If you camp or backpack, chances are you’ll need a sleeping bag. If you start camping and backpacking more often, upgrading your sleeping bag can go a long ways for helping you hit the trail refreshed. But how does one pick a sleeping bag?
Gear n’ Beer
Dru Bru
Similar to Mason Lake, I have attempted or meant to go to Dru Bru many times before, but was thwarted. However, Beers at the Bottom recommended it as their pairing brewery to go with Mason Lake, in their book Beer Hiking the Pacific Northwest, so I felt that if Mason Lake happened, Dru Bru was […]
Water Water Everywhere
When backpacking, as I mentioned before, you *can* bring all of your water with you, but that can be very heavy. It’s far easier to get water on the trail. While some may think filtering or purifying water isn’t necessary, that’s a gamble I would only make in a life-or-death instance. But with so many […]
Inside My Tent: My Sleeping Set-Up
Whether backpacking or car camping, typically I’m going to be so zonked from hiking that I’ll sleep deeply. But a comfortable sleeping set-up makes all the difference in being bright-eyed and bushy-tailed in the morning, or an evil swamp witch. Here’s how I have my tent prepared for a good night’s sleep.
Haywire Brewing Co.
If you’re able to make it out of the maze that is Lord Hill Park, your reward is less than two miles away–a brewery with delicious beer, friendly staff, and an idyllic setting without looking like Pinterest threw up. Welcome to Haywire Brewing Co.!
Breweries in the Gorge
Just like Meriwether Lewis and William Clark, you too can blaze a trail along the Columbia River Gorge–an ale trail!
Ice Scrapers & Heated Seats –My Winter Hiking Gear
As I said before, looking at a list of ‘essentials you should have every time’ and actually bringing those items is something not everyone does. But some equipment you really need when hiking, while some can just really improve your experience–like how you need an ice scraper in your car in the winter but are super […]
Snow Pack: Deuter Futura 30 SL
As mentioned previously, I was torn by two amazing deals on REI’s website. I couldn’t decide, so I bought both to test out. Having looked at the Gregory Maya first, I felt at times this pack was the polar opposite, in both good and bad ways. Pretty much every pro–and con–of one pack was mirrored […]
Cirque Training
Be bold, start cold. That was hammered into my mind my first time snowshoeing. You’re going to be moving so much that quickly, you’ll be warm enough to not need a billion thermal layers. However, if snow is falling or calf-deep, it’s still nice to have waterproof pants. But how do you strike a balance […]
Snow Pack: Gregory Maya 32
For winter hiking, you need to bring more layers (and more food!) compared to a summer hike. I’m an over-preparer and in addition to an extra jacket, I like to have an extra hat, gloves, and socks as well. There’s no way my 18L hydration daypack would hold all of that–it’s recommended to have a […]