from the AT – Community

    admin
    13 May 2013 | 1:09 pm
    Living in the city and working in corporate America many people tend to loose sight of the amazing feeling of community. This is not always their fault it can be caused by many factors of life.... [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

  • Things I learned about and from the AT – The AT is the Disney World of trails

    admin
    6 May 2013 | 8:15 pm
    I have mentioned to a number of people that the AT is the Disney World of hiking trail. This statement can be seen as both positive and negative. Before you go off and think I am crazy let me explain... [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]
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    Appalachia & Beyond

  • Gear Review: Terramar Body-Sensor Helix Shirts

    Tim Bird
    10 May 2013 | 4:30 am
    Some of you may know that I am a proud member of the Terramar Tribe. For those of you who don't, well now you do. What's the Terramar Tribe you ask? That's the brand ambassador program for Terramar Sports. Terramar Sports is the maker of wonderful base-layers that help to fuel our adventures by... This is a content summary only. Please visit Appalachia & Beyond for the full post, pictures and links.

  • Race Report: War at Windrock Stage 2: 10K

    Tim Bird
    3 May 2013 | 4:37 am
    As many of you know, especially if you read the last post, that I recently completed two trail races in one day thanks to the War at Windrock Trail Running Festival hosted by Dirty Bird Events. After successfully completing Stage 1 of War at Windrock Move Fast 4 miler, it was time to rest up and... This is a content summary only. Please visit Appalachia & Beyond for the full post, pictures and links.

  • Review: 2Toms Stink Free Sports Detergent - Part 2

    Robin
    2 May 2013 | 4:13 am
    So, if you didn't catch Part 1, 2Toms Stink Free Sports Detergent got the stink out of Tim's running socks. It was a HUGE accomplishment really. I was ready to throw them in the trash after them having sat lonesome in one of Tim's pair of running shoes for a week. That got me thinking... I... This is a content summary only. Please visit Appalachia & Beyond for the full post, pictures and links.

  • Race Report: War at Windrock Stage 1: 4 Miler

    Tim Bird
    30 Apr 2013 | 4:37 am
    I took about 2 weeks off following the Dark Hollow Wallow trail race I ran back in February. One reason for this was it was the longest race I've run in a very long time. The other reason, and main reason, was because Robin was having back surgery two days after the race and I was on tap to take... This is a content summary only. Please visit Appalachia & Beyond for the full post, pictures and links.

  • Finding Solace in Tragedy

    Robin
    15 Apr 2013 | 8:20 pm
    It's hard to know what to say on days like today. As I sat watching some horrific details unfold on the television while my almost 16-month-old played at my feet, so many thoughts went through my head. What was I going to say to our teenager when she asked me what was going on? Who would do such a... This is a content summary only. Please visit Appalachia & Beyond for the full post, pictures and links.
 
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    Brian's Backpacking Blog

  • PROBAR Core Protein Bars – Taste Test

    Brian Green
    17 May 2013 | 11:08 am
    If you’re a regular reader of my blog you’ll know that I am a huge fan of PROBAR snack bars. I’ve written about them several times and even shared a more detailed post on how I use them as the cornerstone of my no-cook backpacking meal plan. All of those posts were about the PROBAR Meal bars, ideal for replacing a whole meal with one compact, nutritious bar. Now I’d like to turn your attention to one of their newer bars, their CORE protein bars. 20g of Plant Protein As you would expect from PROBAR these bars are packed with the very best ingredients just like their…

  • My Three Favorite Bushcraft Items

    Brian Green
    8 May 2013 | 6:44 pm
    In January I was tagged by Hendrik of Hiking in Finland to name my three favourite Bushcraft and/ or Camping items. Due to old age and my declining memory and partly because things have been a little hectic so far this year, I never got round to posting my response. Sorry Hendrik, but thanks for your patience. So without further ado, here are my three favorite Bushcraft items, in no particular order. The Knife: Dan Koster Custom Bushcraft This knife was custom-made for me by boutique knife maker, Daniel Koster and I couldn’t be happier with the final result. Here are the…

  • Backpacking Meals: What to Eat on the Trail

    Brian Green
    7 May 2013 | 7:25 am
    Photo by Dave Giordano One of my personal battles with backpacking is always the question, what am I going to eat on the trail? I love hiking long distances and setting up camp but I don’t love freeze-dried backpacking meals. I used to pack my backpack full of granola bars and trail mix and try to make it as far as I could. With a 200+ mile trip on the John Muir Trail coming up, I started doing a little more research on easy, lightweight and good tasting backpacking meals. I’ve found that backpacking meals don’t have to taste bad. It is possible to make easy lightweight…

