In January, I published a post titled Backpacking Gear from 1975: A Time Capsule. Here’s a collection of more wonderful gear and advertisements from that golden era of backpacking gear. I get a hoot from looking at these old-time advertisements. Funny how …
Read More »Philip Werner
Climbing Mt. Whitney by Chris Marks
Make no mistake about it, while the 22 mile trail to the top of Mt. Whitney is no Everest, it does take preparation and planning to summit the tallest mountain in the continental United States. One part physical training, two parts logistical …
Read More »How to Blog on the Appalachian Trail: Apps, Devices, Battery Charger, and Internet Connectivity
I’ve always had mixed feeling about carrying communication technology when I’m hiking because the a big part of day hiking and backpacking for me has always been to take a break from my day-to-day life. While I’ve always taken a lot of photos and notes …
Read More »PocketMonkey: A Light and Skinny Multitool
PocketMonkey is a surprisingly useful multitool for its minimal size and weight. It weighs 18 grams, is slightly smaller and thicker than a credit card, and is designed to fit into a card slot in your wallet. The PocketMonkey is USA made, …
Read More »Book Review: Ray Mears Essential Bushcraft
You’ll probably never use most of the stuff in Ray Mears Essential Bushcraft: A Handbook of Survival Skills from Around the World, but it is fascinating to see the ingenuity of people from around the world and they utilize nature to increase …
Read More »Lightweight Backpacking for Boy Scouts – Free Video Series
In 2012, I participated in lightweight backpacking seminar for boy scouts that was hosted by the Capitol Area Council in Austin, Texas. The event was organized by my dear friend, scout and lightweight backpacker Alan Graham, and featured a number of scout masters, …
Read More »Trail Blazing Conventions and Guidelines
The first question that most volunteer trail adopters ask is “When do I get to paint a blaze?” I know, because it was one of the first questions I asked when I volunteered to adopt a trail on Mt Washington. But there’s …
Read More »GSI Outdoors Halulite Minimalist Cookset Review
GSI Outdoor’s Halulite Minimalist Cookset integrates everything you need for rehydrating cook-in-the-pouch, freezer-bag meals. or making hot drinks in an impressively small footprint. Consisting of a 0.6 liter anodized aluminum pot, sip lid, insulation sleeve, pot grippers, and telescoping “foon,” the Minimalist weighs …
Read More »10 Best Books to Take Backpacking
I like to bring paperbacks with me when I go on long backpacking trips. I don’t necessarily read a lot before my head hits the stuff sack, but it is nice to have a little entertainment when you’re the only person in …
Read More »Appalachian Trail Conservancy and Google Express Launch Air-Drop Airborne Drone Resupply Service on Appalachian Trail
Forget mail drops. In an effort to relieve trail town and post office congestion, the Appalachian Trail Conservancy and Google Express have launched a new resupply initiative using cargo drones called Air-Drops, so that thru-hikers can resupply on the Appalachian Trail without …
Read More »The Hike Starts Well Before the Hike and Never Ends…
My hiking and backpacking trips start well before I ever step foot on the trail. I like to plan out my route by reading maps and trail guides, figure out what gear I need to bring depending on the terrain or expected weather conditions, …
Read More »Bay Circuit Trail Section 1: Plum Island to Rowley
Plum Island Date: 1-21-15 Starting Location: Joppa Flats Wildlife Refuge Destination: Newbury Lower Green BCT Map: Section 1, A to D Distance: 6.6 miles; 14.2 miles RT back to car When I got to the beach and stood on the sand, I was filled with a …
Read More »Packing the Unpackable: Backpack Loading Tips
One of my readers, a guy named Tim, is having problems getting all of his backpacking gear into his backpack. This is something I’ve wrestled with too. I had a few breakthroughs this year though, based on some advice from a more …
Read More »Book Review: The Backpacker’s Field Manual
The Backpacker’s Field Manual, A Comprehensive Guide to Mastering Backcountry Skills is still the most complete and readable handbook of backpacking instruction available today. Written by Rick Curtis, Director of Princeton University’s Famous Outdoor Recreation Program, it provides a gear-agnostic approach to the skills …
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