For years I used to dread hiking through rain storms because I struggled with my rain gear, layering options and camp etiquette. I often found myself exhausted, overly dehydrated and sometimes even hypothermic. It was a major weakness in my outdoor lifestyle; a weakness that I worried about when working with clients and feared when […] Read more…
If you’ve spent even mild amounts of time outside on the cold, you probably know that the first parts of your body to get cold are the hands and feet. This is actually a direct result of your body’s homeostasis kicking in. When the body starts to get cold, the brain automatically shuts off the […] Read more…
Fall is a great time to get outdoors whether you are backpacking or just going for a day hike. Fall is also a great time to carry a camera around. I wanted to throw out some tips and tricks when your ready to take off and you plan on having camera equipment along for the […] Read more…
Gear failures in the field can destroy a trip, particularly when they’re involving large items like your backpack, tent, or raingear. Whether it’s a quick weekend getaway, or a long extended expedition, torn, ripped, or otherwise damaged gear can be a tough fix in the back country. It’s always important to have a couple of […] Read more…
Last weekend, I (Jack Flannel) and my fiancée (future Mrs. Flannel) invited two of our friends to go backpacking up in Upper Peninsula and a little place called Pictured Rocks. The plan was to backpack around 25 miles in the course of 4 days. From this trip I realized many things, mostly that there is […] Read more…
You might not know it, but you share the trails with animals almost as much as with other humans. Large and small, animals will use a man-made hiking trail for its efficiency and ease. Whenever we’re out hiking, we run the risk of bumping into large animals, including bears. Most of the time, encounters are […] Read more…
After a long hiking or backpacking trip your pack might require a bit of care. Mud, dirt, rain and snow all affect the fabric and performance of technical backpacking packs, and managing the damage done from years of use is important to maintaining the integrity and strength of your backpack. Backpacks: Cleaning Cleaning your backpack […] Read more…
Whenever you’re out hiking or backpacking, your feet are the most important part of your body to take care of. Appropriate hiking footwear is the most important purchase you can make before any trip, as your feet are the mode in which you travel. Apart from making the appropriate purchase, it’s also important to ensure […] Read more…