I hiked with my Camelbak bladder all the time until a friend who is an ultralighter talked some sense into me!   Well I took his advice and now I go with a different setup in any season but winter. In the winter I will sometimes take my Camelbak Unbottle because it’s insulated and easier to keep from freezing.  However, in any season other […]

I first used this combination on the Wonderland Trail and didn’t have a bit of trouble with rodents or bear or anything for that matter! The ZPacks Roll Top Blast Food Bag is lightweight, water resistant, inexpensive and tough. It’s made of Cuben Fiber fabric and has a both a Velcro strip closure and a roll-top […]

I wanted to pass this along for a cheap spill-proof bottle for soap, olive oil, honey or whatever! I use the Mio drink enhancer to give some flavor to some of the less than tasty water I drink on the trail or just to give it some flavor.  Sure, it’s too heavy for ultra-lighter’s but […]

I bought one of the Bahco 396-LAP Laplander Folding Saw, 8-Inch Blade, 7 TPI about 6 months ago and love it!  This thing is awesome and has handled just about anything I’ve thrown at it.  It’s imported from Sweden by Snapon so you know it’s a good quality tool because they stand behind their tools one hundred percent.  […]

I have a Sawyer Filter and filling the squeeze pouches to the top can be a pain unless I find the perfect stream every time.  And as far as ponds, lakes or rivers well I can usually barely get them past half or three quarters full.  Maybe I’m missing something but I’ve found the best thing that works for me is a scoop […]

I’m always looking for better ways to carry my gear when I go backpacking so I get on the internet and start digging and exploring.   I thought I’d share my current Sawyer filter kit to give anyone else a better way to carry theirs.  Basically, anyone who has ever filled a Sawyer squeeze pouch knows that […]

I’ve had my Outdoor Research Rocky Mountain Low Gaiters for 2-3 years now and they are still going strong.  I use them mostly with my hiking shoes or in rainy weather with shoes and boots.  They really help keeping debris out of my hiking shoes because of their low height.  Now if I’m in some deep snow […]

I bought a Princeton Tec Remix LED Headlamp for dirt cheap from Sierra Trading Post during one of their major mark downs and I got one heck of a deal. I’ve had it for a few years now and it hasn’t failed me yet so I’m considering getting a spare. Right now I have the Princeton Tec Fuel […]