hiking – Wet Boots, Worn Packs, and Other Wonderful Things

Wall Street Mill: A gold mill rich in history.

Joshua Tree National Park is known for its many Gold Rush-era mines dispersed throughout the vast desert park. In the 1840’s Americans and immigrants alike headed west in search of fortunes to be found in the rocky desert landscape. Such things conjure up images of the Wild West at its peak. However, despite that peakContinue reading “Wall Street Mill: A gold mill rich in history.”

Camping in style: my first impressions of “glamping”.

There was once a time that I thought anything short of sleeping in the dirt was a “soft” experience. Always eager to test myself, I sought out the the rawest of experiences nature had to offer. But these days I’ve come to realize that it’s not all about making miles and climbing the highest peaks.Continue reading “Camping in style: my first impressions of “glamping”.”

Woodcraft and Camping: The Great American Classic Of Camping

Principally speaking, camping should be a simple task. Unsurprisingly, we have found many ways to over-complicate the camp and overwhelm the camper. All types of gadgets and misconceptions abound, but all we really need to enjoy the outdoors is a few simple skills and the basic means to live comfortably. One of America’s earliest proponentContinue reading “Woodcraft and Camping: The Great American Classic Of Camping”

Hypothermia: What it is and how to prevent it.

It seems too obvious to say that extreme cold can be dangerous. Even with the slightest chill in the air, it’s not uncommon to hear someone say, “I’m freezing to death!”. Exaggerations aside, what exactly does it take to freeze to death? More importantly, how do we know when the exaggeration can become a reality?Continue reading “Hypothermia: What it is and how to prevent it.”

Gerber Gator: Is a $35.00 American-made fixed blade knife too good to be true? Maybe.

Gerber is a company with a checkered past among knife enthusiasts. Alternating periods of exceptional designs with quality manufacturing and periods of questionable design choices with poor materials have shaken some customer’s trust in the nearly 80 year-old company. As of late it seems Gerber has been attempting to push into another new period ofContinue reading “Gerber Gator: Is a $35.00 American-made fixed blade knife too good to be true? Maybe.”

Nazi’s in L.A.: Hiking through California’s disturbing past at Murphy’s Ranch.

If I told you that only a short drive from Los Angeles is the ruins of a self-sufficient Nazi commune would you believe me? Obscured by both myth and hidden intentions lies just that. Enter: Murphy’s Ranch. In 1933 a plot of land was purchased in Rustic Canyon, Los Angeles by Jessie M. Murphy. TheContinue reading “Nazi’s in L.A.: Hiking through California’s disturbing past at Murphy’s Ranch.”

Are you ready for a wilderness survival situation?

It can happen to anyone: One wrong turn leads you miles off course. An unexpected storm blows in. You’re caught out as the sun sets. Would you be ready? A little preemptive thinking can serve one well to avoid such things, but if you fail to do so, that problem is now in the past.Continue reading “Are you ready for a wilderness survival situation?”

Justin Dark Mountain Boots: Casual. Capable. Classic.

While I’ll always recommend using the best footwear for your intended activity, there’s something to be said about a pair of boots that can take you from work, to the trail, to the town in just a few hour’s time. Justin’s Dark Mountain boots are one of the few that are able to do justContinue reading “Justin Dark Mountain Boots: Casual. Capable. Classic.”

Stealth Camping: Camping quickly and quietly.

Stealth camping is the act of choosing your campsite based on your potential to remain unseen and leave minimal evidence of your time spent there. This is useful for hunters and trappers that may be observing hunting grounds and for those who simply prefer to have their privacy when in the bush. Successful stealth campingContinue reading “Stealth Camping: Camping quickly and quietly.”

For those that find themselves here…

Welcome to Wet Boots, Worn Packs, and Other Wonderful Things. I assume the type of person that comes across a website with such a title is familiar with the very things that are of its namesake (or perhaps hopes to be). The process we go through to find the satisfaction we gather from nature isContinue reading “For those that find themselves here…”