Puffy Jackets
One of the things I've learned over the years is to never go into the wilderness without a puffy jacket. Puffy jackets keep you warm when you're…
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Stories, experiments, and lessons from the backcountry. Browse the posts or look for a favorite place or piece of gear.
Long Term Update: Salewa Quick Screw ice screws and Climbing Technology Alpine Up belay device
Several years back, I did an initial review of the Salewa Quick Screw ice screw and the Climbing Technology Alpine Up belay device. The initial review for…
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Leki Trekking Poles: Leki Micro Vario Carbon Pole – Black Series; and Leki Carbon Titanium
For several years now, my go-to trekking poles have been the Leki Carbon Titanium poles. They've been with me on hundreds of miles of hiking trails, and…
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SCOTT PATROL E1 40 BACKPACK (Avalanche Airbag Pack)
Scott Patrol E1 40 pack in the Alta backcountry I was an early adopter of avalanche airbag packs. I've been using them for over a decade, and…
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Hydration Part 1: Insulated Water Bottles
Insulated Water Bottles Left to Right: Outdoor Research; Forty Below; Takeya; Hydro Flask; Primus; Thermos Titanium An insulated water bottle can be a great piece of equipment…
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Optics for Backpack Hunting in the Western Mountains
I hunt public lands in the Western states. I'm not a particularly skilled hunter, so I look for an edge by using my legs to travel far…
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Lightweight Tripods for Backpack Hunting
Choosing equipment for backpack hunting is difficult. Hunting is a gear-intensive activity, but carrying all of that gear into the mountains can be way too strenuous, so it…
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My Quest for the Perfect Elk Hunting Pack. The McHale Critical Mass INEX
Review of the McHale Critical Mass Backpack McHale Website I've pretty much abandoned large backpacks for backpacking and climbing. With modern, ultralight gear, I very seldom carry…
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Review of the Leica Geovid 10 x 42 HD-B EDITION 2200 Binoculars
These binoculars are marketed as the Leica Geovid 10 x 42 HD-B EDITION 2200 model. Leica's "Geovid" range of binoculars all feature integrated laser rangefinding. The "10x42" indicates…
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Review: Primary Arms 4-14x44mm First Focal Plane Rifle Scope (ACSS R-Grid Reticle)
The Primary Arms 4-14 x 44mm rifle scope is something of an anomaly. It retails for less than $300, but it has a number of features that…
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