Rest in Peace, Melissa
Today I was planning to post a route map and overview notes from my recent traverse of Southwest Tasmania. It was to be the first in a series of articles on what was one of the toughest trips I have Read More …
Gear Tip: Zip Neck Base Layers
I always opt for zip neck base layers over the non-zip variety. Why? In a word – versatility. In two words – temperature management. Over the course of a hiking day, weather conditions and exertion levels may vary considerably. A Read More …
Big Sky & the Secret to Public Speaking
While hiking just south of Agua Dulce on the Pacific Crest Trail, I met a fellow rambler who went by the name of ‘Big Sky’. We ended up walking and chatting together for about 40 minutes. Near the end of Read More …
Cows of our Planet – The Hiking Life Remix
Yesterday I came across a copy of Cows of Our Planet, one of Gary Larson’s legendary The Far Side comic collections. A wonderful celebration of all things bovine, it got me thinking about some of the memorable cow encounters I’ve had during Read More …
Review: Montbell U.L. Trekking Umbrella
“A reflective umbrella will keep you significantly cooler than a non-reflective model when hiking in hot conditions. That’s the long-time consensus in the backpacking community. There’s only one problem………..it’s largely a myth.“ I bought my Montbell U.L. Trekking Umbrella in Read More …
A Quick & Dirty Guide to the Larapinta Trail
Situated in the heart of Northern Territory’s Outback, the Larapinta Trail is one of Australia’s premier long distance hikes. Winding its way some 231 km along the incredible West MacDonnell ranges, it traverses ridges and plains, and passes through some of Read More …
Top 5 Posts of 2015
Here are the five most viewed Hiking Life posts of 2015. When looking at the WordPress stats, I couldn’t help but notice that the most popular articles were a microcosm of my overall approach to blogging. A balance between humour, trip Read More …
2015 – The Year in Pictures
It’s been a great year on the hiking front. Extended trips in southwest Tasmania, the Colombian Andes, New York’s Adirondacks and the Colorado Rockies. Throw in some shorter hikes in my beloved Mexico and my ‘ancestral’ home of Queensland, Australia. All Read More …
How to Keep your Hands Warm while Hiking in Cold Weather
Your hands, head, and feet constitute your body’s initial warning system when temperatures start dropping. Due to their high surface area to mass ratio, these are the places that you are likely to feel the cold first. You may be decked Read More …
Going Lighter and “The Big Three”
Thinking about reducing your pack weight, but not exactly sure where to begin? Before you start cutting the labels off your clothes, the edges off your maps and the end off your toothbrush, it’s worth noting that the most significant Read More …
Ten Crappy (but practical) Christmas Gifts for Hikers
Over the past few weeks, I’ve noticed that quite a few hiking blogs are coming out with “Great Ideas for affordable Christmas Gifts” posts. You know the ones I’m talking about. Useful items that you can pick up for $25, $50, Read More …
Review: Montbell Peak Shell Rain Jacket
Looking for a lightweight, well designed rain jacket that doesn’t cost the earth? Coming in at 9.1 oz and retailing for $175, the Montbell Peak shell represents a good option. Before diving into the review, let me state the following Read More …
Backpacking Coffee Solutions
I love to backpack. I love a morning coffee. The conundrum lies in the fact that during three season hikes, I rarely carry a stove. For winter excursions, I generally only cook at night. It’s one of those “going lighter” Read More …
Leavin’ on that Llama Train to Lima
The coolest llama train I ever saw was the first llama train I ever saw. It was in Peru’s Colca Canyon (one of the world’s deepest) in July, 1996. Specifically, the second day of a five day hike I was Read More …
Backpacking First-Aid Kit
I’ve met overnight hikers carrying First-Aid kits that would put your average paramedic to shame. At the other end of the spectrum, I’ve also encountered walkers on longer treks armed with nothing but duct tape and a “I’ll be ok, nothing Read More …
Winter is Coming
“The path wound its way through the snow laden trees. The forest had an ethereal quality, that made me feel as if I was floating rather than hiking. It was mid-November in the Appalachian mountains. Winter was coming.” ~ Cam Read More …
Musings from the Grand Enchantment Trail
What happens when hiking, history* and a love of old films all come together on the Grand Enchantment Trail? A broad, toothy grin and a trip down memory lane, by way of vintage movie theatres and dusty copies of Time-Life Read More …
Review: Katabatic Gear Sleeping Quilts
Since 2011, I have used two sleeping quilts on all of my backcountry trips. They are the Katabatic Palisade 30°F and the Katabatic Sawatch 15°F. Below is my long term review for both products. Field Experience Time: More than 600 nights in the Read More …
Five Most Memorable Hiking Meals
Food tastes better in the outdoors. Perhaps it’s a combination of fresh air, beautiful surroundings, and all that exercise you’re doing. Over the years, many of my hiking journeys have been marked by memorable meals which resulted from unexpected invitations. Luck? Read More …
Colorado Trail Gear List | September, 2015
Early to mid September was a great time to be hiking the Colorado Trail. Monsoon season practically over, crisp mornings, not too chilly of an evening, the Fall colours just starting to kick in. I encountered quite a bit of Read More …