Want to know which backpacks are the most comfortable on the trail? Or which hiking boots are my favorites? Or the best stroller to use to take your baby on dirt paths?
In the Hiking Lady, Hiking Baby, and Hiking Kids reviews, I put to the test all sorts of adventure apparel, gear, and footwear. I know how to beat up gear, and as I go on hiking adventures I share my thoughts with you! When stuff is great, I let you know, and when it is bad, I also let you know! There’s no holding back here!
Have you been to the Grand Canyon, and stood atop the rim and looked at the grandeur of the spectacular landscape below? Hiking into the depths of the canyon is an experience of a lifetime. In the film, Backpack the Grand Canyon, Real World Productions provides an essential guide for anyone planning the journey into …
One of my biggest frustrations on the trail is dead batteries. Just when I’m about to capture an Ansel Adams moment, my camera dies. Or my GPS batteries die, and I have to lug dead AAs for the rest of the trip so I can dispose of them properly when I’m back home. I found …
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 …
Timberland has introduced a new, fashionable women’s hiking boot, the Pinkham Notch Hiker. How do they hold up on the trail? I did some thorough testing to find out. These shoes are named after a mountain pass in New Hampshire’s White Mountains. With unpredictable weather, and rugged terrain, the Pinkham Notch is definitely a challenging …
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 …