Daylight Savings is just a few days away and no one could be happier than me! More daylight hours in the afternoon preluding longer days in general is enough to make anyone, let only someone who loves the outdoors, giggle with glee. There is a common wisdom to check and change your smoke detector batteries…
It is that time of year again. The American Long Distance Hiking Association’s Cascade Ruck hits the Columbia Gorge this month. If you haven’t been to one of these and hope to do a long distance hike in the future (or just want to lighten your pack, score great gear deals or hang out with…
I was asked to review Grangers® Down Care Kit and provided a package of the product to do so. I tested it on my down sleeping bag and jacket and all opinions are my own. It was time. Time to wash my Mountain Hardware® Phantasia* sleeping bag. I have had it for 6 years…
This is my ode to the white trash compactor bag, an essential item for any venture out into the great outdoors! Ever since I found out how useful a white lightweight plastic bag can be on the trail, I have been singing its praises. I even mention it in my Different Kind of Hiker Gift…
Editor’s note: this page was updated on 1/15/2021 Ah, the eternal hiker question. Which are better, gloves or mittens? There are benefits to both gloves and mittens. Some would say that gloves are better because they allow you to do things with your hands that you can’t with mittens that require more manual dexterity…
As I was listing out my snowshoe trips from last year for my Snowshoes page, I had a revelation. I did A LOT of snowshoe trips last year. I went from zero time on snowshoes in the winter of 2014-15 to 23 trips in 2015-16. Wow! So, I guess I must have learned a lot…