  • Montane Minimus – Ultralight Rain Shell

    Brian Green
    23 Apr 2013 | 6:04 pm
    Every once and a while you come across a piece of gear that screams quality and functionality. When I find such items I share them here, on my blog, with you. Trust me when I tell you that there are hundreds of products that I get asked to review that do not make it onto my blog. Simply put, if I wouldn’t use it myself, then I wouldn’t expect you to either. Time for a Replacement I’ve been on somewhat of a grail search of late for a new ultralight wet weather jacket that can replace my trusty old Dri-Duck. There’s nothing wrong with my DD other than it’s seen too…

  • Peak Design Leash and Cuff + Daily Giveaway!

    Brian Green
    16 Apr 2013 | 10:26 am
    I want to give you all a quick heads up on some new photography related gear that I’m testing and let you know about a great opportunity for you to win some of this gear for yourselves. Last year I wrote about the Capture Camera Clip System by Peak Design and how much I loved that it made my camera accessible all the time by the ingenious way it attached to the shoulder strap of my backpack. If you missed that blog post be sure to check it out: Capture Camera Clip System. In addition to the Capture Clip I’ve recently been putting Peak Design’s new Leash and Cuff products…
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    Roamancing

  • Travel Inspired Design

    Brie Mason
    18 May 2013 | 10:12 am
    As I sit here at this moment, I am looking out my window at a beautiful tranquil view of sailboats, water and the earthy tones that say vacation.  Well, I suppose that does depend on how you define ‘window’.  I’m really looking at two beautiful paintings that look like views from some of our favorite travel destinations.   If this really was outside my window, just imagine the beautiful flowing summer dress I’d be wearing right now!   It wasn’t until today that I realized our entire living space was designed in the same colour family as the paintings.

  • On Travelling Alone

    Megan Ho
    8 May 2013 | 9:49 pm
    People always advise young girls from travelling alone. Though their concern is usually for safety reasons, I’ve always avoided travelling alone because I thought I would get lonely. After all, aren’t the beautiful places in the world better enjoyed with the people you love? Then, last summer, a last-minute trip to Europe for a family wedding meant I ended up making plans to travel alone for the first time. And lo and behold, I loved it. I had journeyed alone to other countries before, but this was different. Other times, I had met up with friends or stayed with people I knew. This time,…

  • Never Shoot A Stampede Queen – Win Vancouver Tickets

    Emme Rogers
    3 May 2013 | 10:58 am
    I am not sure about the rest of you, but one of my favourite side effects of travelling is taking the time to read.  And a favourite author of mine, that I tend to place at the tops of the holiday reads priority pile, is Mark Leiren-Young.  I still have yet to read Mark’s latest book, Free Magic Secrets Revealed, that has only just hit bookstores in the past few weeks, but up until now, my favourite read of Mark’s has been Never Shoot a Stampede Queen.  And I don’t think I am alone in it being a favourite, as Mark won a Leacock Medal for humour for this novel. For those…

  • Exploring Phoenix

    Brie Mason
    29 Apr 2013 | 4:00 pm
    This is the third post in a series of posts by Brie Mason on her mini vacation to Phoenix with her two kids. Read her first two posts on Overcoming Fears Road Tripping to Phoenix Arizona & Our Phoenix Oasis at the Marriott Canyon Villas in Desert Ridge by clicking on the links.   Now, while we loved our time relaxing at the Marriott Canyon Villas, our mini vacation would not be complete without exploring Phoenix.  We only had to travel about 5 minutes from the hotel to discover what was to be one of the highlights of our trip to Phoenix – The MIM (Musical Instrument Museum).

  • Our Phoenix Oasis at the Marriott Canyon Villas in Desert Ridge

    Brie Mason
    27 Apr 2013 | 12:41 pm
    This is the second post in a series of posts by Brie Mason on her mini vacation to Phoenix with her two kids. Read her first post on Overcoming Fears Road Tripping to Phoenix Arizona by clicking on this link.   I felt right at home exploring in Phoenix, yet it was different enough for me to feel like it was a true vacation getaway.  With the kids, of course, and I’ll admit, myself too, the first thing to explore is always the hotel! We routinely drop our luggage and run around the room, bouncing on the beds, scoping out the bathroom, checking out our view, the TV, and any other…
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    Seattle Backpackers Magazine

