GenX Backpackers

As you may know, Tina had a complete knee replacement surgery in November of 2022.  Prior to that we had been taking multi-day backpacking trips, but we limited those to what her body would do.  She knew her knees were bad, and had gotten a number of injections into them

Ultralight is many things.  A mindset.  A set of principles.  A goal.  A quest.  One thing that can't be disputed - by anyone who has tried a "true" UL pack/load - is how much different it is than "traditional" backpacking.  And by traditional here, I mean the type of

Philmont is Scouting's premier high adventure base.  I went twice as a youth.  Once with my troop (1988) and once by myself as part of a trail crew program (1989.)  It was my first time backpacking in the Rocky Mountains, and until last year, was the highest elevation I had

This is a post of the raw/unedited vlog entries Tina or I made, unedited, for our September 2022 12 day trip on the Superior Hiking Trail in Minnesota.  Some of this might be crap.  We're not video editors.  This is just the raw feed!  Enjoy! Day 1 Day 2

Quilts/sleeping bags are one of the "big 4" items - those 4 items that most impact the weight and cost of most people's backpacking kit.  Over time I have evolved my sleep system components, upgrading to get better/lighter versions.  Today I have multiple quilts for a "mix and

On 4/29/2023 I was doing some yard work and ended up severely straining a groin muscle.  Recovery on something like this typically takes 3-8 weeks, which means I almost certainly have to cancel the upcoming trip with Chris to GSMNP.  Sucks, but what do you do?  Well, look

Brian, Chris, and Maxine.  Will we make it?  That's the big question.  Certainly that first day is going to be a killer.  Nearly 5000' of climbing, and our packs full of food!  Boo-yah!  That's going to be a challenge.  For reference purposes, here is a tabulation of the trip plan:

The simple answer is because I'm a gear geek who is at a point in life where I have the financial means to spend on my hobbies.  The longer answer is a bit more nuanced. I currently have four backpacking packs.  Each serves a different purpose.  Could I get by

So many trips, so few vacation days. As it currently sits (4/7/2023), I have two big trips planned this calendar year.  Trip 1 is 6 days on the Appalachian Trail, trying to do all 73 miles of trail through the Great Smokey Mountain National Park.  Trip 2 will

I HATE inflating my sleeping pads by blowing into them.  I hate seeing condensed water vapor clinging to the inside walls - where I can't easily get it out - where it adds weight (!), and breeds mold and other nasties.  Thankfully most pad manufacturers agree with me and provide something

Some time back I read this article about Timmermade's SUL 1.5 down puffy.  I have the Timmermade Super Ultralight (SUL) 0.75, and like it, but find it a bit too UL for me - i.e. not as warm as I would hope.  When I read the bikepacking

On July 1-4, 2022 Chris Spears and I traveled to Southern Colorado to do a "shakedown" trip with his daughter Maxine on the Elk Creek, Valle Verde loop in preparation for the 4-Pass Loop trip that we would go on August 5-8.   This was my first time ever backpacking in

Friday August 5th:  We Drove from Manitou Springs to Crested Butte trail head and arrived around 11:30 am.  After group picture taking, myself, Chris Spears , his nephew, and his daughter began our climb.   We debated clockwise or counterclockwise around the loop right up until we got to the decision

Tina and I will be doing the Superior Trail September 4-16.  We are going to be doing a "choose your own adventure" plan.  i.e. we know where we are going to start, and we know when we are going to finish, but exactly where we are going to finish

This past weekend I went on a quick two-nighter with Chris and his daughter to Big Bend NP to see how she liked backpacking with elevation change.  This is in preparation for a possible longer trip later this summer.  Chris has many more pics and stories to share - I'll

I drive a 2007 Pontiac Vibe with 250k miles on it.  Still going strong.  Looking forward to 300k.  Fully depreciated baby! But, yeah, I like nice things.  I just choose to spend my money on my passions: my pups and backpacking.  One of the things I really enjoy about cottage

If you've used a canister stove for any amount of time, you've undoubtedly got a collection of half-used canisters.  Annoying.  Wouldn't it be great if there were some way to combine the contents of one cannister into another?  Surely there must be a way.  I consulted the modern source of

Today Brian and I did the road walk between Trailheads 9 and 10 that we skipped on our last trek on the Lone star hiking trail.   I had discovered Kinesiology tape a few months back and I made sure that my current problem areas were supported.  I went with this