In my last post, I wrote that you need a New York Gazetteer in order to find the trail heads in the Catskills. It dawned on me today that many people don’t have a clue what a Gazetteer is anymore. So let me explain.

A Gazetteer is a set of very detailed topographic maps used for […]

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I’ve been hiking in the Catskills Region of New York for the past 5 years and it is by far my favorite backpacking destination. The entire area is very rural with scattered village hamlets and winding mountain roads that are get closed in winter due to heavy snow. The terrain is mountainous but most of […]

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Backpacking food can be really expensive if you buy commercially packaged meals and snacks. Most freeze-dried meals cost $5-8 dollars and powerbars can cost as much as $3.50 each. Your best alternative is to prepare your own meals and snacks or to find prepackaged foods that are easy to cook, lightweight and nutritious.
For example, I […]

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Zinc Oxide ointment is a must have item that every hiker needs in their first aid kit. This simple white ointment provides fast relief for chafed skin and diaper rash, also known as monkey butt amongst backpackers. It can be applied as sunblock and helps dry out the oozing and weaping of poison ivy, poison […]

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Gaiters are an essential element of your gear for winter and spring backpacking. Many backpackers and hikers also use them year round.
In the winter and spring, gaiters provide extra insulation for your lower legs, particularly if you are snowshoeing. During mud season, they are also essential for keeping your socks dry. If you do a […]

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