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Six reasons you should backpack with me

By Andrew Skurka / February 28, 2012 /
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I’ve spent most of the Winter staring at Gmail and Excel, and making hundreds of calls to prospective venues and land managers, so I’m delighted that my main initiatives for the year are all coming on line right now. Last week, The Ultimate Hiker’s Gear Guide was finally released. Next week in northern California, I…

Objectives in writing The Ultimate Hiker’s Gear Guide

By Andrew Skurka / February 21, 2012 /
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My first book, The Ultimate Hiker’s Guide, is officially released today. If you pre-ordered a signed copy directly from me, thank you, and you will be getting it shortly—I shipped an Amazon.com-worthy quantity of orders last week. It has been both exciting and interesting to read feedback from early reviewers, like Kraig Becker at The…

Buzz Burrell: on running, work, aging, and life

By Andrew Skurka / February 7, 2012 /
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Buzz Burrell is a legend within trail running, climbing, canyoneering, and fastpacking circles, known for his creative outdoor endeavors that require equal parts endurance, speed, technical skills, and mental investment. Case in point: his Zion Trifecta, during which he and partner Jared Campbell completed the three biggest, deepest, baddest canyons in Zion National Park (Imlay,…

Need graphic designer for event marketing materials

By Andrew Skurka / January 31, 2012 /
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[Update, February 1, 2012. I have found a group to develop what I need. Thanks for your interest in this project. If I have future graphic design needs, I will probably post something here again. This proved pretty effective in finding good help.] I need a graphic designer to produce marketing materials for my Spring…

Food planning for multi-day backpacking trips and thru-hikes

By Andrew Skurka / January 31, 2012 /
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I plan for a trip in two stages: 1. The theory. On my computer, I develop, refine, and perfect every aspect of the trip, notably my gear, supplies, route, and logistics. To do so, I rely heavily on applications like Excel, Word, National Geographic TOPO!, and Google Maps. 2. The tangible. I obtain everything that…

Spring ’12 lectures & clinics: Help give me a nudge!

By Andrew Skurka / January 27, 2012 /
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For the last two weeks I’ve been pounding the phone trying to schedule presentations and book signings for this Spring. I’m excited that confirmations are really starting to come through, as seen by the list at the bottom of this post. But first, some events need a “nudge.” And you can help. The venues below…

Creating and printing a custom mapset with TOPO!

By Andrew Skurka / January 24, 2012 /
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Are you planning a trip that is not addressed specifically and perfectly by an existing guidebook or mapset? Then you should learn to use TOPO!. Among this program’s shortcomings is the inability to export and print multi-page custom mapsets, so in this post I’ll explain an alternative and efficient technique.

My sock systems for backpacking in 3-season conditions

By Andrew Skurka / January 17, 2012 /
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In normal 3-season conditions, I carry just two pairs of socks on my backpacking trips. In wet climates I carry a “daytime” pair and a “sleeping” pair, whereas in dry climates I carry two “daytime” pairs. But there’s slightly more to it than that. This is the first of what I hope will become a…

Interview: Bob Skurka

By Andrew Skurka / January 14, 2012 /
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Those who have seen one of my presentations or who have read trip reports know that I depend heavily on my parents for logistical and emotional support. They might also be my two biggest fans. This interview was an opportunity for my dad to better share his thoughts and feelings. Also, read the interview with…

How I Make a Living as a Professional Adventurer

By Andrew Skurka / January 10, 2012 /
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When I began long-distance backpacking, I never thought it would eventually become my occupation. To the contrary, I was simply drawn to the idea of hiking from Georgia to Maine—that, somehow, an effort on that scale probably was an experience worth having. My motivations for taking on the Alaska-Yukon Expedition, my most recent adventure, were very…