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Montbell Thermawrap Jacket

The Montbell Ultralight Thermawrap Jacket is a lightweight insulation layer (a size XL is 9.1 oz.) that is exceptionally warm.  I wear it directly over a base layer, replacing bulkier garments like a fleece pullover. It’s also windproof, which means I can shed an outer shell layer …

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Using Lithium Batteries in Backcountry Gadgets

Lithium Batteries

I keep lithium batteries in my backpacking gear repair kit.  I do this to reduce my ultralight pack weight since lithium batteries are 1/2 to 1/3 as light as alkaline batteries. However, lithium batteries also provide many more benefits besides lighter weight …

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Grabber Hand Warmers

Last winter, my wife bought me some Grabber Hand Warmers to heat up my sleeping bag in cold weather. I didn’t pay much attention to them for almost a year until I tried one last weekend and I was blown away. These are …

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The Great Eastern Trail

Great Eastern Trail

I love the Appalachian Trail, but on weekends and in the summer time, it can feel really crowded. In fact, the ATC estimates that 4 million people hike on the AT each year, and a lot of their trail maintenance and stewardship …

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