This PackTowel Personal Towel review is based on my use with the ‘hand’ sized towel. See my weight & specs section below for other PackTowel Personal Towel sizes. The PackTowel Personal Towel is a great addition to both your day hiking pack and your backpacking pack, as well as your general camping gear. Even the size I use – the …
What’s Up With the Gregory Zulu 30 Pack – Review
In this Gregory Zulu 30 pack review, I’ll walk you through the details of this comfortable, versatile day pack, that can be used just as well on hot, arid So Cal trails, as it can in the Sierra Nevada mountains owning vast changes in altitude, temperature, and weather. I’ve been through both and more with this pack, but lets get …
What’s Up With the Jetboil MiniMo – Review
Welcome to the Jetboil MiniMo backpacking stove review! The Jetboil MiniMo backpacking stove kit offers super efficient fuel usage, that can minimize your fuel canister weight and pack burden. It’s wide mouth cup, and ability to simmer, and – if you’re careful – saute, allow for more cooking versatility than just simple water boiling. The cost is on the premium …
What’s Up With the Sea To Summit Pocket Shower – Review
In this Sea To Summit Pocket Shower review, I’ll explain how to use this shower, the product details, and my personal experience with it, over a few camping seasons, and in the backyard over the summer. Having a nice shower at camp, or in the wilderness, can have a significant positive impact in your attitude and relationship with nature. And …
What to Take on a Day Hike in Yosemite
What do you take on a day hike in Yosemite? I hiked a couple bucket list trails in Yosemite last week, so I’ll go through what I packed and why in this article. Why do you need the right gear? Comfort. The difference between you experiencing the Yosemite wilderness as either a viscerally profound, almost naturally spiritual place, or a …
Yosemite Cedar Lodge Review (El Portal, CA)
In this review of the Yosemite Cedar Lodge, in El Portal, CA, I’ll go over my experience staying there in June of 2023, and also compare it to my previous stays in Yosemite West. Yosemite Cedar Lodge is located on California Highway 140. It’s address is 9966 CA-140, El Portal CA, 95318. Yosemite Cedar Lodge is part of the Yosemite …
Yosemite Mist Trail – What to Know (2023)
The Yosemite Mist Trail is one of those National Parks bucket list hikes every serious hiking enthusiast has either done, or thinks about doing. I recently did this hike (3rd week in June 2023), so I’ll share some tips and tricks on getting you from Happy Isles to the top of Nevada Falls. What is unique about hiking this trail …
Friction Coefficient of Hiking Shoes
The friction coefficient of hiking shoes varies by model, and by wear, i.e. miles spend on the trail. In this article I’ll show you my method for comparing the friction coefficient of my favorite hiking and shoes: the Salomon X Ultra GTX line of shoes, the Merrel Moab waterproof line, and my Keen Newport H2’s. Perhaps at some point REI …
Zoleo Satellite Communicator Review
Welcome to my Zoleo Satellite Communicator Review! In 2016, legendary thru-hiker, Stephen “Otter” Olshansky died on the Continental Divide Trail, after getting snowed in while likely suffering from influenza, just 12 miles from the public road from where he was dropped off, near the Colorado/New Mexico border. He had hiked the CDT, and as well the AT, and PCT multiple …
Zoleo Plans Explained (by a Zoleo user)
When you’re trying to figure out which satellite communication device to purchase, for off grid adventures away from cell service, it’s often a bit cumbersome to figure out each options’ capabilities. This article will go through the different Zoleo plans available as well as add-ons beyond their basic components. That way, you’ll be better equipped to compare and contrast the …