  • DeLorme inReach Product Review

    Blake Miller
    17 May 2013 | 7:48 am
    The DeLorme inReach is a two-way satellite communication transceiver with GPS capability. DeLorme has steadily updated the inReach product line over the last several years. The latest model is a robust device that outstrips many of the competitors’ products in terms of capability; specifically in the field communications options, social network messaging and position reporting is a big step beyond sending preloaded messages. Like other models, the unit’s SOS function provides communications to first responders (e.g., Search and Rescue) in emergency situations. The inReach was both…

  • Spring Wildflower and Photography Hikes

    Karen Sykes
    16 May 2013 | 7:35 am
    Editorial: You wanted another excuse to get out and see wildflowers, right? Here are three more favorites from Karen Sykes.  Remember, ideal conditions cannot be guaranteed; please contact the appropriate land-management agency for up-to-date trail and road conditions, carry the ten essentials and prepared for conditions you may encounter. Below are some of our favorite late spring Washington hikes, early summer hikes with the focus on photography without much risk to life, limb and happiness. The trails described here were hiked in May/June/early July of 2012 (conditions may have changed…

  • Best Hiking Socks

    Patricia Bradbury
    15 May 2013 | 6:56 am
    The Hiking season is here. Have you seen your socks? We beat on a bunch of socks and found out what we liked and what we didn’t. See how your favorite hiking socks held up to our test.   I have the worst feet in the world. I’m not kidding. The worst. If I even think “blister” I’ve got one in seconds. I actually get blisters beneath my callouses. Of course, callouses are your feet’s way of protecting you from getting blisters. My feet just go ahead and blister anyway, callouses or not. What really helps me is some extra cushioning, resulting in fewer hotspots and no sneaky…

  • Mount St Helens Anniversary

    Orion Ahrensfeld
    14 May 2013 | 8:33 am
    Mount Saint Helens… for locals the name conjures up images of either lush unrivaled beauty, or absolute carnage and destruction. For those who knew the mountain before May 18th, 1980, Mount St Helens was the crown jewel of the Cascades. Often compared to Mt. Fuji for its perfectly symmetrical cone, photographers and painters alike captured her beauty, often reflected in the pure blue waters of nearby Spirit Lake. Before 1980, the mountain symbolized hiking, fishing, backpacking and relaxation along the slopes of the mountain and nearby ridges, or exploration and summer activities along the…

  • The Wolverine Sentinel Boot Review

    Isaac Tait
    13 May 2013 | 7:55 am
    The Wolverine Sentinel is a full leather boot that is made in the USA. The Sentinel is durable, highly water resistant, comfortable and has a surprisingly sticky sole.  I beat it up during the testing period and it looks no worse for wear. From mountain rescue operations while carrying a full pack, to rock climbing adventures in the High Sierra, this mid to light hiker performed well above my expectations. Pros   When confronted with a creek crossing, I tend to plunge straight on through. I prefer this to balancing on small rocks and risking a twisted ankle (plus, it’s much more fun…
 
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    ModernSurvivalOnline.com

  • This place is falling apart……

    Rourke
    18 May 2013 | 10:36 pm
    The United States is falling apart. I am convinced daily that this country is falling apart and I believe history will show things are accelerating. What the end game will be I don’t know and what the time frame is – mystery as well. Bottom line is evil is growing stronger and it is not looking good. I don’t want to jump all into politics – rather I will point out some of the wrongdoings of those in power have been and are doing. The recent events overtaking the headlines are just a few indications.   These are just a mild sampling of recent…

  • Guest Post: 10 Things You Must Have In a Bug-Out Bag

    Rourke
    18 May 2013 | 10:13 pm
    10 Things You Must Have In a Bug-Out Bag   How long would it take for you to put a bag of emergency items together during a crisis? An hour? Maybe a couple of hours? Well, during an evacuation or other emergency situation, you may only have minutes to act fast. Will you be prepared to survive without emergency assistance for at least three days? What is a Bug-Out-Bag? A bug-out-bag is essential a 72-hour portable kit. It should contain the emergency items you’ll need after an evacuation. Since these kits are designed for 3-day survival, the main focus is all about evacuations.

  • Guest Post: The 3 5′s……….

    Rourke
    17 May 2013 | 10:09 pm
      The 3 5′s   We know that in the aftermath of any major event like a hurricane or even some riot brought on by a political differences, society tends to fall apart. Once that happens, we know what comes next. This is what is known as the 3 5s. Check out how this law has played out in real life scenarios.   3-5 Hours Looting Happens Within three to five hours of an incident, looting starts to happen as people begin to panic. People will do whatever it takes to get the supplies they need to survive or simply things that they want. There are some people who do not…

  • Irish-7 on Arsenal and Gear…….

