-
Desert Trout
Fly fishing in Utah can be a unique experience. Much of the state is arid desert, with lots of sand, sandstone, and sagebrush. With extremely hot summer temperatures, and barren surroundings, these desert regions wouldn’t seem like a good place to go fishing. However, a combination of cold mountain snow-melt and cold water springs can […]
-
Michael D. Clark (South Creek) Bamboo Fly Rod
Michael D. Clark (South Creek Ltd.) 8 foot, 5 weight, 3 piece, 2 tip, Ruby taper “Uinta” South Creek web site. I love bamboo fly rods. I have a web page devoted to that infatuation HERE. Over the last decade, I’ve collected and fished a number of bamboo fly rods. This rod represents the culmination […]
-
Hyperlite Mountain Gear Echo II Shelter
1 pound, 12.5 ounces (tarp, inner tent, beak, and stuff sack.) 5.5 ounces (12 aluminum stakes and small stuff sack.) Total packed weight of full tent with 12 stakes: 34 ounces (2 pounds, 2 ounces) The Echo II from Hyperlite Mountain Gear is my latest backcountry shelter. It’s a hybrid tarp/tent made mostly from lighweight […]
-
Backcountry Fishing Kit
I love backcountry fly fishing. When I’m fishing the backcountry, I typically have to do a fair amount of hiking to get to the waters I’m going to fish. Weight and space are at a premium. Many roadside fishermen carry a lot of fishing paraphernalia; enough to fill a fishing vest. If you’re fishing close to […]
-
Knives and other cutting tools
A knife has got to be one of the first tools that early man created. When you’re in the wilderness, you often have the need to cut things, and having a knife along can be pretty handy. Because knives are so useful, it’s no surprise that primitive people worked on making knives from flint, […]
-
Overloaded on the Uinta Highline Trail
I just got back from the Uinta Highline Trail. This trail follows the spine of Utah’s Uinta Wilderness Area. It traverses about 70 miles, and requires a bit over 15,000 feet of vertical gain (and corresponding vertical loss.) The route pretty much stays above 10,000 feet altitude, with multiple 12,000+ foot passes. Scenery […]
-
Patagonia River Crampons
It’s been a while since I have reviewed any fly fishing gear. This isn’t because I haven’t been fishing (I fish a couple times a week when conditions are good,) but rather because I haven’t bought any fishing gear in a long time. I’ve been pretty happy with the gear I’ve been using. However, […]
-
“Overlanding” (Car Camping) in Utah’s Canyon Country and Deserts
I used to be a backpacking snob. I felt that backpackers that explore the wilderness walking around on their own two feet, carrying everything on their back were morally superior to folks who drove into the backcountry in a vehicle. However, after spending a fair amount of time in Utah’s deserts and canyons, I’ve become […]
-
Lightweight Backpacking with Boy Scouts
I have been a scoutmaster or assistant scoutmaster for 23 of the last 25 years. I have been involved with boy scout troops in New York, Colorado, and Utah. I’ve had inner-city scouts, suburban scouts, scouts from poor families, and scouts from wealthy families. Throughout all of my scouting experiences, I have learned that a […]
-
Mammut Smart Alpine Belay/Rappel Device
Mammut Smart Alpine Belay/Rappel Device 4.4 ounces I’ve been using the Mammut Smart Alpine device for several months now. It has become my favorite belay/rappel device. Its primary defining feature is that it is an autoblocking device, much like the well-known Gri Gri. It isn’t guaranteed to hold a fall without help from the […]