Our Border Route Trail trip report and Ultralight Gear list just published, so it's time to talk about FOOD! This post features the menu from my Border Route Trail trip, THREE favorite recipes (ie kitchen experiments), and some handy tips and resources for making your own meals on the trail. IMPORTANT NOTE: My caloric intake … Continue reading Backpacking Meal Planning + 3 Favorite Recipes
What’s In My Pack? 5 Day Lightweight Gear List!
Read about how I trimmed my pack weight back down to 25 lbs after hovering at +/- 30 lbs for a few of years. I also share what's in my 5 day Ultralight Backpacking Gear List. List includes weights in ounces, weather considerations and links to gear.
Lightweight Backpacking Tips: 5 ways I reduced my pack weight – Including packing list
FUN NEWS! Our Superior hiking Trail adventure is being featured all week as a series on the BSA Instagram page. Volunteering with our son's Boy Scout Troop has provided me with opportunities that have ignited a passion for the outdoors and empowered me to pursue adventure both inside and outside of Scouting activities. I'm grateful … Continue reading Lightweight Backpacking Tips: 5 ways I reduced my pack weight – Including packing list
Shakedown #1 and Tarptent Saddle 2
Shakedown hikes and backpacking trips are the best way you can train yourself to become a confident backpacker or day hiker. They provide a low pressure setting for you to practice new skills, learn how to use your gear, plan a hike, and develop the physical fitness required to hike all day with a backpack. -Section … Continue reading Shakedown #1 and Tarptent Saddle 2
Gear Review: Enlightened Equipment Revelation Quilt
Here it is! My first shot at writing a dedicated gear review. I have written quick reviews and recommendations embedded in trip reports that mostly express discovering nifty things or gear I found a good deal on…but wanted to challenge myself to focus on writing a review about ONE piece of gear. So why not … Continue reading Gear Review: Enlightened Equipment Revelation Quilt
Backpacking on the North Shore – Part 1: Testing My New Pack and SHT Packing List!
I'm still mentally and spiritually unpacking my trip to the North Shore of Lake Superior. It was so beautiful, I'm at a bit of a loss for words, but they will eventually come. So, lucky for you, this will be a two part post! One of the first things I did when I decided … Continue reading Backpacking on the North Shore – Part 1: Testing My New Pack and SHT Packing List!
Making Your Own Ultralight Backpack!
Have you ever thought about making your own backpacking gear? This week's post is about my experience sewing an ultralight backpack. There are lots of reasons to do it yourself, including: financial, weight savings, customization and just learning something new! If you have been reading in the last 6 months, you already know that … Continue reading Making Your Own Ultralight Backpack!
Moarrr Gearrr… and my new favorite backpacking book!
"Fear is heavy..." -Hiking Dude In my quest for updating to lightweight gear without breaking the bank for next year's SHT Thru hike, I've been selling or giving away the older stuff and picking up new gear at gear swaps or sales. See last week's post on 10 ways to rock an REI Garage sale! … Continue reading Moarrr Gearrr… and my new favorite backpacking book!
10 Tips for Scoring at an REI Garage Sale!
Sometimes I joke that my initials should just be “X” because all of my gear is marked with a black “X” signifying it was bought at an REI garage sale. I just got back from one before our hike to Lebanon Hills this weekend and found a few things I needed for our SHT hike. … Continue reading 10 Tips for Scoring at an REI Garage Sale!
Superfog & Snow Predictions
“I wonder if the snow loves the trees and fields (and windshields), that it kisses them so gently? And then it covers them up snug, you know, with a white quilt; and perhaps it says, "Go to sleep, darlings, till the summer comes again.” ― Lewis Carroll, Alice's Adventures in Wonderland & Through the Looking-Glass … Continue reading Superfog & Snow Predictions