    Rourke
    16 May 2013 | 9:09 pm
    What follows is an edited and updated version of an article that Irish-7 wrote and had published over at SurvivalBlog.com. The original version can be seen here - http://www.survivalblog.com/2011/09/a_survival_battery_and_gear_fo.html.    Arsenal and Gear by Irish-7, Editor-at-Large    First, a little background and base information. I am a retired US Army First Sergeant with over 30 years of military service. I have performed multiple jobs of my lengthy career, mainly in the Combat Arms. I was a Mortarman and Automatic Rifleman in the Airborne Infantry. I was a Unit Armorer, Supply…

  • Brownell’s 30-round magazines in stock….

    Rourke
    16 May 2013 | 9:02 pm
    Hey all -  Wanted to pass on to those of you who are looking to pick up some magazines for your AR-platform firearm. Brownell’s has several versions of their reputable AR/M4 magazines in stock and for very good prices. Their 30 round aluminum magazines is currently available for only $13.99. It does not appear there is any limit. I have several of these and they have worked great for me. For more information click HERE. Now….if I could just find some .22LR! Rourke © 2013, Rourke. All rights reserved. Tweet
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    The Cottage Chronicles

  • Hear The Rain On The Roof

    Rob Dares
    12 May 2013 | 6:05 pm
    Ya Know….there is something nice about being at the camp during a heavy rainstorm. The sound of the rain on the roof, the cozy warmth of a fire in the wood stove staving off the dampness. It’s one of those nights for us, tucked away at the camp, all nice and cozy on a Sunday night. The dreaded Sunday night of a few years ago when I had to work on Mondays, has become one of my favorite nights of the week. The steady patter of the rain on the roof reminds me of so many summers that have passed. So many nights I spent here at the camp, listening to the rain on the roof as I slipped…

  • Haywood Outdoor Firepit

    Rob Dares
    11 May 2013 | 11:19 am
    If you are looking for a sturdy, attractive and yet practical outdoor fireplace for the cottage, here it is! This is the Landmann Haywood Sturdy Steel Fire Pit. This firepit is constructed of sturdy steel and is designed to allow for 360 degree viewing of the fire, yup, you can see the fire from all sides. The Haywood firepit comes with a large hinged front door for easy access to the fire. It has an embossed design on the fire box that provides visual interest while the large spark screen keeps embers contained. And it comes with a built in wood grate and poker. © 2013, Rob Dares. All…

  • Trail Camera Pics

    Rob Dares
    4 May 2013 | 4:19 pm
    I’ve been having some fun of late with my Wild Game Innovations Digital Game Camera I put the trail camera up in inconspicuous places around the camp and have gotten several pics of my neighbors out for a walk and some other folks having a look around the camp. Folks I don’t recognize, so it’s probably good to have them on the trail camera just in case. The Wildgame Innovations Trail Camera is an inexpensive trail camera but does a pretty good job all things considered. This trail camera is easy to set up, works 24 hours a day and takes a reasonably good photo for an…

  • Ace 36 Floe Craft Boat

    Rob Dares
    29 Apr 2013 | 6:31 pm
    Ya Know….some stuff just catches my eye. In this case it’s a boat, but not just any boat, this boat is a Floe Craft and it says luxury. This is a boat. I mean boat. I mean nice boat. What’s more, it appears with this boat the women all wear sexy dresses or bikini’s. My kind of boat. Yup…. © 2013, Rob Dares. All rights reserved. The Cottage Chronicles / Rob Dares material is copyrighted, please contact me if you wish to inquire about reposting etc Have You Seen These?Boat Docking SystemHewitt Dock Builders VideoSun Tracker Pontoon BoatCoolest Guy At The Boat…

  • Dock Building Books

    Rob Dares
    29 Apr 2013 | 4:55 pm
    If you are planning a new dock for in front of your waterfront cottage or home this year, here are two books that will help you in that process. The Dock Manual by Max Burns is devoted entirely to planning, constructing, and maintaining residential docks on rivers, lakes, and oceans. Order today from Amazon here: The Dock Manual: Designing/Building/Maintaining Building and Maintaining Docks by Chris Lamping. Illustrated with color photography, and featuring the latest technologies in dock construction and building materials.Order your copy from Amazon here:Building & Maintaining Docks:…
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    CheapTents Outdoor Gear Blog

  • Microadventures with Alastiar Humphreys

    Daniel
    9 May 2013 | 2:30 am
    It was back in September 2011 that we last interviewed Alastair Humphreys about his adventures large and micro. At the time Alastair was part way through his year of Microadventures. The concept of a microadventure being that it is an adventure close to home that is cheap, easy to organise and most of all, fun! [...]

