Sierra Snow Trip (silly me)

March 3, 2013Backpack Trip ReportNick Gatel

Okay, I am not a big fan of snow. But almost every year I do at least one winter backpacking trip in the snow. It is pretty easy to get to high altitude and snow when you live at the base of Mt San Jacinto and are within an hour’s drive of the San Gorgonio Wilderness. But my favorite place, mountain-wise, is the Southern Sierras. Easy access and less populated with hikers than other parts of the Sierras.

Last week we had a fair amount of snow in the San Jacinto’s at 8,500 feet, so I figured there would be even more snow in the Sierras. Silly me…

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What’s on Your iPod?

March 3, 2013General TalkMusicNick Gatel

I never take music with me when backpacking. However we often listen to music at our camp when camping with our tent trailer. Jonathan Livingston Seagull is excellent accompaniment when eating breakfast under our canopy.

Recently I put together some of my favorites in a “nature” playlist in iTunes. Made for a very nice flight to Philadelphia.
Some of my favorite “nature” themed music includes:

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A Nostalgic Hike to Carey’s Castle

February 25, 2013Backpack Trip ReportNick Gatel

front of castle (02)

Last Thursday night I arrived home at the airport just before midnight. At the exit booth to pay my parking fee, I rolled down the window to the sound of grinding noise. The window motor was dead, and the window was stuck in the down position.

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Cold Monochrome Living

February 22, 2013General TalkNick Gatel

The past three weeks have been a cold gray haze. That is, I have been living in a monochrome world. Everything has been a shade of black, white or gray. And it is has been cold. It started 3 weeks ago in Colorado.

Last week I was in Illinois. It started with an early morning flight from California. Early morning means driving to the airport in the dark. As I boarded the silver gray plane, that set the color-tone for the next three days.

Descending from 30,000 feet towards O’Hare International Airport, the sky below was a gray blanket. Transitioning from a sunlight blue sky above; we dropped into a gray world. A world I would live in for the next three days.

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Deserts and Blizzards

February 12, 2013General TalkNick Gatel

Seems nearly impossible that last week I was driving to a destination in another state in a snow storm and today, at home, I could hike in 70 degree temperatures with a blue sky…

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A Gentleman’s Guide to Fitting Trousers

February 10, 2013Backpacking Gear, General TalkPants, TrousersNick Gatel

Let’s face it, most men don’t know how to buy or fit their trousers.

Properly fitted trousers will allow you to sit, stand, and walk without the material falling down, shifting, or becoming uncomfortable.
When purchasing ready-made off the rack trousers in a store, there are two measurements, the waist and the inseam.

It seems that many men don’t know where their waist is, or how to measure it.

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Elegant Dining in the Outdoors

February 10, 2013Camping, General TalkCampingNick Gatel

8th Wedding Anniversary in our Tent Trailer

Does your spouse or significant other not want to go camping (or backpacking) often enough? Maybe you need to add some romance to your outdoor activities.

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