Sleeping well in the backcountry is crucial; you don’t want to wake up sore and tired after a restless night. Of course, this is often easier said than done. Unfamiliar surroundings, chilly temperatures, creepy noises and your own imagination may team up to keep you from getting your beauty rest. One thing you can control…
Tag: Backpacking
Top Utah Outdoor Adventures of 2012
Choosing the top outdoor adventures of the year is a difficult task to do here in Utah. Our state is so full of amazing scenery and recreation opportunities that it’s near impossible to whittle all the trips you took in a 12-month period down to 5. But myself and Ryan Malavolta went back into the…
Backpacking 101: Choose Your Bag
It’s a perfect day on the trail: blue skies with warm temperatures, and not a cloud in the sky. You’re hammering out the miles; only three more until you hit camp for the night. Your shoulders feel good, your feet don’t ache and your back is not a sweaty, uncomfortable mess. Everything you need is…
Backpacking 101: Getting Started
Backpacking is awesome. There might be no finer way to truly experience the great outdoors: exploring remote areas, observing wildlife, and the unmatched solitude of a far away campsite are just some of the rewards awaiting you in the backcountry. There is also something to be said for the feeling of self reliance that comes…
Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite mattress and Jembe Seat review
Therm-a-Rest has long been associated with comfy backcountry camping. With an array of sleep systems and seating in their lineup, the question is “what’s next?” The answer is obvious: smaller and lighter. Backpackers are always seeking to reduce weight, and Therm-a-Rest has answered that demand by releasing the NeoAir XLite sleeping pad. This pad is…
Kelty Rally 45 Backpack review
I had a chance to visit the Kelty booth at last summer’s Outdoor Retailer convention here in Salt Lake City. They were showcasing a wide array of products, but the ones that excited me the most were the brand-new “Agile Series” backpacks. Needless to say I was very happy when the Kelty Rally 45 arrived…
Hike to Red Castle in the High Uintas Wilderness
The North Slope of the High Uintas Wilderness is a region of exquisite alpine splendor. The highest peaks in Utah rise up jaggedly against a wide open sky. Miles of well maintained trails allow hikers to wind their way through meadows, spruce and pine forests, and hundreds of scenic lakes filled with fresh water and…
Platypus Gravityworks Water System review
Staying hydrated is paramount in the backcountry. Carrying extra water for drinking and cooking is a fool’s errand (except when there is no other choice). Boiling your water works, but I prefer mine cold, thank you. Purifying pills do the job, keep the water cold and require no effort, but man do they taste bad….
Backpacking to Duck Lake in the Uinta Mountains
One of the the great natural treasures of Utah is the Uinta Mountains. Hundreds of miles of trails deliver unmatched high alpine scenery; towering peaks, picturesque lakes and thriving forests are just a few examples of what awaits hikers in the Uintas. Backpacking is a very popular activity in these mountains, and if you’re looking…
Easton Mountain Products Vo2 Racing Showshoes at Outdoor Retailer
One of the first products I saw at this year’s Outdoor Retailer Winter Market was also one of the coolest. At the Easton Mountain Products booth, a bunch of snowshoes were on display that were lousy with innovative and advanced features. But the show stopper was the Vo2 Racing Snowshoes. On the surface, the Easton…