  • The GO Trek with Dave and Squash

    Daniel
    1 May 2013 | 7:37 am
    Yesterday (30th April) saw the beginning of Dave Cornthwaite‘s eighth adventure in his twenty five Expedition 1000 challenges. For each of his challenges Dave is using non-motorised transport to travel at least 1000 miles. In this latest adventure, called the GO trek Dave Cornthwaite and Squash Falconer will be travelling 3000 miles on ElliptiGO running [...]

  • Walking in Llangurig, Mid Wales

    Daniel
    25 Apr 2013 | 2:19 am
    This was an enjoyable 11 mile walk in Mid Wales. The main thing that stood out being the differing types of scenery which included farmland, pine forests and moorland. With about 400 m of height gain there’s not too much uphill! Starting from the car park in the village of Llangurig, there was gentle introduction [...]

  • Jack Wolfskin Sanctuary II RT Tent Review

    Daniel
    11 Apr 2013 | 2:17 am
    The Jack Wolfskin Sanctuary II RT is a spacious, 2 person, tunnel tent. With a weight of 2.65 kg it is light enough for backpacking, yet strong enough to withstand the weather conditions of 4 season camping. The Jack Wolfskin Real Tunnel design provides stability and more usable space than other tunnel tents. It also [...]

  • Expedition1000 – Dave Cornthwaite Interview

    Daniel
    5 Apr 2013 | 7:27 am
    Embarking upon any expedition takes commitment, planning & perseverance. When Dave Cornthwaite packed in his day job to become an adventurer, the goal of achieving a single expedition was not enough to give him the motivation he needed to pursue his new career. After all, why stop at one expedition when you can do twenty [...]
 
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    trailsnet.com

  • Save California Recreational Trails Program

    trailsnet
    10 May 2013 | 7:55 am
    Urge California Governor Brown NOT to Opt Out of the Recreational Trails Program   (If you reside outside of California, please notify family and  friends in California.)   California Governor Jerry Brown may be ready to recommend opting out of the Recreational Trails Program (RTP). This would be a huge setback to recreational trails in California & eventually throughout the … Continue reading » The post Save California Recreational Trails Program appeared first on trailsnet.com.

  • England’s Best Hiking Trails

    trailsnet
    30 Apr 2013 | 1:37 pm
    4 Of the Most Breath Taking Hikes in the UK Even though there are many different things which help to make the United Kingdom such an exciting place to live or visit, the quality of walks or hikes is a huge part in what makes Britain great. Whether you prefer to take a walk up … Continue reading » The post England’s Best Hiking Trails appeared first on trailsnet.com.

  • Best Hiking Trails In Zakynthos, Greece

    trailsnet
    27 Apr 2013 | 2:56 am
    Hiking trails in Zakynthos One of the best ways to enjoy a beautiful landscape is by hiking or walking. This allows you to travel at your own pace and take in each and every detail you come across along your way. Not only does it make sight-seeing very easy, it is also a great way … Continue reading » The post Best Hiking Trails In Zakynthos, Greece appeared first on trailsnet.com.

  • 5 Tips for an Exciting and Safe Trails Running Experience

    trailsnet
    12 Apr 2013 | 5:05 am
    Running on the trails can be a thrilling outdoor activity, and an effective fitness exercise at the same time. It offers lots of challenging tasks, and helps bring out determination in participants. Trail running may be a pleasant activity, but might turn into a dreadful adventure if carried out without proper planning. The following are … Continue reading » The post 5 Tips for an Exciting and Safe Trails Running Experience appeared first on trailsnet.com.

  • Ditch The Car – Discover The UK On Foot

    trailsnet
    9 Apr 2013 | 4:30 am
    Walking nourishes body and mind. Whether alone or in a group, setting a steady pace gets the blood pumping and the thoughts flowing. It’s rare to find a hobby that can be simultaneously sociable or solitary, and is just as enjoyable either way. Best of all walking is free, accessible to every budget and an … Continue reading » The post Ditch The Car – Discover The UK On Foot appeared first on trailsnet.com.
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    Focusing On Wildlife

  • Tangará común (Purple-throated Euphonia)

    Marcelo
    19 May 2013 | 7:00 am
    Hacía un buen tiempo que no fotografiaba a este pajarito, afortunadamente se lo puede escuchar todos los días en muchos lugares del centro de Posadas, verlos ya es otra historia porque su tamaño es muy pequeño y localizar sus 9 centímetros en un árbol de mediano porte requiere algo de práctica y tiempo libre. Este [...]

