Washing a down sleeping bag (and other down gear) doesn't have to be scary and doesn't have to destroy your gear. Quite the opposite - it will likely extend the life of your gear so long as you take steps to ensure you're washing your down gear correctly. There are a couple of methods available
17 Must-Have Items for Rafting the Grand Canyon
After winning a Grand Canyon rafting permit, I quickly started looking into what gear from the ultralight backpacking world would translate into the river world and what gear I would need to buy and/or replace. It turns out that the gear required for a river trip differs dramatically from the gear
Royal Arch Loop – The Ultimate Backpacking Guide
The Royal Arch Loop is a 32-mi / 51.5-km loop hike beginning at South Bass Trailhead in Grand Canyon National Park. The hike can be completed clockwise or counterclockwise, but it's most commonly completed clockwise due to a short section near the Colorado River requiring either a small climb
(Un)Popular Opinion: Trail Angels, Stop Asking Hikers for Money
After my tirade calling out thru-hikers who hike with zero money, I thought it appropriate to examine another money-adjacent aspect of the thru-hiking world, trail angels. If you're unfamiliar with the concept of trail angels, they're basically people who help hikers during their thru-hikes. A
I Got a Grand Canyon River Permit – Now What?
At the end of 2019, I found myself in Tennessee visiting with friends from the Continental Divide Trail. They had just returned from a 23-day rafting trip through the Grand Canyon on the Colorado River; their stoke level at an all-time high. "It was incredible. You have to get out there. It takes
Hiiker – How to Find Your Next Adventure
Hiiker is an app designed by members of the outdoor community to help users discover, plan, and navigate their outdoor adventures. The app has a growing database with thousands of trails from across the globe (including over 600 in the United States). The app has everything from day hikes and
Patagonia Baggies Shorts Review
The Patagonia Baggies are a lightweight pair of shorts that can be used casually, hiking, biking, water sporting, or really anything that doesn't require any specific legwear. The Baggies are available in a 5" and 7" inseam, but there's also a 2.5" version for women and children's versions as well.
(Un)Popular Opinion: Stop Thru-Hiking with Zero Money
Carrying a backpack through the wilderness for thousands of miles for what could be as long as six months may not sound like an activity that demands much financial support, but thru-hiking is not as inexpensive an endeavor as you may imagine. According to the Pacific Crest Trail Survey, thru-hikers
NOW OPEN: The 2021 Continental Divide Trail Hiker Survey
The 2021 Continental Divide Trail Hiker Survey is now open for responses - fill it out here! If you hiked the Continental Divide Trail this year (2021), as a thru-hiker or section hiker, this survey is for you. It doesn't matter whether you completed the entire CDT (i.e. if you got off early or