Ultralight Catechism: When a Toolkit Becomes Dogma
Ultralight works best as a toolkit, not a creed. A case for skills over spreadsheets and context over catechism. Read More …
Year: 2025
The Quiver – Top Shelters of all time!
What began as a parody of “top ten” gear lists has grown into a reflection on how real shelter choices evolve with trips, partners, seasons, and the simple goal of sleeping well and walking on. Updated 2025. Read More …
Thanksgiving by the Oregon Coast
Holiday hikes on the Oregon coast—rain, sun, ocean, and family time. My second ocean in a month’s time. Both beautiful in their own way, but the desert still calls us home. Read More …
Gear we liked for 2025
Our annual roundup of the simple, effective gear that served Joan and me well in 2025 — from shelters and stoves to daypacks, pans, and a few DIY touches. Read More …
Red Rocks, and then, the coast
a local hike on Moab before we visit our family. Read More …
Outdoors after 50
What you do regularly matters more than what you do spectacularly. Hiking after 50 isn’t about slowing down, it’s about living a life where movement is ordinary, not exceptional. Read More …
One step at a time, differently – Long Distance hiking vs. Thru-hiking
Not every long journey on foot is a thru-hike and not every long-distance hike needs to be one. Some musings on the difference. Read More …
The Colorado Trail “End to End” Guide
A guide for planning long hikes on The Colorado Trail. Town info, resupply, alt routes, logistics, and general info. Revised regularly and updated Nov 2025. Read More …
Shoulder Season – The Time in Between
You’ll often see publications and experienced outdoors people talk about “shoulder season.” What is it? And what adjustments do you need to make? Read More …
A Structured Rambling: The Eight-Hour, One-Mile Day
Joan and I set a new PR for structured rambling as we wandered into a canyon country nook. Read More …
Quick Tip – Kitty litter bucket for camping and river
A humble kitty litter bucket beats a $70 “utility bucket” any day—stronger, square, easier to pack, and endlessly useful on river and camp trips. Read More …
Desert Quartet
A backpacking trip to another remote desert location with some friends. Read More …
WANE Bonus : A Post-Hike History Tour
A “bonus” entry from my New England Walk where I took in colonial, early US, and early 20th century era history. Read More …
My desert homecoming
I’m away for over a month, I’ve been home two days…let’s go backpacking! Read More …
A Walk Across New England (WANE) – Overall Thoughts
The wrap-up post about my 500-mile walk through New England from the Canadian border to the Atlantic Ocean.
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WANE – Part 5 – At the Atlantic shore
I reached the ocean and concluded my 500-mile walk through a New England autumn. Read More …
WANE – Part 4 – Into southern New England
My walk continues into southern New England. Read More …
WANE – Part 3 – The Lands In-Between; Moosilauke to Monadnock
My walk continues with the lands between Moosilauke and Mondnock Read More …