No matter how many trips I guide in Yosemite National Park, I’m always on a mission to pack the best possible gear for the job. In my three seasons of guiding backpacking trips in Yosemite, narrowing down my personal essentials for the trail has been a process of trial and error. Here, I simplify the … Read more
The Owyhee Backpacking Tarp is as Cozy as a Tent and as Lightweight as a Tarp Nestled beneath my Six Moon Designs Owyhee backpacking tarp, thunder and lightning unleash in the high Sierra. Rain and hail batter my shelter in the limestone cirque below Red and White mountain, deep in the range. Inside, dry and … Read more
Often times while hiking, our boots and hiking pants are just not enough to protect us from the elements. Snow, mud, branches, and rocks can be a nuisance while hiking. This debris can get into our boots or shoes, making the hiking experience uncomfortable. Hiking for hours with cold, wet, and muddy legs is just … Read more
Hiking in snow and ice can be slow, frustrating, and dangerous without proper winter traction devices. This is why microspikes, ice cleats, and crampons exist. The grip of these traction devices on rock-hard ice and in deep snow is phenomenal. They make hiking in Winter super fun. For most hikers, microspikes and ice cleats are … Read more
I finished the Colorado Trail about a month ago, in the summer of 2022. The trail is majestic with vibrant wildflowers, epic ridge walks, incredible vistas, and unbeatable wildlife. If you are searching for an adventure to reinvigorate your love for life, rebuild your trust in humanity, and want to cry over the magic of … Read more
The Rumpl Original Puffy Blanket is the ultimate car camping quilt. Snuggled in the back of my Jeep Wrangler at the Grays and Torreys Peak trailhead in Colorado this September, I feel warm and cozy, nestled in my Rumpl quilt. Parked at 11,000 feet, the mountain air is chilly against my skin, but burrowed in … Read more
If you’ve seen an episode of Survivor in the last 41 seasons, you’ve seen a hiking buff. It is a long tube of thin, stretchy fabric that can be worn and used in over a dozen different ways. Like Kleenex, buff is both a brand name as well as a product description. They can also … Read more
My child would say that the most important kids hiking gear is candy, and it might be true but that’s not all. Beyond the bribes, here’s what you need to keep kids comfortable and protected on hikes. In addition to smaller versions of the hiking clothes, footwear, and gear that adults use, there are additional … Read more
This year I have had the pleasant experience of testing out some new Maui Jim prescription sunglasses courtesy of SportRX for my hiking and backpacking adventures. Are Maui Jim prescription sunglasses worth the money? Yes, they are. These sunglasses are a dream come true! Crystal clear vision. The value that these sunglasses deliver is unbeatable. … Read more