Trip Planning This is the first of a 3-part trip report describing the two week, Appalachian Trail section hike I took in April 2011, beginning in southern New Jersey and ending in southern Connecticut. Covering 173 miles and spanning 14 days, I’ve …
Read More »Latest Posts
Lightweight Backpacking Gear List
On April 2nd, I gave a demonstration about lightweight backpacking to a dozen hikers from the NY-NJ Chapter of the Appalachian Mountain Club in Harriman State Park, just outside of New York City. Lessons Learned For this demonstration, I brought along a …
Read More »Walking Forwards, Looking Back
When you hike the Appalachian Trail, you get in the habit of looking behind yourself periodically to make sure you are still on the trail. If you get into “the zone,” it’s all too easy to miss a turn in the trail …
Read More »Rothiemurchus by Helen Fisher
The clearest way into the Universe is through a Forest Wilderness. — John Muir A great highlight for me during the time I spent in Scotland at the end of February with Kim, was spending some time in Rothiemurchus. We’d arrived there after …
Read More »10 Best Winter Hiking Traction Devices and Crampons (2024)
10 Best Hard Shell Jackets for Winter Hiking (2024)
10 Best Mountaineering and Winter Backpacks of 2024
10 Best Winter Hiking Boots of 2024
10 Best Winter Hiking and Snowshoeing Pants of 2024
10 Best Ultralight Backpacks of 2024 (with Frames)
10 Best Down Sleeping Bags for Backpacking in 2024
10 Best Trail Runners and Hiking Shoes of 2024
10 Best Synthetic Insulated Hiking Jackets of 2024
10 Best Windbreakers and Wind Shirts of 2024
10 Best Backpacking Quilts of 2024
10 Best Backpacking Rain Jackets of 2024
10 Best Ultralight Sleeping Bags of 2024
10 Best Men’s Hiking Pants of 2024
10 Best Backpacking Sleeping Pads of 2024
10 Best Freestanding Backpacking Tents of 2024
REI Stormhenge 850 Down Hybrid Jacket Review
Patagonia Nano-Air Light Hybrid Hoody Review
Outdoor Research Revolution Gore-Tex Mitts Review
Patagonia R1 Fleece Pullover Hoody Review
Hoka Speedgoat 6 Trail Runner Review
Katabatic Gear Tin Cup Down Jacket Review
MSR Evo Ascent Snowshoe Review
Senchi Designs Alpha 90 Hoodie Review
Zpacks Super Nero 50 Backpack Review
Mammut Rime Light IN Flex Hooded Jacket Review
Wiggy’s Waders Review
Zpacks Free Zip 2P Tent Review
How Many Liters Do You Need for a Day Pack?
Choosing the Perfect Hiking Puffer Jacket
How to Filter or Purify Water in Freezing Temperatures
Jackets with Pit Zips: When Are They Effective?
Compass Use Simplified: Orienting a Map
Hiking Navigation: GPS Handhelds vs Smartphone Apps
How to Backpack in the Rain
Flat Tarps vs Catenary Cut Tarps