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
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
Backpacking Gear List (Fall 2016)
The fall is a great time for backpacking - cooler temperatures ward off both crowds and bugs, making the mountains a much more enjoyable place. Sure, you may get yourself caught in the occasional hail or snow storm, but that's just part of the excitement of shoulder season hiking. Here is an
Backpacking Gear List (Summer 2016)
Once again, I have altered the format of this list to make for (what I think is) easier readability. ORANGE denotes a new item and strikethroughs indicate things that I have dropped from the previous list. Below the initial list you will find detailed descriptions of each item, including weights,
Backpacking Gear List (Spring 2016)
I've finally sorted my spring gear list after a winter hiking in Nepal (for that gear list, check here), and I am happy to share with you the tweaks and upgrades I've made for the season and year ahead. This time around I changed up the formatting a bit for easier readability (at least I think
Mac’s Backpacking Gear List (Fall 2015)
I've decided to continually update on my gear outfit since I have found it changing a bit over the summer. I've highlighted in orange items that have changed since my last update, and any items that I have completely dropped from my pack are noted like this. Before the photos, pros/cons,
Mac’s Backpacking Gear List (Summer 2015)
I've been asked a lot about what it is I have in my pack since my gear from the Pacific Crest Trail or Everest Base Camp isn't necessarily up-to-date or applicable to my current setting (yes, sadly the -20°F/-29°C sleeping bag has been shelved until winter).First, I've simply listed everything, and