Island Peak (Imja Tse) is technically classified as a “trekking peak”, but it requires much more gear than what you would expect from your typical “trek”. Why? Because you have to climb, not walk, to the summit of the 20,305 ft / 6,189 m peak. First things first, I paid 90,000 NPR (~$900 US) for […]
Mac’s Backpacking Gear List 2018 (v2.0)
We’re not even halfway into the year and I’m already making some dramatic additions to my current gear outfit. I’ve got my first non-freestanding shelter (Hyperlite Mountain Gear Ultamid 2), my first bivy (Enlightened Equipment Recon), and my first quilt (Enlightened Equipment Revelation). Although the pre-PCT version of myself (who had never before been overnight […]
Katadyn BeFree Water Filter Review
When I first started using the Katadyn BeFree I thought to myself, “By the beard of Zeus! This thing is absolutely amazing. I can’t understand how it hasn’t already driven all other lightweight water filters out of business. What was I doing not using this thing before?” However, after a month of use, my enthusiasm […]
Bluffworks Meridian Dress Shirt Review
The Bluffworks Meridian Dress Shirt appeared an unlikely candidate for someone like me, but after months of wear it has cemented itself in my pack as my (professional) hiking (and traveling) shirt of choice. I gave the Meridian a chance because I am such a big fan of Bluffwork’s other products (their original pants, chinos, […]
SANDMARC Pole (Compact Edition) & Carbon Grip Review
The SANDMARC Pole (Compact Edition) and the SANDMARC Carbon Grip are GoPro accessories that make taking pictures of myself (and of other things) a little bit easier. I know, an “action cam pole” is really just a fancy name for a selfie stick, but to be honest, sometimes it comes in handy – especially since […]
Mac’s Backpacking Gear List 2018 (v1.0)
It’s a new year which means it’s time for another arbitrary reason to do some swapping and upgrading of my backpacking gear outfit. I’ve been in New Zealand for nearly four months now (one more to go) and I’ve changed, added, or upgraded enough of my backpacking gear since my final Continental Divide Trail gear […]
Big Agnes Copper Spur 2 Platinum Tent Review
The Big Agnes Copper Spur 2 Platinum is a lightweight, freestanding, two-person backpacking tent that’s for anyone willing to spend $600 on their miniature house for the outdoors (or as I like to call it, my palace). I got this tent just before my Continental Divide Trail thru-hike and have spent many happy nights inside […]
The 2017 Adventure Travel Gift Guide
Although I spend a lot of time outside of cities, it is inevitable that I find myself in large populated places. As much as I would like to imagine otherwise, the gear I have with me on a day-to-day basis when traveling is not the same gear as I have on, for example, a thru-hike […]
LifeStraw Water Filter Review
The LifeStraw is an inexpensive, easy-to-use, hollow-fiber water filter that is marketed as “ideal for hiking, backpacking, camping, travel, and emergency preparedness.” After using a LifeStraw on the Continental Divide Trail, I can certainly see what makes it an attractive option to some people, but I can’t say that it’s for everyone. The LifeStraw does […]
The 2017 Thru-hiker Gift Guide
It would appear that we’re going to make it through another year, and it’s fast approaching the months when people begin thinking about how to best change their currency into gifts for others (or themselves). Since many thru-hikers pride themselves on being minimalists, they can be difficult people to buy gifts for. Sure, they’ll graciously […]
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