One of my favorite snacks while backpacking is paleo beef jerky. It stays fresh for days without refrigeration, tastes great, and provides the protein you need to keep moving. Unfortunately, most store-bought jerky is loaded with corn, wheat, soy, sugar, and artificial preservatives. Follow this easy recipe for making your own delicious, healthy snack! Continue reading Paleo Beef Jerky Recipe
Following my recent post on 10 Ways to Keep Warm While Camping, a friend asked me about the best clothing to wear when it’s cold. The answer to that question is technical, and you should see my article on Layering for more detailed information. We ended up talking about down jackets. I told her that the best down jackets are thick, have a hood, fall low on the hips, and have a high fill power. But what is fill power?
After making the change to a lightweight style of backpacking, I started using my Gossamer Gear Gorilla all the time, even for day hikes. I liked it better than my old CamelBak hydration pack. Unfortunately, all of these day hikes started taking their toll. I needed less-expensive, lightweight daypack that could handle everyday use. Enter the Gossamer Gear QuikSak. Continue reading Gossamer Gear QuikSak: Long Term Review
I woke up this morning to the sound of doves cooing outside of my window. That is usually a sure sign that Spring is on the way. While there is probably still more than a month of winter weather ahead of us, I can’t stop thinking about getting out for some nice day hikes. A lot of my friends won’t hike when it is super cold out, so I’m really looking forward to this! Now, what will I be carrying with me this Spring? Continue reading Day Hiking Gear List: Spring & Fall
Last week I shared a list of simple tips for keeping warm while camping. A friend of mine had a bunch of questions, which led to a conversation about how outdoor gear keeps you warm. In order to understand how to pick the best gear for staying warm, we have to answer a question: how do we get cold? This post discusses just that: The Science of Cold. Continue reading The Science of Cold
My friends know that I’m not a fan of numbered lists. I don’t think simple lists of tricks are conducive to real learning. If you want to be comfortable and safe in the wilderness, you need to do two thing: READ and PRACTICE. Practicing is fun, but reading is a lost art. Most people these days don’t have the patience to read more than a simple bulleted list. Real knowledge comes from reading volumes of information and then applying that information to life. Alas, it’s Friday. Enjoy this list!
Several years ago, I went on a guided backpacking trip in Great Smoky Mountains National Park with A Walk in the Woods. I had a great time and learned a lot. One of the most important lessons I took away from that trip was “The Rule of Threes.” This simple rule has become the cornerstone of my philosophy for lightweight backpacking and enjoying the outdoors safely. Continue reading The Rule of Threes
When I started hiking, I was bad at it. I was horribly overweight and my muscles were terribly conditioned. My feet always hurt and I was always huffing and puffing. I didn’t hike often enough to get in shape, so I tried going to a gym. It didn’t help: I didn’t know what I was doing.
Almost two years ago (5 now), a friend at work found a Groupon for Crossfit Ignite, a new gym just across the street from my home. I hadn’t heard much about Crossfit, but I new it was pretty intense. On a whim, I decided to sign up and give it a try. My life will never be the same. Continue reading Crossfit is for Hikers
I first became interested in backpacking in the early summer of 2012. Not really knowing where to begin, I subscribed to Backpacker Magazine on my iPad. I started reading through as many back issues as I could. I came across an article titled “America’s Best Campsites.” Each site came with a stunning photo and a glowing review. Most seemed pretty hard to get to, requiring a long or difficult hike. One in particular stuck out: Great Sand Dunes National Park. Continue reading Great Sand Dunes National Park
Last week I wrote a quick introduction to the MSR Lightning Explore Snow Shoes. I liked most aspects of the snow shoes, but I had problems bindings. The single strap over my toes was extremely tight and created a pinch point. By the end of a 3 mile hike, two of my toes were actually bleeding. Continue reading MSR Customer Service