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Bugforce Scale

June 10, 2020February 09, 2022 MarkLeave a comment

Bugforce Scale as proposed by Paul Wagner is an attempt to describe how annoying mosquitoes are from a qualitative perspective. An example of one of my level 9 experiences was descending into the basin around Dick’s Lake is Desolation Wilderness. While walking down the trail … “Bugforce Scale”

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Posted Under: travelTags: backpacking

Hiking Destinations

June 09, 2020May 25, 2022 MarkLeave a comment

The following is a reference I use when selecting the next hiking or backpacking destination with a bias toward Northern California. I make it in 2002 and just now am updating in because many of the links were out of date. Each year I say … “Hiking Destinations”

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Posted Under: fitness, outdoors, travelTags: backpacking, sfbay

Camino de Santiago

November 06, 2018February 26, 2021 MarkLeave a comment

The following are notes I am pulling together for myself which might be useful to others who are considering walking The Way of Saint James. I had hoped to walk the Camino de Santiago in 2020, but that didn’t happen for obvious reasons.  I am … “Camino de Santiago”

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Posted Under: outdoors, travelTags: backpacking, christian

Get Outdoors

October 05, 2018June 19, 2022 MarkLeave a comment

Every Saturday Jackie and I take at least a couple hours to walk in one of the parks in our area or we might be further afield at some state or national park. Within a few minutes of beginning our walk I can feel myself … “Get Outdoors”

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Posted Under: fitness, health, outdoorsTags: backpacking

Flashlights & Headlamp

October 17, 2017January 15, 2022 MarkLeave a comment

Flashlights and headlamps let you continue your activities once it is too dark to see. The ability to expend the hours that we can do things is invaluable. Today, virtually all flashlights and headlamps use LEDs to produce light. I strongly encourage people to retired … “Flashlights & Headlamp”

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Posted Under: outdoorsTags: backpacking, bicycling, gear

Knives and Other Sharps

October 16, 2017June 03, 2022 Mark1 Comment

Many activities requires cutting things. Cutting needs varies: food preparation, opening packaging, trimming material to cover a blister,  or hacking branches off a tree to build an emergency shelter. My Choice My every day carry (EDC) knife is a Victorinox Rambler Pocket Knife which is … “Knives and Other Sharps”

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Posted Under: outdoorsTags: backpacking, gear

Water Treatment & Containers

October 16, 2017December 29, 2020 MarkLeave a comment

Next to staying warm, the most important survive and comfort factor is to make sure you drink an adequate amount of safe water. This often means you need to carry water and be prepared to treat water. Not all locations have a continuous supply of … “Water Treatment & Containers”

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Posted Under: health, outdoorsTags: backpacking, gear

Vapor Barriers

September 10, 2017December 29, 2020 MarkLeave a comment

In extremely cold vapor barriers can be part of an effective clothing or sleep system. According to the book Secrets of Warmth by Hal Wiess, the human body gives off moisture for three reasons: (1) as a fear response, (2) as sweat to cool us down when … “Vapor Barriers”

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Posted Under: outdoorsTags: backpacking, clothing, gear

Recommended Clothing

September 09, 2017January 05, 2022 MarkLeave a comment

I recommend clothing that can be comfortably worn day after day for a wide variety of activities. My clothing is typically made from technical fibers or merino wool which provides good mobility, decent durability, is light weight, fast drying, and odor/stain resistant. I use mostly … “Recommended Clothing”

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Posted Under: outdoors, travelTags: backpacking, clothing, gear

Tarp-tents and Other Ultralight Shelters

October 02, 2016June 29, 2022 Mark1 Comment

Today  there is a wide range of ultralight shelters including traditionally designed tents using exotic materials to move them into the ultralight weight classification. Many of the ultralight shelter designs came from people’s experiences on long thru hikes combined with a desire to find the … “Tarp-tents and Other Ultralight Shelters”

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Posted Under: outdoorsTags: backpacking, gear, shelters

