Over a decade ago, I visited Giants Causeway in Ireland and I was amazed with the thousands of hexagonal shapes that formed. I was so intrigued that I researched similar areas and found Devils Postpile in Mammoth Lakes, California. The monument features thousands of hexagonal basalt columns formed 100,000 years ago when a lava flow slowed and then cooled and cracked. It immediately went on my bucket list and yesterday I was finally able to cross it off. Continue reading
Tag Archives: Hiking
On Top of the World at Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Park
From day hikes to overnight wilderness trips, warm foothills to cold alpine peaks, from largest and finest groves of giant sequoias to the extraordinarily diverse plants and animals living in extremely varied conditions, the experiences in Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks are vast. I wanted to take it all in from an extreme vantage point and Moro Rock was the ideal high point. A stone and concrete stairway led to the top of this granite dome. From the top, I enjoyed sweeping views of the hills below and the wilderness to the east. Continue reading
Dominica is Packed with Awesomeness
I had breakfast at Evergreen Hotel, toured the city Roseau, hiked to Trafalgar Falls, swam in hot springs, relaxed on Mero Beach, dined at Romance Cafe and enjoyed flyboarding with Nature Island Adventure Tours. That’s not my full week itinerary; that’s what I did today in Dominica. Continue reading
Follow Along as I Discover Dominica
Dominica is one of the few countries left in the Caribbean that I haven’t visited. It’s a hiker’s paradise with adventure, beauty, nature, and culture abound. Starting Wednesday, I will discover this unspoiled destination. My trip will include hiking Sari Sari Falls and Trafalgar Falls. I’ll canyon, dive, snorkel, and relax on the beach. I’ll swim at Bubble Beach Spa and Champagne Reef and enjoy a whale watching excursion. You know when I visit a new place, I’m all in. My packed schedule will introduce me to the best of Dominica and I’ll be sure to share it all with you. Continue reading
Hiking Mount Indefatigable in Kananaskis, Alberta
When Rick Chin sent me his post about hiking Mount Indefatigable in Kananaskis, Alberta, it was an obvious feature choice. Thanks for the inspiring article and photos, Rick. Keep “doing something” and we’ll keep being “inspired”.
Waterproof Packing Made Easy – Exped Torrent 50
Backpacking, caving, biking, mountaineering, canyoneering, paddling… the list of adventures where you need to keep your gear dry goes on and on. The Exped Torrent 50 backpack keeps water away from your precious gear so it stays dry and you stay carefree. Take on wet conditions with this waterproof pack that offers welded seams and waterproof closures. If you find yourself battling wet conditions, this should be your go-to pack. Continue reading
Ultimate Hiking Gear
Some gear is just too good to pass up!
Sherpa Resham 3-Layer Jacket
Built to deflect wind and rain, the Resham Jacket is one streamlined, high-performance piece of equipment. The fabric is an ultra-light, 3-layer polyurethane laminate that’s both waterproof and breathable. Every seam is sealed for durable water repellency. And when you need to ventilate your core on the ascent, unzip the front hand pockets – they’re lined in mesh. The collar is extra tall for maximum face coverage, and the hood adjusts around the face via interior front pulls; volume control is done via a device at the back of the head ($199;http://www.sherpaadventuregear.com).
*Sherpa Adventure Gear manufacturers 80% of their products in Nepal with a local workforce to support the local economy. They also employ actual Sherpas as brand ambassadors who use and test the products in the Himalayas. In short, the great Sherpas of Nepal are directly-benefited by the success of Sherpa AG.With a flagship store in Katmandu, Sherpa AG promotes the use of their products to all climbers and locals alike — offering jobs and opportunities for Sherpas and their families. Continue reading
“Darn Close to the Perfect Daypack for General Duty” – Gregory Z30
Backpacker Magazine claimed that the Gregory Z30 backpack was “Darn close to the perfect daypack for general duty”, and I knew I needed to check it out for myself. The Z30 is part of Gregory’s ‘Fast and Light’ series, which probably tells you everything you need to know. The company says the intention is to “strike a balance between low weight and durability without sacrificing performance”. The positives are endless: the suspension system is lightweight and the thin shoulder straps and hip-belt are wide enough to distribute pressure; the pockets are endless; and the single main compartment of the Z30 is long and wide enough to make loading easy. This ventilated hiking pack is ideal for light and fast overnights and daily hikes. Continue reading
Performance at its Best: Jetboil Sol Ti Premium Cooking System
Open any camping, hiking, or trekking magazine and you’ll find the Jetboil. What makes the Jetboil system so appealing? the answer is simple: convenience plus efficiency. The Jetboil Sol Ti Premium Cooking System is a self-contained cooking system made with the solo hiker in mind. The Jetboil Sol shaved ounces off the weight by including a small, thin, light cup made of titanium, as well as trimming down the plastic housing that surrounds the burner head. Jetboil also incorporated their new Thermo-Regulate Technology into the new Sol cook system. With a heat exchanger built right into the pot, the stove delivers astonishing fuel efficiency and ultra-short boil times.The Jetboil Sol Ti Premium Cooking System is Jetboil’s lightest and most technically advanced integrated canister fuel cooking system. Continue reading
Ultimate, Integrated Cooking & Eating Solution – The GSI Outdoors Pinnacle Camper
A camping trip to somewhere completely remote without computers, television, and cell
service would be right up my alley… a year ago. With the arrival of my bundle of joy came some limitations for now. A more current reality is camping where walking back to the car to get all the good for dinner is the only hiking involved. Maybe some of you are capable of hiking Everest with a baby strapped to your front and everything you need to survive for a month strapped to your back and all I have to say about that is more power to you. As for me, I’ll stick to my campsite twenty minutes away from home. One of the advantages to this is that I can bring more than I can personally carry, including cookware. There is no better way to end a day outdoors with my family than a proper meal, and the GSI Pinnacle Camper is the ultimate, integrated cooking and eating solution. Continue reading