  • Which Way Will This Bird Flu Fly?

    Supertrooper
    19 May 2013 | 4:00 am
    Are you neurotic about all things zoonotic? Perhaps you should be. A new strain of bird flu, H7N9, has recently emerged and has killed more than 30 people in China to date. There are concerns that this flu may mutate into a form that can be transmitted through human-to-human contact, risking its transformation into a [...]

  • 17 poachers allegedly enter elephant stronghold in Congo, conservationists fear massacre

    Supertrooper
    18 May 2013 | 10:00 pm
    Local researchers and wildlife guards say 17 armed elephant poachers have gained access to Dzanga Bai, a famous large clearing and waterfole where up to 200 forest elephants visit daily in the Central African Republic (CAR)’s Dzanga-Ndoki National Park. WWF, which works in the region but has recently evacuated due to rising violence, is calling [...]

  • Red kite showing off

    Noushka
    18 May 2013 | 7:16 am
    Milvus milvus Accipitriformes – Acciptidae As I was taking ordinary pictures of this magnificent bird, he turned swiftly around and flapped his wings to impress another individual intended on perching on the same branch. Beginning of April 2013

  • Long-billed Curlew

    Scott
    18 May 2013 | 7:00 am
    Long-billed Curlews have to be one of the most fascinating birds around.  I mean, just look at these guys–the large size (for a shorebird), the enormously long bill, and the curve of it.  It’s shaped just right to get down  into sand and mud to grab burrowing shrimp and crabs. Watching them hunt for food [...]
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    Man Makes Fire

  • Weekends Are Not for Errands

    Chris Maxcer
    12 May 2013 | 6:00 am
    If you get the lawn done on Thursday, your weekend options open up. I was out running errands last Saturday, just happy to get out of the house after being cooped up inside with nasty weather all week, and on the drive I called my brother — hands-free headset, of course. He asked what I was up to. “Running errands,” I said. “Whoah, man,” he said, the tone of his voice indicating there was some serious problem. “Weekends are not for errands.” Of course, I was immediately defensive. Where did this sanctimonious tone come from? “Hey, come on, I’m just happy to get out of…

  • Mayweather vs Guerrero: Thoughts on the Fight and Future of Boxing

    Erik Miller
    5 May 2013 | 9:55 am
    Yahoo! Sports has a highlights reel of the Mayweather vs Guerrero fight. Boxing is a storied and notoriously tough sport. I wonder though, if it weren’t for Showtime and Pay Per View, would the sport continue to survive or die off? Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) fights are often more exciting and fast paced. Boxers no longer have the bare knuckle battles of old and the last heavyweight with a true household name was Mike Tyson. However, if boxing can produce fighters that go 44-0 and have payouts of $43 million then maybe there is hope. As for the Mayweather vs Guerrero fight itself,…

  • Topo Maps for iPhone and iPad Review: The App You Need When You’re Lost

    Chris Maxcer
    7 Jan 2013 | 9:25 pm
    Topo Maps, an iOS app by Phil Endecott, uses USGS topographical maps with your iPhone’s built-in GPS to find your way off the beaten path. My go-to topographical map on my iPhone and iPad is Phil Endecott’s Topo Maps. I don’t know who Phil is, but he’s the man. I like him because of what he’s produced, which is an easy-to-use topo map app that blends the built-in GPS power of the iPhone with USGS topographical maps. And then he wraps it all up with core features with a focus on usability. There’s not a lot of extraneous crud you won’t use, and I…

  • See the Rain: NOAA Hi-Def Radar App Review

    Chris Maxcer
    27 Dec 2012 | 5:33 pm
    NOAA Hi-Def Radar iOS app for iPhone and iPad provides a more detailed view of current and recent weather based on radar images of rain, snow, and hail. It’s a must-have app for every iPhone owner. The problem with most weather apps — particularly the default ones that ship with your smartphone — is that they tend to to provide static forecasts, highs and lows, a chance of rain here, mountain thunderstorm warnings there. When I’m about to embark on a trip where weather is important, particularly out into the mountains, I turn to NOAA Hi-Def Radar on my iPhone or iPad.

