Looking back over gear failures and gear ‘save my arse’ memories … time to update gear kits. The same exercise completed 2 years ago, and again last year. The 3 kit gear set is based on conditions and trail type remains … Read More

Initially in 2024, I was going to continue using my old REI Flash 1 person backpacking tent. However, in planning 2024 adventures I had initially leaned into more backpacking and decided a new tent was needed for those plans (wild … Read More

This will not be a biased review. I love my Fast Kumo Fastpack and wear it exclusively on day hikes unless weather conditions are poor (wet / snowy). I would buy again, and recommend the pack highly. All images and … Read More

We’ve heard it on the TV … sometimes, you just gotta get away from the everyday routines and places. A relaxing river cruise on the Moselle, Rhine and Main rivers in Germany with short stops in Paris and Prague at start / finish hit the … Read More

While away on a tourist vacation, the Linton Creek Fire exploded in 3 Sisters Wilderness on September 8 (US FS notice). As of 9-11, the closures were wide-spread and the fire burning a beautiful area around Linton Meadows (my 2023 … Read More

Most times, if one steps back a bit and lets the trail unfold, good things happen. An earlier trip to Sisters was canceled due to bad conditions, and last year just didn’t work, so I was due to visit Sisters … Read More

Finally the weather broke a bit and a marine layer of cooler, wetter air came into the lower Willamette Valley. – not bad for an Aug 13 after so many too hot days and too many fires. I picked a … Read More

Another “Plan B” hike after fires and heat precluded Plan A without high health risk with bad air quality. Like the SE Mt Hood Ramble in July, I chose car camping at same campground all four nights (Lost Creek CG), … Read More

Yocum Ridge was a new hike for me, sort of. I had tried to hike the ridge either last year or year before but blowdowns were extreme and caught me at wrong time – I never went up to the … Read More