Latest Posts

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 …

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TGO Challenge Gear System Review

Zpacks.com Blast 32 Backpack

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 …

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The PVC Method of Hanging a Bear Bag

Bear Bag System

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, …

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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 …

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