Ultralight vs. Traditional Backpacking—Pros and Cons of Ultralight Backpacking
Do you remember that movie, Twins, from the 80s staring Arnold Schwarzenegger and Danny Devito? The two were twins born as part of a genetic experiment, but separated at birth. That’s what I think about when I think of ultralight versus traditional backpacking; these two things that are very closely related but drastically different. So, let's talk about the pros and cons of both, but we'll look at it primarily through the lens of ultralight backpacking. And I feel like I need to
What Kind of Hiker are you? Take the Quiz
What kind of hiker are you? Some are day hikers, some are backpackers. Take the quiz to find out what kind you are? Then share it with your friends.
Crossing the Floating Bog Bridges of the Adirondacks, New York
“Be careful up ahead! I fell in on the floating bog bridges.” What did that guy just say? The FLOATING bog bridges? As we would soon find out first hand the trail between Feldspar Lean-to and Lake Arnold is prone to flooding. Scratch that…has become a permanent 5-10 foot deep swamp. Some years ago ADK trail crews attempted to build bog bridges to get hikers across. But as water continued to rise the bridges have started floating and disintegrating.
Mount Colden Summit Hike – Adirondacks New York
We heard that Lake Colden was a popular place to set up camp. And since Adirondack state park limits backcountry camping to designated spots and shelters we wanted to make sure we grabbed a spot before they were all gone
My Wife Outdoors: Garner State Park
This is one of several posts contributed by my wife. We hope for this to become a regular segment on MyLifeOutdoors. A valuable resource to women (and their husbands) who love the outdoors (or who, at least, wish to love the outdoors). This is My Wife Outdoors. Several months ago I was visiting Monahans Sandhills State Park when I picked up A Texas State Parks State Park Guide. I had rode with some friends to the park and on the way
Santa Fe Baldy and Lake Katharine – 12,622 feet – Pecos Wilderness New Mexico
This is part three of our 4 day hike in the Pecos Wilderness - New Mexico. Read Part One - Hiking to Lake Johnson. and Part Two - Lake Katharine.What is it about water we find so amazing. We are drawn to it in nature in all its forms. Low lying fog, sun shining through morning dew, a mountain stream or an alpine lake. No matter what form it takes, water fascinates us. An amazing view is made that much more amazing
Lake Katharine – Backpacking Pecos WIlderness – New Mexico
This is part two of our 4 day hike in the Pecos Wilderness - New Mexico. Read Part One - Hiking to Lake Johnson. My heart is pounding, my feet ache, and I’m starting to doubt there is a lake up here at all. We feel like we have been hiking all day and the constant incline of the trail seems as if it will never let up. But just as we begin to think we should camp for the night
10 Tips for Toddler Trail Training – My WIFE Outdoors
This is the one of several posts contributed by my wife. We hope for this to become a regular segment on MyLifeOutdoors. A valuable resource to women (and their husbands) who love the outdoors (or who, at least, wish to love the outdoors). This is My Wife Outdoors.Our youngest daughter is almost three years old and we have recently begun training her to hike on her own. We know it will be years before we can go on a hike
Gros Piton Summit Hike – St Lucia – The Caribbean
What is the hardest hike you have ever attempted? Mine was a little 2 mile day hike that I thought I would knock out in a couple of hours. Some friends and I were on the Island of St. Lucia doing some mission work. We had arranged for a friend to take us up Gros Piton early one morning.Gros Piton from the World Heritage MonumentGros Piton and its little sister Petit Ption are Caribbean land marks. Two volcanic spires jutting
My WIFE Outdoors – How One Woman Came to Love the Outdoors
This is the first of several posts contributed by my wife. As she states below, we hope for this to become a regular segment on MyLifeOutdoors. A valuable resource to women (and their husbands) who love the outdoors (or who, at least, wish to love the outdoors). This is My Wife Outdoors. The other day I was recounting my life changing experience backpacking in Glacier National Park to a coworker. I just finished telling her about our five day, nearly thirty