Cooking while on a backpacking trip can be pretty intimidating – only the truly dedicated are able to cook full-on pancake breakfasts deep in the wilderness, and I think those people are wasting weight and energy. What I like better… Read More »Jetboil Flash Review: The Best Backpacking Stove for Most People
Cincinnati Union Station was a wonderful place to start our trip to the North Cascades on Amtrak. It was so shockingly cool, a true memorial to the Art Deco movement, that I decided to dedicated a full post to it! Welcome… Read More »All About Cincinnati Union Terminal: History, Photos, and More
“I could have sworn I had nicer clothes than this… this is 80% old gym stuff!” Packing for a 3-week trip that evenly splits city adventures and backpacking is no easy feat. I learned that first-hand when trying to pack… Read More »Trip Diary: 3 Weeks in Washington (Day 1)
If you’re taking a trip out into the cold, cold wilderness this winter, ice and snow are going to take a toll on you. They slow you down, make your legs sore, and can be absolutely miserable to deal with.… Read More »What are Microspikes?
As someone with both large and wide feet, I know the struggle of researching a great pair of trail running shoes or hiking boots without ever knowing if they’ll actually fit. Columbia is one of the most popular brands of… Read More »Do Columbia Shoes Run Big or Small?
Leave No Trace is a set of outdoor ethics promoting conservation in the outdoors. Following them preserves our parks and wild lands, protects animals, and makes backpacking better for everyone. There are seven principles that guide the Leave No Trace… Read More »Backpacking Basics: How to Leave No Trace
Hiking in the snow can be a ton of fun, but only if you’ve got the right equipment. When you read about hiking, you hear people mention different traction devices: snowshoes, crampons, microspikes, flip-flops, you name it. In many situations,… Read More »How Do You Know When to Use Microspikes?
Anytime you read through a backpacking guide or gear checklist, you’ll run across that term- the “ten essentials”. But, what are they, exactly, and why do they matter? The Ten Essentials, developed by Mountaineers Books, describes the ten things needed… Read More »Backpacking: What are The “Ten Essentials”?
In most parts of the country, the month of May is when life springs into action. Heavy winters and rainy Aprils give way to sunshine, warm temperatures, and endless outdoor fun. But, is that true in the Rockies? Mountain areas… Read More »Visiting Rocky Mountain National Park in May: Good Idea?
If you’re like me and grew up in an area without bears, the prospect of meeting one on the trail is just as terrifying as it is exciting. There is nothing that can take a camping or backpacking trip from… Read More »Does Cayenne Pepper Keep Bears Away?