Hiking the Pacific Crest Trail, I meet a hiker from Australia near the turnoff for Mount Whitney. This hiker appears to be experiencing something bordering on an existential crisis. The origin of her plight? Whether she should detour from the PCT and hike to the summit of Mount Whitney. First,
Sawyer Squeeze vs. Platypus QuickDraw: A Detailed Comparison
The Platypus QuickDraw is the newest direct competitor to the Sawyer Squeeze - a water filter staple among backpackers and thru-hikers. They have a lot in common and may seem like carbon copies of one another at first glance. However, if you're someone who has spent as much time around lightweight
Sierra Designs Convert 2 Review
The Sierra Designs Convert 2 is a modular, two-person, four-season(ish) tent with plenty of living space for one and an acceptable amount of living space for two. It's not quite a four-season mountaineering tent, nor is it a three-season backpacking tent. That said, it's suitable for four-season
Arc’teryx Cerium LT Hoody Review
The Arc'teryx Cerium LT is a lightweight hoody weighing 10.8 oz / 305 g with 3.6 oz / 102 g of 850-fill goose down. It has a nylon shell, two zippered handwarmer pockets, and one interior chest pocket. It's not the lightest of Arc'teryx's lightweight jacket collection (that accolade goes to the
Sierra Designs Nitro Quilt 35° Review
The Sierra Designs Nitro Quilt is a 22 oz / 624 g, 800 fill power down, three-season backpacking quilt with a 37°F / 3°C comfort rating and 27°F / -3°C limit rating. If you're looking for something warmer, Sierra Designs also makes a 20°F / -6°C version of this quilt. The Nitro has a sewn footbox
Western Mountaineering AstraLite Quilt Review
The Western Mountaineering AstraLite Quilt is a 19.1 oz / 542 g, 850+ goose down, three-season backpacking quilt with a 26° F / -3° C rating. It's the warmer of the two quilts currently manufactured by Western Mountaineering, the other being the NanoLite - rated at 38° F / 3° C. The AstraLite has a
Yellow Blaze Transit – Transportation for PCT Hikers
Yellow Blaze Transit, a service started by Leland "Yeti" McKeeman to shuttle PCT hikers between Seattle, Mazama, and Winthrop, offers a solution to Pacific Crest Trail hikers beginning or finishing their hikes at the US-Canada border. Mazama and Winthrop are the two towns closest to Harts Pass
Mac’s Backpacking Gear List 2021 (v2)
After bikepacking the Arizona Trail, I've made some changes to my backpacking kit for the summer. Most notable, changes to my shelter (now using a SlingFin SplitWing) and my water filter (now using a Platypus QuickDraw). Later in the summer, I'm also hoping to try out a new quilt, some new stakes
Memorial Day Sales Guide for Thru-hikers (2021)
Memorial Day weekend is nearly upon us which means the official start to summer to some people and an annoying day to have ended up needing a post office on a thru-hike for others. It also means lots of discounts on backpacking, thru-hiking, and outdoor gear. Have some awesome plans for the