Losing gear in the backcountry is never a pleasant experience. Feelings of loss (“Where did it go?”), denial (“It has to be in my backpack somewhere!”), guilt (“I never should have put it in my pocket”) and even frugality (“Now I have to buy a new one”) engulf you, each chewing off another portion of
Birdathon 2014: The Case of the Missing Tent Stake at Sunshine Pond
Where to end my Birdathon bushwhack in the Pepperbox Wilderness always becomes a difficult decision. There is always the constant incentive to push on, hoping that the next destination will provide the big breakthrough of a plethora of bird species, producing the banner year I continue dreaming about during the weeks leading up to the
Black Friday/Cyber Monday Outdoor Gear Sales not to be missed
Black Friday and Cyber Monday are here again. It is hard to believe they have gotten here so soon, but another year has zipped by. One of the more positive aspects of this time of the year is the numerous discounts that come along with the high holidays of the shopping season. The outdoor retailers
Shopping Guide 2013: Great Black Friday/Cyber Monday Outdoor & Backpacking Gear Deals
The outdoor and backpacking shopping gear gift guide for 2013 includes many Black Friday and Cyber Sunday deals on all types of gear for the gift-giving season.
Isle Royale Aside: A Two-week Long Backcountry Menu
People often ask me, “What do you eat when you are out backpacking?” It is embarrassing to admit I never really know what to tell them; other than a vague recitation of staples, such as instant rice, couscous, pasta, etc. When I was hiking along the Minong Ridge Trail on Isle Royale it dawned on
Gear Review: Vasque Sundowner hiking boots
Note: The following is a retailer-sponsored review of the Vasque Sundowner GTX hiking boot. Although a small payment has been provided for writing the review, this is no way has influenced the opinions found in review; these are completely my own. When I started hiking almost a couple decades ago, finding a durable and comfortable
Aside: Packing Backpacking Gear for an Airplane Flight
Going to California to hike a portion of the John Muir Trail back in the summer 2009 (read about my trip out there here) required doing something I had absolutely no experience with: packing backpacking gear for an airline flight. In fact, I had not even flown on an airplane in almost a decade prior
Stillwater Reservoir to Cranberry Lake Trip: Reaching Dead Creek Flow
The following is an account of the final day of my epic hike from Wanakena, NY to Stillwater Reservoir and Cranberry Lake. The entire trip required backpacking via trail into the heart of the Five Ponds Wilderness, a lengthy bushwhack to the northern terminus of the Red Horse Trail, another trail hike, and a short
Stillwater Reservoir to Cranberry Lake Trip: Arriving at Gun Harbor
The following is an account of day four of my epic hike from Wanakena, NY to Stillwater Reservoir, Cranberry Lake and then back to Wanakena. The entire trip required backpacking via trail into the heart of the Five Ponds Wilderness, a lengthy bushwhack to the northern terminus of the Red Horse Trail and another trail
Aside: Who will stop the rain?
Does the anticipation of rain during a bushwhack make you apprehensive? Have you ever had a downpour soak you to the skin while backpacking or hiking? Would you like to reduce the chance of rain while hiking? I know how to do it. And it does not involve any knowledge of meteorology, witchcraft or primitive