ZPacks Hexamid

October 27, 2013April 07, 2021 MarkLeave a comment

Review Item: ZPacks HexamidOptions: Cuben with NettingManufacture Year: 2010Listed weight: Cuben shelter, guylines, and bag 8.9ozWeight as delivered: tarp+attached guylines 8.3ozMSRP: US$259 (current version is $425) I have a first generation which uses three zippers that meet at the top peak. Joe has now switched to a … “ZPacks Hexamid”

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Posted Under: outdoorsTags: backpacking, gear, shelters

Shelters

October 02, 2013June 29, 2022 MarkLeave a comment

Shelter selection should be based on how much room you need and the conditions you expect to encounter (rain, snow, wind, bugs, blistering heat, etc). For example, if you only camp in mild weather it would be silly to buy a mountaineering tent designed for … “Shelters”

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Posted Under: outdoorsTags: backpacking, gear, shelters

Boots or Trail Runners

September 13, 2013December 29, 2020 Mark1 Comment

When I started hiking as a child everyone knew you should wear hiking boots, ideally made in Italy with Vibram soles and leather.uppers. Only stupid people wore tennis shoes while hiking, though often they were brought for river crossings and for relaxing around camp. Years … “Boots or Trail Runners”

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Posted Under: outdoorsTags: backpacking, clothing, footwear, gear

Feet in Snow and Cold

September 13, 2013December 29, 2020 MarkLeave a comment

In colder weather, people often struggle with their feet getting cold.  There are a number of reasons for this Feet are the furthest point from your core which is generating heat. Feet are subjected to conductive cooling through the soles of your shoes/boots. Feet sweat … “Feet in Snow and Cold”

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Posted Under: outdoorsTags: backpacking, clothing, footwear, gear

Feet in Wet Conditions

September 13, 2013July 03, 2022 MarkLeave a comment

In general you want to keep your feet dry.  There are a variety of ways you feet can get wet. The most dramatic are river crossings, followed by rain, snow, and slush. The final issue is sweat from your own feet (feet can dissipate up … “Feet in Wet Conditions”

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Posted Under: outdoorsTags: backpacking, clothing, footwear, gear

Goto Backpacking Gear

July 06, 2013February 21, 2022 MarkLeave a comment

Thought it would be interesting to see how my primary items have changed over time:  I am ignoring items that were used briefly or for testing purpose. For a while I was regularly purchasing new gear and trying it our. When I found something that … “Goto Backpacking Gear”

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Posted Under: outdoorsTags: backpacking, gear

Backpacking on the Cheap

May 09, 2013July 06, 2022 Mark1 Comment

Every year I help organize several backpacking trips for the communities I participate in. Typically we will have several first time backpackers. I often get the question “What should I buy?” Everyone expects the first thing I will suggest is a good pair of boots … “Backpacking on the Cheap”

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Posted Under: outdoorsTags: backpacking, gear

Backpacking Resources

May 09, 2013November 26, 2021 MarkLeave a comment

Online Communities BackpackingLight.com. (BPL) In 2000 this was the best site for people who wanted information about light weight backpacking. In the last few years I feel like they have been stumbling a bit (ugly UI / too many ads, etc) as they have tried … “Backpacking Resources”

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Posted Under: fitness, outdoorsTags: backpacking

Food for Backpacking

May 09, 2013October 17, 2021 MarkLeave a comment

There is a saying that an army runs on it’s stomach. The same could be said for most backpackers and outdoor adventurers. For most, food is not only fuel for the journey, but also a source of enjoyment, comfort, and motivation. There is a wide … “Food for Backpacking”

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Posted Under: outdoorsTags: backpacking

Cookware for Backpacking

May 09, 2013February 11, 2021 MarkLeave a comment

If you want to cook food, you need something that holds the water and/or food as you heat it up. They best cookware will vary depending on the size of a group and the type of cooking. My Choice When I am traveling solo I … “Cookware for Backpacking”

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Posted Under: outdoorsTags: backpacking, gear

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