MLD LightSnow Gaiters with Inov-8 Terrocs While gaiters keep my socks dry from external moisture, I’ve never found ones that keep my socks dry when my calf muscles sweat. This is a problem in winter because my socks become moist during the …
Read More »Search Results for: Scotland
Lowepro Dashpoint 20 Backpack Camera Case Review
What’s the best way to carry a point-and-shoot camera when you’re backpacking so that your camera is easily accessible when you want it, it doesn’t get in the way of normal activity, it’s in a waterproof compartment to protect it from rain, …
Read More »Bio: How I Started Backpacking
Backpackers aren’t born that way and it’s not an easy hobby for most people to stick with over time. But if you’ve caught the ‘backpacking bug’, it’s a passion that provides many challenges and rewards for the mind and body. Here’s my …
Read More »Climbing Cademuir Hill in The Scottish Borders
I think I gave the night porter a fright this morning when I came bounding down the hotel stairs before dawn. It was raining and cold outside as I set out, determined to climb Cademuir Hill just outside of Peebles, Scotland. I …
Read More »Gear that Worked and Gear that Didn’t on the Cape Wrath Trail
I like to keep track of what gear worked and what didn’t on my backpacking trips for future reference. If you’d like to see the complete list of gear I brought for this, the southern half (140 miles) of the Cape Wrath …
Read More »Challenge Gear List – Spring, 2010
With just 4 weeks to go, I've been very busy this weekend pulling all of my gear and resupply packages together for a 2 week unsupported hike across Scotland in the 2010 TGO Challenge. That includes finalizing my gear list, which I've …
Read More »Bothies and Baked Beans
Mountain bothies are small buildings that can be used by hikers and backpackers as shelters or a place to get out of bad weather and warm up. Many are old buildings on hunting estates that the owners have set aside for use …
Read More »Scotland the Brave
Just a quick note to let you know that I successfully finished my 180+ mile TGO Challenge hike across Scotland this morning on the east coast in Montrose. This was a fantastic experience and I am eager to return and do it …
Read More »Rab Momentum Jacket in eVent
From Gore-Tex to eVent I’ve been wanting to upgrade my hiking shell and rain jacket from Gore-Tex Paclite to eVent fabric for some time, but I’ve had a difficult time finding a minimalist jacket from any of the US-based outdoor clothing manufacturers. …
Read More »Western Mountaineering Ultralite Sleeping Bag Review
The Western Mountaineering Ultralite is a 20 degree sleeping bag that weighs 29 ounces. It’s filled with 16 ounces of 850+ fill power goose down and loaded with features that make it comfortable to use, especially during early spring and late autumn …
Read More »Torridon Hills: Liathach and Mullach an Rathan
Liathach is probably the most famous of the Torridon Hills, a cluster of mountains located in a remote section of the Western Highlands on the Atlantic Coast side of Scotland. Meaning The Grey One in Scottish Gaelic, Liathach dwarfs the tiny hamlet of Torridon, …
Read More »Mount Washington and the Northern Presidential Loop
My friend Martin from England is a serious hiker and backpacker with many big UK walks under his belt. Having just finished hiking the 100 Mile Wilderness together (which as epic), I decided that I’d take him for a jaunt up Mt Washington …
Read More »Rocky Gore-tex Socks
I’m pretty close to nailing down my footware system for crossing Scotland next May during the TGO Challenge. Hiking conditions in Scotland are notorious for being wet and boggy and leather boots are not going to fly for a 14 day cross-country …
Read More »Backpacking Clothing System for 3 Season Hiking and Backpacking
I use 9 clothing items (not including hats, socks, or gloves) for three season hiking and backpacking. It’s amazing how many different scenarios they are sufficient for. Environmental Needs Most of the hiking and backpacking I do is in New Hampshire and …
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