It seems that many folks are playing around with different kinds of Cuben Tech variants to make waterproof and breathable clothing. I guess they missed my Search for the Holy Grail article on this fallacy.
Aside from this fruitless search, many people feel that Cuben Tech clothing is not visually appealing — I think the term is aesthetically.
I think folks are missing the positive unintended consequences of my Cuben Tech poncho.
Continue reading Cuben Tech Clothing: Unintended Consequences
Not long ago I was hiking in a remote area. Remote meaning I didn’t expect to meet any people. There wasn’t a trail to follow, no signs, and I knocked down the accurate cairns while leaving the inaccurate ones standing. I was heading to a sensitive historical area to which some bonehead had posted detailed directions on the Internet, which usually means morons will start visiting and damaging the site.
While I didn’t expect to see anyone else hiking in the area, there is always the possibility someone else will be in the area, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing. I ran into a fellow who asked if I had a topographical (topo) map he could look at. Before continuing with the rest of the story, a brief discussion of topo is in order.
If you have been reading my website for a while, you probably know that LW, UL, SUL, and XUL are backpacking categories for base weights. Base weight is the weight of your backpack and contents minus any consumables such as water, food, and fuel.
Most people define these as:
Continue reading It’s Time to Shit-can the LW, UL, SUL, and XUL Labels
If you are camping or backpacking in California and build a fire, use any kind of stove or lantern with a flame, you must obtain and have on your person a California Campfire Permit. There might be some areas that are exempt, but it is best just to always have one because it can be difficult to sort out the regulations and many Government employees don’t know the regulations either. Normally if you are camped in a developed campground, a permit is not needed. However, sometimes there are exceptions.
This has been required for as long as I can remember, even in the 1960’s.
Permits are issued at most offices of the US Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, National Park Service, and the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. But not always. You are dealing with government agencies. You can also get them online at these agencies, but not always.
Continue reading Don’t forget to get your 2014 California Campfire Permit
I have more fun shopping for gifts than the enjoyment the recipients receive from their gifts. I only give gifts to those who are important in my life, which means just a handful. This year during my gift search I ran across MountainGoat Hats, or more precisely I kept reading great reviews.
Well, I guess it is close to that time when everyone posts their favorite gear for the year.
Let me state up front: I like Patagonia products. I have lots of Patagonia items and have been doing business with them since the early 1980’s, when they were Chouinard Equipment. The gear is good, and Patagonia gets top dollar for it.
This may surprise you, but I am not going to talk about gear; I am going to talk about advertising.
Nice article on Bedrock & Paradox by Dave, “That’s not a review”
Dave is not as subtle as me:)
But in the same vein as what I wrote in several posts:
I took it a bit further in Backpacking Gear Is Getting Boring
No, this isn’t about gear. A while back I wrote an article about backpacking gear getting boring. So is camping gear.
It is time to talk about getting out into the wilderness and actually using your gear.
Sometimes I am amazed by the amount of time so many folks spend on the Internet talking about camping or backpacking, but not really going out and actually doing it. So many people talk about not having the time to camp or hike. Here is a little secret, you can go camping and/or backpacking over 100 days per year and work full time!
Before you say, “But I don’t live close to wild areas,” consider doing this: MOVE
If getting outdoors is important, which I assume is true for most people who spend days on end on Internet forums talking about it, then move if you live far from recreational opportunities.
Where I live and hike, each year dozens of people are rescued because they lack the skills, experience, common sense, brains, or equipment to stay safe. And almost every year some die. And each year it gets worse, because people read about places to hike on the Internet or in trail guides and head out without the skills, experience or gear that could keep them alive.
Gear and equipment is important, if you know why you need it, how to use it, and when certain items are necessary.
If you hike or backpack, then you probably have heard of the 10 Essentials that should be carried on every trip, even day hikes.
Continue reading The 4 (not 10) Essentials for Hiking and Backpacking