For wilderness travel, many words have been written about the importance of bringing first aid supplies in case of emergency, or keeping your wits about you when something goes wrong. These things are obviously important. But I think the most overlooked backpacking “get out of jail card” is the ability to hike quickly. While it’s […]

I made a set of very lightweight, removable thigh straps for my Alpacka Yak, to allow for better edging and control in whitewater. These straps weigh 4.4 oz, including the glue used to attach them. 2.3 oz of that is removable for trips when they’re not needed. Adding a third attachment point would add under […]

I just finished my first Bob Marshall Wilderness Open, this year a 77 mile test of endurance across the Rockies in late May. You can read my account here. I finished with no lasting injuries, made few mistakes, and managed to surprise myself by moving faster than everyone except for Dan Durston, the almost perpetual […]