“The old school of thought would have you believe that you’d be a fool to take on nature without arming yourself with every conceivable measure of safety and comfort under the sun. But that isn’t what being in nature is all about. Rather, it’s about feeling free, unbounded, shedding the distractions and barriers of our civilization—not bringing them with us.” ― Ryel Kestenbaum, The Ultralight Backpacker: The Complete Guide to Simplicity and Comfort on the Trail
The Pre-Trip Panic Is Real The second you say, “Let’s go backpacking this weekend,” your brain immediately responds with, “Cool, let’s think about everything that could go wrong.” Suddenly you’re wondering if bears like the taste of protein bars, whether you remember...
Let’s set the scene: Early May, sun already melting the asphalt, and I’m in Dark Canyon, Utah, rethinking every life choice that led me to lug a small boulder disguised as a backpack up a 1,500-foot wall of misery. My eyes are stinging from sweat and I’m halfway up...
Let me set your expectations: if you’re thinking your first backpacking trip will be some Instagram-worthy journey of self-discovery, think again—especially if you’re sharing a forest with a swarm of scout troops. My first time backpacking was with a bunch of them,...
Industry Events vs. Real Dirt Every January, headlines out of Denver buzz with phrases like “reimagining outdoor experience” or “next-gen gear innovation.” Meanwhile, real adventurers, the ones actually scrubbing sand off their boots and duct-taping maps to...
The Campfire Doesn’t Care Who You Voted For There’s something profoundly democratic about a campfire. The flames don’t check your voter registration before warming your hands. The stars overhead don’t care if you lean left or right. And the ground beneath your tent...
In a move that will rekindle memories of the 2002 Winter Olympics and showcase Utah's enduring winter sports legacy, Salt Lake City has been awarded the Winter Olympics for 2034. Even though this has been anticipated for a long time. This historic decision marks the...
Review of the Konjoun Socks The Konjoun sock has become almost impossible to avoid. It’s plastered all over social media and marketed aggressively—almost like those endlessly repeated YouTube ads for mobile games. The “Super Sock” itself is designed with individual...