I’ve had this shelter for 5 years; however it isn’t my “go to” shelter and it might not be the best shelter for you. So how did I get to this point (the Trailstar) and why. Continue reading If I Could Have Only One Shelter it Would be a MLD TrailStar
This shoe weighs 3.5 ounces in a men’s size 12. That’s 7 ounces for a pair of backpacking shoes! Continue reading The Lightest ‘backpacking shoe’ in the Universe
There are no “rules of thumb” or standards to determine what is needed for every individual to stay warm. Each of us is different and what sleep system will work varies by individual. Bottom line is trial and error is the path for determining what gear will work for each person. In addition, I have found that as I get older, I sleep colder. On my last trip I was somewhat cold. Not dangerously cold, but inconveniently cold – meaning I woke up several times each night due to the cold.
Temperatures at night were in the mid 30’s Fahrenheit, and my sleeping quilt was “rated” to 32F. I should have been warm, right? Wrong, the entire sleeping system has to be configured for the conditions. I did a couple things wrong, and it is always useful to analyze things when the outcome is less than desirable. Continue reading I Slept Cold on My Last Backpacking Trip: And This is Why
Well, it’s just a product review. And these just happen to be the best damn lightweight backpacking shoes on the planet. How can I make such a claim? Continue reading Long Term (10 year) Product Review: Salomon XA Pro 3D Trail Running Shoes
For most people, myself included, the primary function of a compass is a simple “field check,” which is orienting the map to North using your compass and then visually associating the terrain to the map. Basically you know where you are, but you need to check details for such things as deciding if is best to hike to the left of a large rock outcropping or right when you are off trail or the trail has become too faint to follow.
Continue reading How to Orient Your Map Quickly With a Compass
This post isn’t a condemnation of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), but a caution that all USGS Topo maps aren’t created equal. In fact, I think the USGS is one of the very few worthwhile government services. So let’s take a look at some of the inconsistencies of these topo maps that might cause problems for those walking in wild areas.
Continue reading The Inconsistencies of USGS Topo Maps: WTF?
In the post Set Up Your Compass Faster & More Accurately With A Map Protractor I showed the readers how to navigate quicker and more accurately with a map and any compass using a map protractor.
Here are a couple additional tips…
There are 4 months left in the year and I am beginning to see articles about The Best Backpacking Gear of 2017 and My Favorite Backpacking Gear of 2017 on the Internet. I don’t read these kinds of things any more because the “new” gear is generally no better or lighter than the 2016 lists of stuff, 2015 lists, 2010 lists, or even marginally lighter or better than gear that was sold 40 years ago in 1977.
There is one piece of equipment I recently saw that has some promise, but I didn’t read about it in one of those “best” or “favorite” gear articles.
Continue reading UL Backpacking and the Coming Financial & Environmental Crises
A lot of people retire (a.k.a replace) gear when a “new and improved” model appears on the market. I prefer to replace gear when something wears out and can no longer be repaired. Instead of constantly “upgrading” the money saved can be saved and invested.
Looks like it’s time for me to retire some gear.
Continue reading When Should Your Retire (backpacking gear)?
Back in June I presented my Headlamp Buyer’s Guide. One of the lights I have been using for ten years is the Photon Micro-Light II and in the guide I recommended not trying to replace the batteries in the field.
These little lights retail for around $12 and are sturdy. They last a long time, only weigh ¼ ounce (7 grams) and are a favorite of many hikers. Most people I know who like these lights just throw them away when the batteries are dead and buy a new once. Some don’t even know the battery can be replaced.
Continue reading Throwaway Backpacking Gear? Photon Micro-Light II