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Prior to my big races last year — Boston, Bighorn, and UTMB — I interviewed David Roche, who has coached me for 12+ months now. They were opportunities to discuss the rationale behind each training block and to reflect on the results they generated, with the hope of providing readers with some value. Read the…
Twice per year I attend the Outdoor Retailer tradeshow, where I’m told about dozens of products that are the best thing since sliced bread and where I’m bombarded with increasingly stretched marketing hype to match these supposed earth-shattering advances. When I first heard about the Nike Zoom VaporFly 4% road racing shoes, I applied this same…
Wait times and backordered products are unfortunate but common in manufacturing, whether it be for a Tesla Model 3 or a Mountain Laurel Designs SoloMid. This page is designed to aggregate information about these delays, so that backpackers can: Time their orders accordingly; and, Find in-stock brands and products easily, in the event that their…
After a year off in 2016, I resurrected my guiding program last year, ultimately offering six 5-day Backpacking Adventure trips in Sequoia-Kings Canyon National Park. Originally, I had planned to guide just three sessions with Flyin’ Brian Robinson. But for the 24 spots I received 52 applications, many from alumni. So I doubled the schedule and flew out…
A question from reader, Scott F: To this specific question, my answer is: I don’t know for sure, but it should. I don’t own a Bearikade so I have not tested its compatibility, and I don’t recall any guided clients last year with both a Flex and a Bearikade. However, I know that the BearVault 500…
Trip Data Dates: Tuesday, August 29th to Saturday, September 2nd, 2017 Route: Wind River High Route, Loop 4 Weather: Temperature 60’s to 70’s, rained only one day, otherwise sunny and pleasant Distance: 43 miles Time: 4.5 days Trailhead: Elkhart Park Passes: Angel Pass, Douglas Lake Pass, Alpine Lakes Pass, Indian Pass Background Chris Barrett, Paul…
I first met Ken Oelkers in March 2005, seven months into the Sea-to-Sea Route. His beloved Superior Hiking Trail was buried under feet of snow, and he understandably was looking for an excuse to keep him out of the house and close to the trail after a long winter in Silver Bay, Minnesota, a small blue-collar…
I am looking for one additional person to help guide my 2018 trips. Employment will be short-term and seasonal: probably 11 days total in July or September, in either Colorado or California. You will work with other world-class backpacking guides, including Alan Dixon, Flyin’ Brian Robinson, Mike Clelland. Necessary qualifications Please apply only if you have:…
The Showa 281 Glove is an inexpensive (less than $15), lightweight (sub-2 oz), and somewhat breathable shell made of waterproof/windproof polyurethane. Its exterior is textured and very abrasion-resistant. It is the unlined version of the Showa 282 Gloves, about which I have written a more in-depth review. Online availability of the 281 is limited. I purchased…
The My Trail Company Chrome Umbrella is an alternative to conventional rain gear. It’s lighter, more waterproof, and more comfortable in warmer temperatures. Wind, off-trail travel, and poorly maintained trails are a challenge for it, however. Read more pros & cons of backpacking umbrellas. I am giving away one new Chrome Umbrella, which was given…