In my Hiking Lady Essential Gear Reviews I put to the test various backpacks, water bottles, trekking poles, tents and more! I know how to beat up gear, and as I go on hiking adventures I test gear! When stuff is great, I let you know, and when it is bad, I also let you know!
I was happily surprised when a package of Tram Bars arrived in the mail last Thursday, just in time for my mountain adventure in the Sierra Nevadas. I stashed them in my pack and decided to try them out on Saturday during my lunch at Long Lake, along the Bishop Creek Trail. TramBars are the …
Pelican, the manufacturer of very reliable waterproof cases and flashlights, has a new headlamp called the Pelican HeadsUP Lite 2610 LED! I use their waterproof and submersible flashlights when I’m on the trail, and now for the first time I field tested the Pelican HeadsUp headlamp. Features I really like: Bright. The HeadsUp definitely holds …
CamelBak has completely redesigned their women’s Aventura hiking backpack, and I got to try it out! Turquoise is one of my favorite colors, so I may have been initially biased toward liking the new Aventura backpack… but as you know my reviews are always unbiased. So without letting the color influence me… Is the CamelBak …
I have been an avid user of USGS and Tom Harrison maps for awhile. At the Outdoor Retailer tradeshow this year, I was introduced to the new National Geographic Trails Illustrated Explorer software. How did the National Geographic maps stack up on my recent trip to Garnet Lake in California’s Sierra Nevadas? I’ll explore that …
At the Summer 2010 Outdoor Retailer Show, Easton Mountain Products introduced an innovative product that I think will likely be a favorite of serious backpackers. Easton has developed a highly durable, yet ultra light tent called the Easton Kilo. Yes, it weighs under a “kilo”gram (910 grams to be exact; just over 2 pounds!) This …
CamelBak is about to release a new version of their famous, and now ubiquitous hydration reservoir. The new CamelBak Antidote is expected to hit the market Fall 2010, and offers several upgrades to the CamelBak Omega reservoirs that I have been happily using for years. How does the Antidote stack up? I just got a …
Besides hiking, I’ve also been doing some rock climbing recently. It is an exhilarating sport that definitely challenges my mind and body! I’m hoping that it will help me overcome my fear of heights 🙂 In addition to a good pair of climbing shoes, the other essential equipment is a chalk bag. Climbers use chalk …
Pelican has released a new lightweight, high powered flashlight – the NEMO 1960 LED! It is a more advanced version of my trusty MityLite 1900 flashlight. When I’m out on the trail, I always have a flashlight or headlamp with me, and sometimes both. Both the Pelican MityLite and the NEMO are submersible flashlights, so …
The SteriPEN Adventurer Opti is the newest in the lineup of SteriPEN UV water treatment products. I have been using my SteriPEN Classic on every backpacking adventure since I first got it a few years ago, and absolutely love it. (Check out my review of my SteriPEN Classic and my article Hiking 101: Water Treatment …
The Steripen is one of the coolest inventions I’ve ever come across. As you all know, I am an avid hiker, backpacker, and all around adventurer. I love to be outside, and of course I need to stay hydrated and avoid all of the horrible illness associated with contaminated water. Therefore, I ALWAYS treat water …