  • Jack Reacher Fighting Rules

    Erik Miller
    21 Dec 2012 | 10:14 pm
    When Jack Reacher fights, he’s got basic rules. And as far as we can tell, he never wears gloves. Not good for the bad guys. What’s running through Jack Reacher’s mind just before and during a fight? His rules of combat, of course — unless they are so ingrained that they are truly second nature. For most of us, the thoughts go something like this: Oh shit, this really going down. I’ve been in a few fights in my time, former Marine and all. In my limited experience, fights last 30-to-60 seconds and are damn dangerous. Before I run through Jack Reacher’s…
 
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    Marking My Territory

  • Memorial Day Camp Recipe Menu & Shopping List

    amylaree
    15 May 2013 | 12:58 pm
    Marking My Territory - trail reviews for dogs & their humansGet the summer camping season started off right! Get the summer camping season started off right (and to knock your campers’ socks off) with our favorite breakfast & dinner camp recipes and shopping list. Looking for more ideas? Check out our camp recipes page for more meals, sides & desserts. We recommend assembling the foil packets at home before you leave. Put them on ice in a cooler and keep them good and cool until you’re ready to throw them on the coals! Memorial Day Camp Menu & Shopping List…

  • Camp Recipe: Black Bean & Corn Salad Stuffed Sweet Potato

    amylaree
    14 May 2013 | 6:07 am
    Marking My Territory - trail reviews for dogs & their humansVegetarian Camp Recipe: Black Bean & Corn Salad Stuffed Sweet Potato A while back we noticed our camp recipes list was woefully short on vegetarian camp recipe options – which isn’t good because we like vegetarians and vegetarians like to eat when they camp, right? So, we’re working to remedy that with our first of many more vegetarian-friendly camp recipe ideas. This is based off of a recipe I saw somewhere on the Internet (I tried to find it again to give credit, but it’s lost in the…

  • MetroCenter Levee Trail on the Cumberland River Greenway

    amylaree
    8 May 2013 | 9:14 am
    Marking My Territory - trail reviews for dogs & their humansMetroCenter Levee Trailhead Nashville has made great strides in the last several years to strengthen the greenway system throughout the city. We’ve already reviewed several of the greenways (Shelby Bottoms, Stones River, Mill Creek, Bells Bend) so last fall (I know, I know this post is LONG overdue) we headed out to check out the MetroCenter Levee trail on the Cumberland River Greenway. Scenery:  2.0 Difficulty:  0 Length:  3.0 miles Dog Friendly Factor: 4.5 Convenience:  5 Bonus Funtimes: 0 Scenery (2.0 out of 5.0):…

  • Camp Recipe: Cheesy Southwestern Corn on the Cob Foil Packet

    amylaree
    7 May 2013 | 7:30 am
    Marking My Territory - trail reviews for dogs & their humansCheesy Southwestern Corn on the Cob Camp Recipe Summertime = Corn on the Cob time… add in some Mexi flavoring and you’ve got the perfect side dish for your next camping meal. A campfire, a few seasonings and as many ears of corn as you can handle are all that you need for this easy and delicious Southwestern Corn on the Cob foil packet recipe. Camp Recipe: Cheesy Southwestern Corn on the Cob Ingredients Corn on the Cob, husks and silk strands removed Butter Salt Chili Powder Smoked Paprika Red Pepper Flakes (optional)…

  • Camp Recipe: Smoked Sausage, Potatoes & Green Beans

    amylaree
    30 Apr 2013 | 11:05 am
    Marking My Territory - trail reviews for dogs & their humansCamping Recipe Classic: Smoked Sausage Foil Packet There’s just something about smoked sausage and camping that goes together like peas and carrots. This is a basic foil packet camp recipe that encourages you to play around with your favorite combinations of veggies and seasonings. Use our camp recipe below as a guideline, but don’t be afraid to make adjustments to please your taste buds (or picky campers). Camp Recipe: Smoked Sausage, Potatoes & Green Bean Foil Packets Ingredients 1/2 pound New Potatoes,…
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    Outdoor Minded Mag

  • Sometimes, I Just Want to Light All Of My Shit On Fire and Travel the World

    Sidni Giordano
    6 May 2013 | 6:25 pm
    Editor’s Introduction: Mark my words, the author of this piece, Sidni Giordano, will be making waves in the travel writing and outdoor industry world. I’m lucky enough to know this inspiring girl, for her zest for life, and ability to be open to utterly screwing up and taking leaps of faith, sets her apart from most people roaming this earth. The first of many articles by Sidni here on OMM, I couldn’t think of a better one to introduce this wandering woman to you guys. For those of you with wanderlust that feels like a simultaneous blessing and curse, I think you’ll…

