The weight of stuff sacks can really add up if you go overboard with them. I’ve eliminated most of them from my packing system, but I still use two 8L Sea-to-Summit Ultra-Sil Waterproof Stuff Sacks to protect my down sleeping bag and …
Read More »Philip Werner
Hiking with Plush Animals
I often bring along a plush (we used to call them stuffed) animal when I go hiking. A surprising number of other hikers and backpackers do this as well. Why? Well it started as a prank that my wife would play on …
Read More »Why Bushwhack?
Most people don’t realize that hiking trail design is a spin-off from landscape architecture where trail designers deliberately plan vistas and trail features to heighten our experience of natural beauty. Given that background, some element of the pleasure we experience hiking and …
Read More »Mountain Laurel Designs Doumid Review
Here is my Mountain Laurel Designs Duomid Review based largely on my experiences using this shelter during the 13 day TGO Challenge, this year in Scotland. Andy Howell has also published a review of the cuben fiber version, which I also suggest …
Read More »Middle Tripyramid and the Sleepers
I got back up to the White Mountains on Saturday and climbed Middle Tripyramid (4,140 ft) on the White Mountain 4,000 footer list. I’m getting near the end of that list and hope to finish it off by early autumn. Saturday’s hike …
Read More »TGO Challenge Gear System Review
Major Gear System Changes I made some pretty big changes to my gear list for The Challenge this year, replacing leather boots with trail runners, swapping in an ultralight cuben fiber backpack, using chlorine dioxide tablets for water purification instead of a …
Read More »The PVC Method of Hanging a Bear Bag
If you backpack in bear country, you need to learn how to hang a bear bag (unless a bear canister is required by the local authorities.) No one ever formally taught me how to do it so I developed my own techniques, …
Read More »Reader Poll: Compass Use
Reader Poll I’m conducting an informal reader poll here (leave a comment). When was the last time you used a compass in the backcountry? Do you carry one with you whenever you go hiking or backpacking? Have you ever had to rely …
Read More »Hiking The Bonds
Bondcliff (4,265 feet), taken from West Bond, Day 1 Hiking the Bonds It was time to get back to hiking in my own back yard, so I took last Friday off and had myself a quick two day hike in the White …
Read More »TGO Challenge Trip Report – Part 3
From the Hills to the Sea After wild camping at Shielin of Mark, I started the last phase of my journey across Scotland, leaving the hills and mountains behind and walking through glen and farmland to the sea. I was sad to …
Read More »Comfortable Backpacking
I like my creature comforts when I’m out backpacking. I like to bring a comfortable air mattress, some extra camera gear, a good paperback, a plush animal friend and good food to eat. I can get away with bringing these little extras, …
Read More »TGO Challenge Trip Report – Part 2
The Magnificent Trees of Glen Feshie, Day 8 The Cairngorms to Shielin of Mark Looking back on my Challenge crossing this year, the most exciting days for me were the 3 days following my zero day in Kinguissie where I walked down …
Read More »TGO Challenge Trip Report – Zero Day
Planters at the Columba House Hotel in Kinguissie, Scotland (Meindl Boots) Taking a Zero When I was planning my original Challenge route, I built in an rest day into my schedule, called a zero day here in the states. My plan was …
Read More »TGO Challenge Trip Report – Part 1
The TGO Challenge: More than a Hike Hiking across Scotland in the 2010 TGO Challenge this year was a great adventure and one of those life-list hikes that I’ve always dreamed of taking. But while the scenery is breathtaking, there is a …
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