Brian Edward Keenan

Lighterpack Repository

I created a page of my Lighterpack lists as a tool/reference for others. See here Keep Hiking my friends

Scout Stuff

2024 Trip Plan

Tina and I officially/legally got hitched at the end of 2023, but I count the anniversary date as the "cake day." Our cake day is going to be this summer. We've planned it in a location that is centrally located and easy to get to

Personal Growth

Appalachian Trail Fallout

If you've read the post "The Hardest Day" detailing my September 2023 trip from Sherburne Pass, Vermont to Franconia Notch, New Hampshire, you'll know that I limped to the finish line. About a month after returning home the pain in my left knee had

Gear Reviews

Xmid Footprint Quest

When I was making my transition from traditional to lightweight backpacking in 2020/2021, I learned about trekking pole tents. (Ok, I'll admit it: it was YouTube videos.) Nifty idea I thought, but $700 for a tent was ridiculous - no way was I buying anything made of

Trails Reviews/Wrap-ups

The Hardest Day

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

Educational

XUL (Extreme Ultralight) Packing List

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

Educational

The quest for the ultimate tent stake

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.

Third time is the charm

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

Scout Stuff

Philmont Most Valuable Player Award

My 2023 Philmont trek MVP award goes to my Gossamer Gear sun umbrella. If you think these things are dorky you obviously haven't tried one: this thing is amazing!!!!! I pulled it out on my crew's June 17th shakedown (in Texas hill country) when it was

Trails Reviews/Wrap-ups

Philmont 2023 Post Trip Thoughts

Click here for the Lighterpack list:

Scout Stuff

Philmont Shakedown

Here's the link to the Lighterpack list

Bucket 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 Trail * Zion National Park - Angles Landing * Grand Canyon Rim-to-Rim-to-Rim * Yellowstone National Park - Shoshone Geyser Basin * Glacier

Trails Reviews/Wrap-ups

BBNP Memorial Day Trip Report

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

Educational

Down the Rabbit Hole

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

Educational

How to go UL at Philmont

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

The Minnesota State Bird

Tina vs. Drainpipe

Bear Lake Rant

Trails Reviews/Wrap-ups

Superior Hiking Trail 2022 Vlog

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

Gear Reviews

Sleep System Evolution

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

Change of Plans

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

6 days, 73 miles, 21,500' climb. Weather - almost certainly rain. Type 1, 2 or 3 fun?

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

Educational

Rationalizing Backpacks - Why do I have so many?

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

2023 Trip Plan

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 [https://www.nationalgeographic.

Educational

In Search of the Perfect Pump Sack

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