Trail Guides, Gear Reviews, and Backpacking Tips
Glissading is fun, exciting & potentially hazardous to your health. Six points for hikers to remember in regards to glissading: 1. Never glissade if you are in any doubt as to the safety of a slope (e.g. crevasses, avalanche potential, Read More …
Note: The following story took place during my 2011 thru hike of the Pacific Northwest Trail. The Tungsten Mining cabins are situated in Washington’s Pasayten Wilderness. After a long day’s walk in the rain, I arrived at the Tungsten Mining Read More …
Since 2009, OPSAK bags (made by LOKSAK) have been an integral part of my backpacking kit. Irrespective of the season or environment, I’ve carried these odour proof storage bags for more than 900 nights in the backcountry, including the entire 18 month, 14,300 mile, 12 Read More …
The following events took place in May, 2009, during a hike of Ireland’s Wicklow Way. Stretching some 130 km from Marlay Park in Dublin to the village of Clonegal in County Carlow, since being established in 1980, the Wicklow Way has Read More …
Recently I’ve come across various articles relating to long distance hiking on a budget. There was 18 Ways To Prepare Your Wallet For Your Thru-Hike, How to Thru Hike on a budget and The Frugal Backpacker – The $300 Gear Challenge. Although all Read More …
The following short story took place during a trip to Pakistan’s Karakorum range in 2008. Click here for more trekking notes and logistical information from my various hikes in the region: There is a timeless quality to the Shimshal Pamir; which Read More …
This is the gear list from my recent traverse of southwest Tasmania’s Arthur Range. Driving rain, high winds and temps just above freezing (dipping below at night) were the order of the day. In regards to possible tweaks I would Read More …
Distance: 42 miles (68 km) Time: 5 days Note: The time needed to do this hike can vary dramatically depending on the conditions, as well as the fitness and experience of the hiker. As a general reference, John Chapman, in Read More …
“A hungry stomach seldom scorns plain food.” ~ Horace (65 BC – 8 BC) Food tastes better in the outdoors. I guess it’s a combination of fresh air, beautiful surroundings and all that exercise you’re doing. It also represents the Read More …
Knowing where and how to ford a fast-flowing river is one of the most important backcountry skills that a hiker can acquire. Let’s break it down into four steps: Where to Cross? Preparation for Crossing Fording Techniques Worst-Case Scenario Read More …
To a certain degree, blisters are to hikers what carpal tunnel syndrome is to court reporters – an occupational hazard. The primary cause of these little bubbles of fun is friction. Long hours on your feet combined with ill-fitting footwear Read More …
“If you can’t ride two horses at once you shouldn’t be in the circus.” – James Maxton (1885-1946) Items that can fulfill more than one purpose are a great way of decreasing your base weight, as well as simplifying your packing list. Read More …
“Never walk alone” is a refrain most commonly heard from Park Rangers, Liverpool football (soccer) fans and Rodgers and Hammerstein aficionados the world over. In so much as it relates to hiking, it can be considered sound advice for beginners Read More …
A well loaded pack can mean the difference between being comfortable and uncomfortable out on the trail. It is one of the simpler backpacking skills to learn, yet it seems to be a process that many hikers overlook. There is Read More …
Since the early 2000s, frameless backpacks have been my rucksack model of choice for the majority of hiking trips that I have done. While by no means an ideal option for all hikers and all types of journeys (see below Read More …
With all the hullabaloo in the hiking community about Cheryl Strayed’s memoir, I couldn’t resist sneaking in at least one post with “Wild” in the title. 😉 Truth be told, this list is just a fun exercise to see how much Read More …
Another great year on the hiking front has come and gone. Enjoyable shorter trips with friends, mixed together with memorable solo journeys. A fusion of coastal, desert and alpine environments. Below are twenty photos from my five favourite trips of Read More …
The following meeting took place during my Continental Divide Trail hike of 2012: As I descended towards Morrison Lake, I was approached by a latino man on horseback. He greeted me with an enthusiastic, “Hola Amigo!” Much to his surprise, I responded in Spanish. Read More …
Distance: 48 miles (77km) Time: 3 days (September 4 – 6) Start: Lake Queracocha Finish: Pastoruri Glacier Day 14 Setting out from Lake Queracocha just before midday, I made my way cross country over the windswept, treeless landscape. Navigation Read More …
For folks thinking about hiking the Pacific Crest and/or Continental Divide Trail, Yogi’s Books represent an excellent all-around source of information. Jackie McDonnell (Yogi) and Matt Signore (Worldwide) have put together comprehensive planning guides that include gear suggestions, desert & snow Read More …