  • Photography Sets: Max Seigal and the Magic of the Natural World

    Max Seigal
    30 Apr 2013 | 10:00 pm
    I live for those precious moments when hours of patience and determination result in breathtaking photographs.  Immature Bald Eagle, Alaska Patagonia My name is Max Seigal and I’m a biologist/photographer/outdoorsman extraordinaire based out of Boulder, Colorado. I’ve spent the last several years exploring every nook and cranny this world has to offer. After graduating from university in the flatlands of Ohio (which, by the way, was a rather dreadful experience for a Boulder native like myself) I was determined to escape from the ordinary and make the most of my degrees in…

  • Daily Inspiration: Kayaking Norway

    Mitch Lex
    29 Apr 2013 | 10:00 pm
    Exploring the beautiful creeks and rivers of Norway. -Mitch

  • Daily Inspiration: Hitch Hiking Through Canada

    Mitch Lex
    28 Apr 2013 | 10:00 pm
    Join these two hitch hikers on an incredible journey from Vancouver to the Yukon Territory in Northern Canada. 7,000 kilometers, countless memories, and incredible scenery all make this one unforgettable experience. -Mitch

  • The Hour I Biked Through The Storm, SPAIN

    Lydia Tanner
    25 Apr 2013 | 10:00 pm
    Two years ago I vowed I would never again pack a bike box. I’d been a racer for six years and at the ripe age of 21 was (rather melodramatically) retiring. There were lots of reasons why; the commitment, the expenses, the lack of opportunities for women- I could go on but the bottom line was that I was done making bikes my life. It’s also why I had to laugh a little at myself as I packed that bike box again last week. The destination: Spain. A freak opportunity had landed me in a climbing hostel for two weeks, and word on the street was the biking could be pretty good too. This brings us…
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    Appalachian Trials Blog

  • Get Lost in Harper’s Ferry

    Loon
    14 May 2013 | 5:15 am
    It was a perfect spring day.  Temperatures were in the low 70s with sunny skies sparkling off the azure blue water of the Potomac River.  Harper’s Ferry was bustling with weekend tourists and adventure seekers bicycling, rock climbing, kayaking, fishing and hiking along, on and above this life giving water.  Birds sang joyfully in the trees overhead; especially abundant were the bright orange and black Baltimore orioles.  Butterflies fluttered and danced from flower to flower, while Canada geese tended to their young and floated on the currents.  All of God’s creatures seemed…

  • Virginia!

    Walker
    6 May 2013 | 3:35 am
    I have made it home to my adopted state of Virginia. There will be no ‘Virginia Blues’ for me! The hike has gone very well so far. I have been so lucky with the weather, with my health, and with the support of so many great people along the way…I am very thankful. I did have a close call with a minor accident this past Saturday afternoon, though, but in the end all I have is a scraped up forearm and a slightly sore neck. Here’s what happened, I left Pearisburg, VA Saturday morning and met some nice young guys during the day who said that they were going to stay at The…

  • Sleep is Overrated

    Ladybug
    22 Apr 2013 | 6:07 am
    This is my second morning in a row of waking up at 4 a.m.  I lie there in the dark for a while, trying to shut off my mind so I can get back to sleep, but after about 1/2 an hour of this, I give up and get out of bed. Oh…well hello there anxiety! I have spent the last year physically preparing for a long-distance hike – I’ve bought guidebooks and studied them obsessively, planned out my resupplies, purchased enough new gear to rival REI, dehydrated hundreds of dollars of food (50 bags of groceries = about one bag after dehydration…), studied other people’s…

  • Springer Mountain to Erwin, TN

    Walker
    15 Apr 2013 | 10:12 am
    I have been in the trail for almost three weeks now and it has been a blast! I have been walking long days for the most part, seeing a lot if beautiful sights and meeting some great people. Highlights include hiking through my home state of Georgia and spending Easter Sunday with my father who lives near Hiawasee, staying at the Aquone Hostel near Tellico Gap, NC, a chile cheeseburger at the Nantahala Outdoor Center, the Smokies (of course), Hot Springs, NC, Big Bald in NC, and now Irwin, TN where I’m staying at Uncle Johnny’s Nolichucky Hostel. My favorite spot along the trail so…

  • Mr. Burns’ Mouse

    Loon
    12 Apr 2013 | 2:24 pm
    “The best laid schemes o’ mice an’ men Gang aft agley, [often go awry] An’ lea’e us nought but grief an’ pain, For promised joy.”       – Robert Burns’ poem To a Mouse, 1786.   How depressing!! How often have people quoted from this poem?  How many have ever actually read the poem though or understood it?  Aside from the old English and therefore unfamiliar phases used (i.e. Gang aft agley….say what?), if it wasn’t for the truth that lies in Mr. Burns’ poem and John Steinbeck’s book, Of Mice and Men I don’t know that the quote above would be…
 
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