I’ve seen many a woman rave about hiking skirts. I admit, I at first scoffed at the idea, but for snowshoeing, or even being out in the city during a snowstorm, I learned they are a great way of braving the elements!
hiking gear for women
What Snowshoes to Buy?
Anything MSR. Now hit the trail! In reality, snowshoe shopping isn’t quite that easy–here’s the best way to determine what snowshoes to buy for use in the PNW.
2018 Holiday Gift Guide
It’s the most wonderful time of the year! No, I don’t mean winter arriving on the trails (okay, maybe a little bit), but time for Christmas and other holidays. I love Christmas–the eggnog, the decorations, and finding the perfect gift for everyone on my list. Here are my recommendations* for the outdoorsy people on your […]
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 […]
Onions (and Hikers) Have Layers
Year-round, it’s important to have layers in the Pacific Northwest for any outdoor activity, but none moreso than hiking. Weather can change drastically from morning to high noon to night, and being prepared for the elements is vital. But when do you need a midweight layer or a thermal layer? What is long underwear? And […]
Steering Wheels & Spare Tires: What You Really Should Have On the Trail
A quick dive into any hiking post on facebook or advice given will likely mention “The Ten Essentials.” These are ten items any hiker should have when doing any hike, no matter ease or distance. But do I really need to bring an emergency shelter with me for a three mile hike?!
Wandern with Deuter: My Overnight Pack
With my first time backpacking, I had a choice: rent or borrow a pack that may or may not fit me well, or buy one that REI fitted to me with the option to return if I hated backpacking. It seemed like an easy choice!
Backpack, backpack
Choosing a hiking pack is like choosing a car. In car shopping, safety is likely a huge factor–in pack shopping, fit is more important than anything. One problem with being a somewhat-more-casual hiker is that I don’t have the need to be trying new gear out constantly–I buy quality stuff and use it gently, so my […]