Archives for December 2014

It’s safe to say that some of the best tasting food I have had in my life came in the form of a dense — often dry — $2 bar. Now that is not to say that this is actually the best food I have ever had. However, in the moments I have eaten them, […]

Best Flannels For Hiking, Camping and Backpacking In case you have been living under a rock for the past few years, the flannel shirt is back with a vengeance. Although they are a favorite among hipster urban teenagers, flannels are also some of the best layers for Rocky Mountain camping, hiking and backpacking. Thankfully, for […]

History of the Best Backpacking Backpacks Osprey celebrates its 40th anniversary as a company this year. In those four decades, the company has grown from a small specialized backpack company in Santa Cruz, California to the leading performance backpack manufacturer in the world. Osprey was born in 1974 when founders Mike Pfotenhauer and Laurie White […]

Camping Gear For Dogs Anyone who has ever taken dogs camping or backpacking knows that they can be the best addition to the trip. Dogs are maybe even more in their element in the Rocky Mountain wilderness than I am, and their enthusiasm for the outdoors is contagious. When it comes to packing everyone into […]

Best Outdoor Gear of 2014 For everyone who hiked, backpacked, camped or played in any other way in the Rocky Mountains in 2014 — congratulations. You took advantage of some of the best outdoor recreation areas in the country and took in some of the most spectacular scenery in the world. Congratulations are also due […]

Down jackets are inherently connected to the meat industry. The down feathers used to fill the world’s top performing down apparel were plucked from a bird that eventually ended up as someone’s dinner. This is unavoidable. What can be controlled, however, are the conditions and treatment the animal received before it’s feathers were plucked. Patagonia […]

Holiday Outdoor Gift Guide Some people ask for sparkly jewelry. Some people want high-tech electronics. For me, and I imagine many of you, I want holiday gifts that I can use to play outside on my favorite Rocky Mountain hiking trails and campgrounds. 2014 has been a great year for the outdoor industry, with some […]

Over the past few years hammocks have played an increasingly important role in my Rocky Mountain outdoor life. What was once a relaxing indulgence — typically reserved for beach vacations — has transformed into a reliable sleeping apparatus and one of my most important gear items. My relationship to hammocks changed when I scored my […]