In the second installment of the 2020 Continental Divide Trail Hiker Survey, we'll take a look at the hikers who were actually on the trail this year. Normally, this information is covered in the initial survey publication, but because of many hikers choosing to cancel their hikes due to COVID-19, I
SPOT Gen3 Satellite GPS Messenger Review
The SPOT Gen3 Satellite GPS Messenger is a satellite messenger (not a personal locator beacon, PLB) intended for tracking, communication, and calling emergency services. It weighs 4 oz / 114g (this includes the required 4 AAA batteries) and uses GEOS satellite technology (more on this below). SPOT
Sawyer Micro Squeeze Water Filter Review
The Sawyer Micro Squeeze is a 2 oz / 57 g hollow-fiber membrane water filter that removes bacteria and protozoa from water. It's a common choice of water treatment for hikers on the Pacific Crest Trail and the Continental Divide Trail and is worth considering for shorter backpacking trips as well
Merrell Moab 2 Ventilator Low Hiking Shoes Review
Note: The Merrell Moab 2 Ventilator has been replaced by the Merrell Moab 3 The Merrell Moab 2 Ventilator is a ventilated hiking shoe made with leather, mesh, and a Vibram sole. They're not quite the trail runners that you find many long-distance hikers wearing, but they're also not quite boots.
Sawyer Squeeze Water Filter Review
The Sawyer Squeeze is a 3 oz / 85 g hollow-fiber membrane water filter that removes bacteria and protozoa from water. It's become the default water treatment system for hikers on the Pacific Crest Trail and the Continental Divide Trail and is definitely worth being considered for your backpacking
The Continental Divide Trail Gear Guide: Class of 2019 Survey
In the second chapter of the Continental Divide Trail Thru-hiker Survey, we take a deep dive into Continental Divide Trail hikers' gear. CDT gear lists can vary wildly between hikers and (spoiler alert) it's impossible to find a perfect CDT gear list. That said, we can try. I've organized this
The Continental Divide Trail Thru-Hiker Survey (2019)
Welcome to the results of the 2019 Continental Divide Trail Thru-hiker Survey! The CDT Survey is now in its third year and I would like to extend a huge THANK YOU to everyone who took the time to participate. You're all champions of life. And thank you, dear reader, for being patient while
Sea to Summit Ultralight Air Sleeping Mat Review
The Sea to Summit Ultralight Air Sleeping Mat is the second lightest sleeping pad made by Sea to Summit (the lightest being the Ether Light XT Air Sleeping Mat). It uses Sea to Summit's Air Sprung Cell technology (basically an egg carton layout of air pockets) which I find to be quite