Category: Racing
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2017 Bob Open, planning from afar
As things stand today, the family and I will almost certainly be at the start of the 2017 Bob Open, if for no other reason than we rented the (superlatively gorgeous) forest service cabin at the start for the nights of the 26th and 27th. I’m less certain I’ll actually start the course, but knowing…
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Upper Level Stream Crossings, updated
A post Philip put up the other day temporarily boosted traffic to this post from 2013, prompting me to give it a re-read. One of the best things about this website is being able to delve into the past and get a little taste of what my life was like then. In this case, coming…
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Backpack problems, and answers
In the last few months I’ve had impetus from several directions to hit the reset button on backpacks as completely as possible. Shake off and re-examine as many assumptions as possible before I put them into practice. This bag, and this post, are only a first step towards that end. Problem 1: Seams are the…
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How my favorite gear will die
In the last six months I seem to be reaching a point where a bunch of my favorite gear, the stuff I love to use and have recommended without reservation, is wearing out. Given that this process is for most (myself included*) quite rare and usually gradual and therefore apt to avoid direct attention, it…
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My backcountry clothing system
Last night I was as physically shattered as I’d been in almost a year. My eyes felt pushed from their sockets, due to dehydration, by hands were so dry they seemed to stick, with a combination of sandpaper and velcro, to everything I touched. My triceps ached, from paddling, my ribs stung, from jackknifing attempts…
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The Ultimate Hikers Gear Guide, 2nd edition
Disclaimer: Mr. Skurka gave me this copy at a book signing during the winter OR show. First, the rationale behind the obnoxious title must be dealt with. Skurka’s “ultimate hiker” is one who tailors every aspect of her trip to serve walking, while the “ultimate camper” would maximize camping. It’s an intelligible distinction, one which…
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Three trends from 2017 Winter OR
Sasha photobombs Luke’s beer. When I first attended OR last year I expected to hate it, as consumerism and massive groups of strangers are two thing with which I have little patience. I didn’t, in fact I enjoyed it, and while the first day of the winter show today was less novel and captivating due…
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2016; 10 photos
The first thing I can remember about 2016 was not sleeping, at least not for more than 90 minutes at a stretch, in early January during Little Bear’s rather spectacular six month sleep regression, which coincidentally or not happened on a trip to Iowa. That has been the first story of the year, the extent…
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Seek Outside BT2 v. Silvertip
I do not think I could overstate how enjoyable, educational, and flattering the past month at my new job has been. Enjoyable because the crew at Seek Outside operates with both integrity and joy in equal measure. Educational because, whatever I may or may not know about using gear outside, there are many things about…
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Training for the 2017 Bob Open
The Bob Open is less than six months away. If you’re thinking about making the trip this is less time than you think, and I’d recommend starting a training plan now if you have not already. (I started this post in the wee hours, after waking up to the sudden realization that I hadn’t reserved…
Bedrock & Paradox 
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