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Finishing it up || Trip report: Wind River High Route, Loop 6

By David Eitemiller / September 26, 2016 /

A panorama from the Gannett Glacier Last summer I attempted to thru-hike the Wind River High Route with Douglas Wahl and Chris Austin, traveling north from Bruce Bridge Trailhead outside of Lander. We made it to Dinwoody Creek — the start of Section 4, which is considered the crux of the route — in four days, but an…

Long-term gear reviews: Product insights after a 100-day Appalachian Trail thru-hike

By Garrett Workman / September 26, 2016 /

Intro by Skurka. After his recent 100-day thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail, Garrett contacted me with some gear reviews, some about products I have written about previously. I thought his insights were valuable, due to his extensive use and to his unbiased viewpoint, and asked his permission to share them. If you have questions for Garrett, leave a comment.…

Trip Report: Kings Canyon High Basin Route || Loop 1: Tablelands & GWD

By David Danylewich / January 20, 2017 /

Chris Barrett, Paul Bennett, and I met on one of Andrew’s guided trips in 2015. Out of a group of eight, the three of us seemed to really hit it off. By the trip’s last day I was already lobbying for us to meet up again on one of Andrew’s trips the following year. Unfortunately,…

Six lessons learned on my first high route || Wind River High Route, Loop 4

By David Alexander / May 31, 2017 /

After taking Andrew’s Backpacking Fundamentals course in 2015, I decided to test my new skills on Loop 4 of the Wind River High Route. Prior to it, I had completed several trips on the Appalachian Trail and on the Florida Trail. The Wind River High Route promised adventure, but also freedom from fixed itineraries, designated campsites,…

Trip Report || Wind River High Route, Loop 4

By David Danylewich / January 2, 2018 /

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…

DIY || An original: The Cat Food Can Stove, by Roy “TrailDad” Robinson

By Andrew Skurka / January 11, 2018 /

Roy “TrailDad” Robinson created and popularized the Cat Food Can Stove, one of the original DIY homemade alcohol stoves. Roy was the father of Flyin’ Brian Robinson, who used this stove on his groundbreaking Calendar Triple Crown in 2001 and who still uses one today. When Roy passed away last year, the family decided to…

Comparison: Nolan’s 14 vs. Pfiffner Traverse || Wilderness, difficulty, and flow

By Samuel Chaneles / November 27, 2018 /

As part of a 650-mile, 39-day self-supported hike along Colorado’s Continental Divide last summer, Sam Chaneles completed both Nolan’s 14 and the Pfiffner Traverse. Nolan’s 14 and the Pfiffner Traverse are both high routes in the Colorado Rockies, suitable for advanced backpackers and adventurous ultra runners. While they both feature lengthy off-trail sections and alpine…

Spiderwoman’s Tips: Kings Canyon High Basin Route || Intro

By Spiderwoman / December 17, 2018 /

The following document was created in early-2018 to serve as tips for future adventurers on the Kings Canyon High Basin Route. I’ve written these Tips because while backpacking fulfills me, it also makes me angsty. If I’m out there adventuring and the only person the experience is serving is me, I get discontent and start…

Spiderwoman’s KCHBR Tips || Section 1: Tablelands

By Spiderwoman / December 17, 2018 /

Silliman Crest Bert From Belgium and I started at Lodgepole and walked up Twin Lakes Trail. But we left the trail too soon. I didn’t realize this until The Brawn and I were back in the area. Bert From Belgium and I did leave Twin Lakes Trail at a creek (although much smaller than Silliman…

Spiderwoman’s KCHBR Tips || Section 2: Great Western Divide

By Spiderwoman / December 17, 2018 /

Colby Lake “After it crosses the outlet stream of Colby Lake”, head up two switchbacks, and then “Leave the Colby Pass Trail”. Talus Creek The combination of Skurka’s descriptions from Part II: As you go, and Critical Interim Updates – v 2.5, provides an excellent description for navigating between Colby Pass Trail and Talus Creek.…