GenX Backpackers

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

Back on trails

I read through Brian's recent posts and I realized it has been over a year since I posted. The last time was after I taped my knees up to finish the last 30+ miles of the Lonestar trail. We never did a recap of that finish. We also

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

Gear Reviews

Super Duper Ultra Light!

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

Trails Reviews/Wrap-ups

Elk Creek Loop Lessons Learned

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

Trails Reviews/Wrap-ups

Colorado 4-Pass Loop Trip Report, August 5 - 8, 2022

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

Educational

Superior Trail Packing List

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

Gear Reviews

Jetboil Stash Review

Like many other GenXers, I buy stuff. Lots of stuff. I consider it my duty to keep the economy moving. As a result, I recently made several purchases. First, a Jetboil Stash and second, a Soto Windmaster stove. I have officially stimulated the economy but now it is time to