News
Some end-of-the-year holiday-related travels helped me to surpass the “points” thresholds for two Southwest Airlines loyalty programs: A-List Status gives me Priority Boarding, among other small perks. This will ensure that I get a window seat, unobstructed by a wing, and on the opposite side of the sun. I’m in the same camp as Marc Reisner, author…
This website was re-launched in early-January, in advance of the release of The Ultimate Hiker’s Gear Guide in late-February. Its front-end and back-end were both greatly improved: new layout, improved navigation, blog, social interactivity, and professional online store, all managed with a slick Wordpress content management system. I hope visitors have appreciated the new website, and…
The story of Ultimate Direction‘s recent and anticipated success, centered mostly around its Signature Series running vests, interests me on a number of levels. It’s good for runners, of which I’m one; and it’s good, too, for UD’s brand manager Buzz Burrell, a longtime friend and mentor, as well as the runners involved in the…
Last Wednesday, the day before Thanksgiving, I took a bad fall while running down the steep West Ridge of Bear Peak, the 8,461-ft summit of which sits 65 minutes and 3,100 feet above my house in Boulder. A foot must have tangled with a rock, root, or another foot, and I went skidding down a…
I have finalized my speaking, guiding, play, and recovery schedule for 2013, and I’m ready to begin scheduling events. I’m currently seeking organizations and venues that are interested in hosting an entertaining and thoughtful slideshow about my Alaska-Yukon Expedition and/or an informative clinic on backpacking gear, supplies, and skills that is modeled after my book,…
In the June 2012 issue of Geographical, the official magazine of the Royal Geographical Society (IBG), I wrote about the gear I used on my Alaska-Yukon Expedition. But the article is not a colorless evaluation — the model for this “Essential Gear” series is to embed a discussion about gear within a story narrative, which makes…
I closed on a new home in south Boulder last Friday. And this past weekend, Amanda and I — with the help of her sister Jill, brother-in-law Brian, and two hired hands — moved in. We love it, as does Amanda’s cat, Oden, who has 3x more space and a small backyard to now explore.…
I am looking for two intermediate-level backpackers to join me on a 2-day/1-night Advanced Navigation Course in Rocky Mountain National Park, Thursday-Friday August 9-10. The primary focus of this trip is very narrow: navigation. Navigation is one of the most valuable skills that a backpacker can learn, as it allows you to safely and confidently…
Update (June 26, 5:15pm). The Yosemite C trip is now full. The only 2012 trip with open spots is in Michigan’s Porcupine Mountains (4 hrs from Minneapolis) over Labor Day Weekend. If you would like to be notified when registration for 2013 trips is opened, please submit your information. I am looking for one person…
Update, 11:10am MT. I have received a lot of inquiries about this project and I’m confident that within the pile we will find a suitable fill-in. If you have not contacted me, please don’t — I’m overwhelmed by those who have contacted me already…thanks for understanding. Also, thanks to everyone who passed along this post…