Communication technology options: A vendor neutral view
An overlook at various options for communication technology in the backcountry for personal use, emergency, commercial, or search and rescue applications. Read More …
Category: Gear
The most popular topic of the outdoors it seems.
Getting organized, some light construction, and a sewing room
What I’ve been up to and answering the occasional questions of how we organize all our gear and clothing. Read More …
What’s in your mail drop?
Joan details what she places in her maildrops for long hikes and why. With a focus on her cold food (no stove) strategy.
My day pack – what I have prepacked
Rather than accidentally forget the gear, I always have my ~3 lb daypack pre-staged. Here’s what’s in my day pack. Read More …
Lightweight Backpacking: BassPro and Cabela’s
Going lightweight (sub-20lbs) with gear and clothing from BassPro and Cabela’s. Yes, the 8 billion dollar company sells “real” outdoor gear not in camo! Read More …
Quick Tip: Dishwashing gloves for rain
A budget item that is readily available for keeping your hands warm and dry in cold rain. 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 …
Gear Review: Six Moon Designs Silver Shadow carbon umbrella
Joan reviews this 6.8 oz (193g) carbon fiber shaft umbrella after many miles of hiking in Utah, Nevada, and on the PCT. Read More …
Gear Review: Toaks titanium alcohol stove cook system
A light and efficient stove system suitable for solo use. But it is the Siphon Stove itself that most impressed me. Read More …
Food Review: “Eat Your Coffee” snack bars
Snack bars; with a caffeine buzz. Read More …
Road trip gear all-stars
Some useful items for our Summer 2019 road trip. Read More …
Lorpen socks – good quality on a budget
Lorpen light hiker wool socks are a quality budget minded item. Read More …
A sorta history of modern ultralight backpacking
Lightweight or even “ultra-lightweight” backpacking is nothing new of course. But when did the term as we now know it come about? Read More …
Gear review: Kuhl Renegade Pants
Time to put up or shut up. How much better do I find the $90 hiking pants vs. the $30 pants I’ve worn for many days and miles over the past two years? Read More …
Long term review – Nazaroo Performance Insoles
The Nazaroo insoles are $15, work well, and also have similar quality and construction to more expensive options. Read More …
Re-thinking long gaiters
I don’t use long gaiters for three-season backpacking. But I know people who do. And here’s why. Read More …
One year review – Fenix UC02
The Fenix UC02 is a replacement for the Photon II that is part of my everyday toolkit. Read More …
All about the lumens and some real world use
What the heck is a lumen? And what does this rating mean for real-world application? Read More …