Brian Edward Keenan

In November of 2022, on the Lone Star Trail (LST) north of Houston, I assisted a crew of Boy Scouts from San Antonio on a beginner-level backpacking "50-miler."  Most on the crew were strong, older scouts who had done some 1-2 day backpacking trips before, but never a multi-day trip

Just how light can I get and still not be stupid about things?  By that I mean how light can I go and still cover the 10 essentials:  Navigation, sunscreen, extra clothes, flashlight, first aid kit, Fire, knife, water, food, shelter. Well, it turns out, if the temperatures are moderate

When you become a UL gram weenie, you start looking at how much things weigh and for ways to eliminate unnecessary items, find dual/multi-use items, or find lighter items.  In that light, I've kind of been obsessed for a couple years with how much tent stakes weigh.  Individually they're

On April 23 I published that I was going to accompany Chris and Maxine on a trip through Great Smokey Mountains National Park - 6 days, 73 miles, and 21,500' of climb.  Alas, those plans were thwarted by a groin pull.  So I replanned for Labor Day week with

My 2023 Philmont trek MVP award goes to my Gossamer Gear sun umbrella.  There are people out there who think these things are dorky.  All I can say is you obviously haven't tried one.  This thing is amazing.  When I pulled it out on the June 17th shakedown hike (in

Click here for the Lighterpack list:

Here's the link to the Lighterpack list

What is on your bucket list?  What hikes, trips, locations do you dream of?  Here is mine: National Parks Grand Teton National Park - Teton Crest Trail / Petzoldt's High Adventure TrailZion National Park - Angles LandingGrand Canyon Rim-to-Rim-to-RimYellowstone National Park - Shoshone Geyser BasinGlacier National ParkYosemite National park - Cathedral

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