Pee rag – Kula Cloth vs. cotton bandanna
With over six months of active use, Joan looks at the well-known Kula Cloth and compares it to the more budget-minded bandanna from the past decade-plus of use. Read More …
Search Results for: Arizona Trail
Thoughts on hiking solo
Joan shares some thoughts on her solo hiking experience. Read More …
Hands-free umbrella rigging
Joan shares her techniques for using an umbrella hands-free. Bonus: She also shares some unique, and colorful, alternative uses for an umbrella, too! Read More …
About Joan West
I grew up in Oregon and moved to the DC suburbs as a teenager. I got my love for off-trail scrambling, for ponderosa pine, for mountains, and for places where solitude can be found from my dad. My mom taught Read More …
Ground Cloths : A quick overview
An overlook at some options for ground cloths when backpacking or camping. Updated for 2018. Read More …
Ten outdoor documentaries to watch
Some documentaries I’ve enjoyed over the years. These are all available for streaming. Some for free! Read More …
Foothills and Frost: Winter camping and hiking
Some catching up with a friend with some winter camping and hiking in the foothills outside of Boulder, Colorado. Read More …
The Gift of Time – My dream adventure
Most of us (all?) have played the game: What if money and time was no object? What would I do? Well among outdoor enthusiasts, the conversation invariably is: What is my dream adventure? Well, here’s mine. If I was gifted Read More …
Vagabonds for Beauty
A few days ago I rode into the red rocks and sandy desert and it was like coming home again. –Everett Ruess, VAGABOND FOR BEAUTY There are certain places that always call to me. Places that are never far from Read More …
Texas Sojurn 2024 – Big Bend National Park, Part 1
The first part of our ten days at Big Bend National Park. Read More …
Gear over the years – A look back, Part 1
The first in a series of some quick looks at some gear or gear-adjacent items we still use over the years. Read More …
Gear we liked for 2024
Our annual summary of “The Gear We Liked” in 2024. A mix of cottage, budget, and even some MYOG courtesy of the talented Joan. Read More …
2023 in review
A look over 2023 with some photos and a few thoughts. Read More …
Gear we liked for 2023
Our annual look at the pieces of gear and clothing we enjoyed over the past year. A mix of high-end, cottage, budget, and even surplus. Read More …
The last journey
Polar explorers talk about the concept of last journeys. Maybe we are in the age of last, traditionally defined, other outdoor journeys as well? Read More …
A look back at 2022
A look at 2022. Some sentiment, some snark, and lots of photos. Read More …
Signs of the outdoors – Part 2
More signs I found amusing over my years of wilderness travel. Read More …
Signs of the Outdoors – Part 1
A collection of signs I found amusing from my (mainly) outdoor travels. Part 1. Read More …