Intermediate — All Posts

Do I Need to Filter My Water on the PCT?

In your quest for an ever-lighter pack, have you pondered tossing your water purification system to the curb to cut the last few ounces from your base weight? Are you enamored by super-hikers who brag about their six-pound packs? Or by hikers who casually gulp from groundwater without breaking stride? Maybe you can be one of those ultralight gods as well. Just take the plunge. So, with the promise of an ever lighter and more comfortable pack, you ask: Do I need to filter my water on the PCT?

Hiking Canyons in Mallorca: Torrent de Pareis

Just off the coast of Spain, Mallorca and its jagged limestone mountains offer some truly beautiful and challenging hiking. We signed on for a guided hike of Torrent de Pareis, a gorge that runs through the Tramuntana mountains to the sea. One way, this intermediate-level day hike was a beautiful way to spend a day in Mallorca.

Trip Reports, EuropeScott SpringerFebruary 4, 2018Mallorca, Spain, Europe, Mediterranean, Day Hike, Canyon, Story, Hiking, Intermediate, _Cat001, _Tag001, _Arc001Comment

Kilimanjaro Gear List

Climbing Kilimanjaro is a life changing experience. It's the highest point in Africa and the tallest free-standing mountain in the world. Reaching the top and returning safely requires being fit, determined, having the right equipment, and knowing how to use it. Here is my recommended packing list for Kilimanjaro.

Best Baselayer Fabric

The baselayer. This unassuming layer sits next to your skin, transporting sweat away from you and into itself—so that it can evaporate slowly without leaving you chilled. It's the first thing we put on. (And often leave on the entire trip!) Baselayers can help stay cool in the summer and warm in the winter. Choosing the best baselayer is super-critical to your comfort and enjoyment of more intense climates outdoors. The market is full of brands. Full of styles. Full of Fabrics. How does one choose? It's a bit overwhelming. This post chips away at this problem by examining the two main baselayer fabric categories to head to head to determine which fabric is makes the best baselayer: Is it wool or polyester?