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Navigating Without a Compass, Map, or GPS
This article describes natural navigator techniques I’ve found helpful while bushwhacking - navigating without a compass, map, or GPS.
Nemo Equipment Astro Insulated Lite 25L Sleeping Pad Review
The Nemo Equipment Astro Insulated Lite 25L sleeping pad is a plush sleeping pad that adds a touch of luxury to backcountry sleeping. Although discontinued by Nemo, this unique pad may be worth scouring remnant inventory and used gear sales - as of the publication of this review, it may offer the best luxury-comfort-to-weight ratio of any sleeping pad ever manufactured.
Atom Packs “The Atom” Backpack Review (First Looks)
The Atom is the smallest and lightest backpack offered by the UK’s Atom Packs. It is a specialized tool aimed at the fast and light hiker.
MSR PocketRocket 2 Mini Stove Kit Review
The MSR PocketRocket 2 Mini Stove Kit is a complete cook-and-eat solution for one person, featuring a stove, pot, bowl, lid, and pot lifter.
Hummingbird Hammocks Reviews: Single, Single+, Pelican, Warbler, and Suspension System
Hummingbird Hammocks offers a variety of Made in the USA hammocks and accessories including three hammocks, two hammock tarps, a bug net, and other accessories. They have some unique features such as Button Links that eliminate the need for carabiners and integrated tree straps with whoopie slings which simplify the suspension system and make setup very easy. They also offer what is likely the lightest hammock on the market - the Single Hammock, which weighs a scant 5.6 oz. Can the lightest hammock also be the most comfortable?
ThruNite Ti3 Flashlight Review
The ThruNite Ti3 is a diminutive but rugged little flashlight that can produce as much as 120 Lumens of brightness on a single AAA battery.
Hyperlite Mountain Gear REpurpose Bottle Review
The Hyperlite Mountain Gear REpurpose water bottle is a recycled aluminum bottle developed with the lightweight outdoor community in mind.
Vargo V3 Titanium Pocket Cleats Review
Vargo V3 Titanium Pocket Cleats are half the weight of leading lightweight traction devices, but do they perform for running and backpacking?
Podcast 004 | Guide’s Roundtable
A conversation w/guides Kevin, Dan, Adam and Ryan about the philosophy and benefits of ultralight backpacking.
Tritensil Review
This Tritensil Review features a knife/fork/spoon set done in hard plastic. You can reassemble to make a long-handled spoon or fork.
Topo Athletic Terraventure Review (Trail Running Shoes)
This Topo Athletic Terraventure review features shoes that have narrow heels, a wide toebox, and minimal drop.
Big Agnes Insulated Double Z Sleeping Pad Review
The Big Agnes Insulated Double Z sleeping pad is a wide and comfy pad that adds luxury to sleeping in the backcountry.
MYOG: Seam Construction and Taping of New Dimension-Polyant Fabrics
This article presents the results of some cursory material construction tests using the newer Dimension-Polyant (DP) fabrics from the LS, VX, and WX families, as well as seam-taping using DP-supplied seam tapes. The context here is MYOG/DIY backpack construction.
Garmin inReach Mini Review
The Garmin inReach Mini is the smallest, lightest, and most powerful satellite messaging device on the market.
High Sierra Trail (Film) Review
The High Sierra Trail Film by Chris Smead explores the history and wonder of the John Muir Trail's little brother in this festival circuit documentary.
Atom Packs Prospector Review (First Looks)
The Prospector is the flagship pack from Atom Packs, a British Company. Each pack is hand-built to order by owner Tom Gale, and the packs are made either as a standard configuration or fully customizable. This Atom Packs Prospector Review takes a first look at this rucksack.
Case Studies: Using Google Earth to Plan Wilderness Trips
This article presents some case studies of using Google Earth for wilderness trip planning, with a presentation of my process and lessons learned.
Podcast 003 | Backpacking Food and Nutrition
In this episode we tackle the science, myths, and dogma surrounding backpacking food and nutrition. Featuring guest Brian Rigby, certified sports nutritionist and author. We tackle food and nutrition issues as they relate to thru-hiking, ketogenic diets, plant-based diets (veganism and vegetarianism), gluten-free issues, and macronutrient-micronutrient nutrition. Some questions we ask: what are the caloric and nutritional needs of backpackers? Why do we need to address dogma and pseudo-science in this field? We also take a look at some new cooking and water treatment gear and discuss what’s going on in the world of Backpacking Light right now.
Dehydrated and Freeze-Dried Backpacking Dinners (Gear Guide)
This gear guide features several dozen options for freeze-dried and dehydrated backpacking dinners from many different brands and provides nutritional information on each one for comparison purposes.
National Monument Reduction: What Are We Really Losing?
Late last year, United States President Donald Trump took action for national monument reduction in Utah, Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante. This article explores the issues.
Wandering in a Thirsty Country – Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks National Monument
When Donald Trump took office he appointed as his Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke, a former member of Congress with a 4% lifetime score from the League of Conservation voters. Like Trump’s other cabinet members, much ink has been spilled concerning Zinke’s qualifications, the “fox guarding the henhouse” nature of his appointment, the various scandals that have surfaced during his time at Interior. Perhaps less well known to the general public is that Secretary Zinke, under orders from President Trump, recommended major changes to ten of the nation’s National Monuments. The most famous and contentious of these Monuments are Bears Ears and Grand Staircase - Escalante. But Organ Mountain - Desert Peaks, tucked away in a quiet corner of New Mexico, made the list as well.
"Simplify, then add lightness." - Colin Chapman
Super Thermo Zip PoloSynthetic mesh base layer with a high zip neck for venting or extra warmth and shoulder inlays for pack-carrying comfort. Weighs 6oz | 170g
