Category: Tech
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Fat Camp 2013: Gear notes
The usual 2-4 day trips my life choices permit are fairly easy to plan, even in harsher seasons. A week, even in good weather, has less margin for inattention. That said, no major errors were made by anyone, and as detailed in the previous days the trip went smoothly. It should be apparent that the…
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Minimalist shoes in technical terrain
Executive summary: minimalist shoes will help you move faster and safer in technical terrain, but have a substantial transition period and come with several significant and perhaps irrevocable downsides. M photo. Before preceding further we must define terms. Minimalist shoes can be broadly defined as those with well under 10mm of delta, and well under…
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The Two Essentials
This weekend I’m headed out on the biggest trip of the summer, a seven day traverse through the eastern and southern sections of Yellowstone National Park. Conditions look good; highs in the low 70s, lows in the high 30s, and the one problem ford down to an acceptable level (i.e. my shorter and lighter companions…
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LaSportiva: Anakonda v. X Country
Light, quick drying, and tough enough to last off-trail. I’m still looking for a shoe which will do all three. Yes, I know I beat the hell out of my shoes. Yes, I know trail runners are not made for what I do. I’m still going to keep asking for more, even if it is…
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Wild Things Tactical wind gear
I’m not convinced that actual camo is necessary for hunting ungulates. I shot my first deer ~10 years ago wearing a red and black plaid shirt, after all. I was convinced that for an autumn wear I intended to take hunting seriously, I needed performance shells in colors other than the nuclear red and orange…
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An incomplete treatise on ‘mid selection
BD Megalight with aftermarket guy points resisting the wind. A pyramid shelter is the most versatile shelter for outdoor adventure. There are many reasons to not have a quiver of tarps and tents, and the best one is that having one shelter suitable for all conditions allows you to grab and go. A ‘mid fits…
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Packing for the South Fork
Worth an annual visit: the highest praise a route can deserve. The South Fork of the Flathead merits exactly that.
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Clever, but not yet smart
CleverHiker.com wants to make the best backpacking tutorial videos, so you can, as narrator Dave Collins says at the end of each episode; “Hike light, hike smart, have fun.” Earlier this year they raised a pile of money, and last month the first season went live. They were kind enough to provide free downloads to…
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Why the Gorilla works
Disclaimer: as a trail ambassador I got this for free. M photo. I’ve been impressed with the Gossamer Gear Gorilla. One of the foremost reasons I got involved with Gossamer Gear is that their packs didn’t mesh well with my previous ideas of what a backcountry pack ought to be. Thankfully my hopes have been…
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Applicability of the Alpacka Scout
2010 Yukon Yak at left, 2013 Scout at right. Earlier this year I bought the Scout to see if a lighter, simpler, cheaper but still high quality packraft could fulfill many of my requirements. The utility of the main line Alpackas are well established, but their packed size and weight (6 pounds for my Yak,…
Bedrock & Paradox 
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