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
How to Hike the PCT Without a Bear Canister
On a recent trip to Sequoia National Park, I noticed a paper taped to the wall at the backcountry permit office. Specifically, this piece of paper. I asked the ranger, "I was under the impression you were required to have a bear canister everywhere in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, but
How to Connect the SoSHR and the SHR
The Sierra High Route and the Southern Sierra High Route are two incredible routes through California's Sierra Nevada that are each remarkable on their own. However, it is possible to connect these two routes into a single and most epic journey through the Sierra. Here's how to do it. The
How To Get Through Nepal Immigration, Quickly and Easily
Imagine you're playing a game where you need to name adjectives describing the immigration process for arriving in Nepal. You go first. Your answer? Efficient. Guess what? You lose. If you're flying into Nepal, you will be arriving at Tribhuvan International Airport, KTM, in Kathmandu (at
How To Survive A Thunderstorm: What To Do (Part 4 of 4)
So there's good news and bad news, which do you want first? Bad news? Alright. The bad news is (and I've mentioned this many times before), that there is no safe place outdoors during a thunderstorm. You cannot do anything to guarantee your safety, only things to marginally improve your
How To Survive A Thunderstorm: The Myths (Part 3 of 4)
I've already discussed the basics of thunderstorms and how to predict them, but now we'll discuss something important: the most common myths and misconceptions surrounding lightning. Unfortunately, searching the internets for information on how to correctly behave during a thunderstorm can lead
How To Survive A Thunderstorm: Prediction (Part 2 of 4)
One of the best ways to protect yourself from lightning strikes is to avoid being in a compromising position in the first place. I know this doesn't help if you're in the backcountry when you're caught in a storm, but since there is no safe place outdoors during a thunderstorm (and since there's
How To Survive A Thunderstorm: The Basics (Part 1 of 4)
Forget about bears and the boogieman, the only real thing to fear in the wild is nature's fury. Said fury can manifest itself in many ways: volcanic eruptions, flash floods, landslides, avalanches, earthquakes, wildfires, tornadoes, hurricanes, tsunamis, limnic eruptions, blizzards, and the topic
Fire Island Rocket Fuel Recipe Guide
Memorial Day weekend has come once again, and with it, hoards of booze-hungry partygoers will be hitting the beaches of Fire Island for another summer of wasted salaries, dead end relationships, and of course rocket fuel. I'm familiar with all those other things, but what is a rocket fuel? If