Hi, This post is a slight departure from the backpacking trip reports and outdoor gear posts I normally put up. It is related to living an outdoor life. I’ve been using the bicycle for grocery runs of varying sizes for the past few years. This morning there was (is?) a great sale at Surdyk’s Liquor…
Hi, When I went night hiking in Yosemite up Half Dome, or winter backpacking hiking 4 hours in the dark at altitude…on snow, I had one headlamp. My father gave it to me just before one of his trips. I did not do any research on it, after all, a headlamp gives you light, and…
The Kalalau Trail offers stunning views of rainforest, ridges, and valleys along the Na Pali coast. The trail can be done in a few different ways: a day trip, overnight camp, or illegally. The day hike we did totaled 8 miles R/T and offered views of a few waterfalls and awesome views. Permits and Route:…
Hi, The most useful part of this post, might be where I link to other people at the end. hahaha. Here are some possible gear set-ups for hiking and backpacking. Mainly, I’m thinking cheap and available. 11-16 and 50mm ultra wide angle + short tele (portrait lens) 18-55 normal zoom 70-200 longer zoom There are…
Hi, A five-gallon plastic camping jug, dipped into the obsidian lake waters in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area, weighs about 41 lbs. Best done with two people because with the make-shift handles on our jugs, the waddle-walk back to shore really helped me appreciate drinking water back home. Some people do much more for much…
In the airport security line, with a huge overstuffed bag. The alarm goes off and now the TSA agent is opening it up, undoing the beautiful packing job that you’ve done. It just takes time and headache. Minimize this problem by packing a lighter bag. My goal here is to decrease the weight and bulk…
Hi, I grew up in California. So people here say ‘up North’ and it confuses me because I didn’t know I could get more north ex (Ely or Hallock, Minnesota…which in my mind are deep into Canada). Even though I’m ‘down in the cities’ it gets cold here. How cold? I don’t go running when…
I’m headed on snow camping trip and a trip to Vegas, which poses some interesting packing challenges. My goal is to avoid having to check a bag…instead doing the whole trip with carry-on luggage. What do I put everything in? Chrome delta flap-top bag – bought this bag in new york on a sweet sale…
Our trip was cancelled. We did the lottery for Ostrander Ski hut back in November, did cardio training, got a weekend that didn’t work for us, adjusted plans by deciding to do an overnight, checked everyday for openings (I checked nearly every hour I was on the computer), and FINALLY got our weekend dates that…
Hi,I’ve been back and forth with my friends about what gear we’ll be taking on the ski trip. UPDATE: this trip did not end up going as expected. See trip report here: Recovering from a Canceled Trip. CAMP GEAR shelter – bivy sacks or a tent. I’ve found interesting SOL emergency bivys that range from…
I have a pair of alpine downhill skiing boots, can I use those with an alpine touring (randonee?) setup? Yes How do you size normal alpine vs randonee vs telemark skis? I usually am comfortable with 160cm alpine skis…should I look for identical length tele / randonee skis? Pretty similar length between the three. Some…
“It’s like a dragonfly riding on the back of a cockroach!” I ran over and saw this weird thing happening. When I looked around more, I found a ton of them all over the place…like on my boot. Basically, we didn’t leave for like 20 minutes as this alien spawn emerged from its carapace. These…
Hi all, A couple of friends and I haven’t seen each other in a few months. I’m headed out this January to do a cross country ski trip at the Ostrander Ski Hut in California. I think it’s going to be fun, and at least has been a way for us to keep in touch…
Probably not a secret to locals, but I stumbled into a weird network of rock outcroppings and dirt trails that runs parallel to the Mississippi River Trail in the Cities. Doesn’t look like it’s maintained or safe at all, so proceed at your own risk. Was waiting at this bench when I noticed a little…
Interstate state park was cool It was highly recommended to me to check out taylors falls. Misnomer and somewhat of a letdown is that there are no waterfalls. Glad I did not know that because had I known this trip would have never gotten off the group and I would have missed some cool things…
