stg-sectionhikercom-buttons.kinsta.cloud Backpacking Gear Reviews and FAQs

I went for the meteors, but stayed through the clouds and the cold. Somehow I loved the experience anyway and want to do it again. I hadn’t seen a meteor shower recently and really wanted to see the 2012 Geminids, which were supposed to be spectacular. There was a new moon so the sky would be extra dark and a …

Every year, I like to recognize the piece of new gear that has had the greatest influence on my enjoyment of backpacking. This year’s winner is the Therm-a-Rest Alpine 35 Blanket (click for my review), a down quilt which I started using this May and have used on almost every overnight trip since. Last year I was on the fence about …

My right foot is about a half size larger than my left foot. This occasionally causes me problems when sizing winter hiking boots or trail shoes, so I go to great lengths to find shoes that fit right and stockpile multiple pairs, since shoe manufacturers keep changing their shoe models.  Still, I am lucky that  my feet only differ by …

History’s Lessons for Today’s World I love the history behind the Appalachian Trail and how it came into being. It’s amazing how an army of volunteers and organizers coalesced behind Benton Mackaye’s original vision for the Appalachian Trail and established a trail that runs within easy reach of the urban areas of the eastern United States. Although the trail has changed …