Category: Backpacking
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Family on the North Fork
Backpack/packraft trips are a lot easier when an aunt is in town to share the load. And Little Bear becomes an ever-better boat passenger, who still requires constant restraint to keep out of the river. It was perfect.
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Osprey Poco AG review
The Osprey Poco AG is a well executed kid carrier for day hiking and perhaps backpacking. It carries the kid exceptionally securely and comfortably, but has serious limitations for women or the long torso’d. For detail shots of the pack, and my initial thoughts when we bought it, see here. All photos by M. We’ve…
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Packrafting’s zeroth law
We didn’t make it to the Packrafting Roundup this year, something I’ve regretted ever since, but babies get sick a lot. Thankfully Moe Witschard took a video of Luc Mehl’s presentation of packrafting safety, so all of us who were not there can hear it. I could not agree with Luc more. Canyoneering is comparable…
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Tidbits from Outdoor Retailer
Earlier this week we (M, Little Bear, and I) had the chance to head down to SLC and visit the Outdoor Retailer show as guests of Seek Outside. It was a good time, and something I’ve wanted to see for quite a while. As an introvert who is determined to embrace his aversion to strangers…
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Managing condensation: a shelter case study
The new Sierra Designs High Route tent, which manages condensation via interior air volume and venting, at the expense of vaguely compromised weatherproofing. Photo by Andrew Skurka. Condensation is a fact of life when camping in the backcountry. Under certain circumstances condensation will occur in any shelter. The art is in mitigating and avoiding condensation,…
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Seek Outside Unaweep Divide review
Disclaimer: no way around it, I’m biased as hell about this pack. Seek Outside gave it to me for free, and it is based in small part on feedback I gave on previous Seek Outside packs. Beyond that, I like the folks at Seek Outside a lot, and they’re always a pleasure to talk to. …
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Concerning broification
Broification: a trend in outdoor adventure sports/activities, which results in an increase in the perceived average level of mastery within a given pursuit, thus dissuading novices from pursuing any nascent interest. If you don’t already read Hansi Johnson’s Universal Klister I’d suggest you start, as it’s one of the most authentic outdoor blogs around. Mr.…
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Glacier is deep
I’ve got an important history with this place, going back into my childhood, so it was a particular pleasure to see the most remote corner with someone who had only been around a time or two. The secret is that on the western edges Glacier starts at 3500′, and while the corridor of sub-alpine possibility…
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Sneaking the Guardhouse
Andrew Skurka is a more meticulous navigator than I am. This isn’t saying much, as after identifying an area of interest and a plausible route through it postulating details bores me quickly. Thus I put off his amazement, and seeming discombobulation, at the depth and immediacy of the traverse around Thunderbird Peak and The Guardhouse…
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The worst best trail
No question, the Highline is the worst of the very best trails in Glacier. On the one hand it’s extraordinary scenic, cutting a bold traverse right along treeline through one of the steeper walls in the park. You almost always have complex, 5th class crags above you, and steep green slopes (and the road) below…
Bedrock & Paradox 
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