Ultra-light Backcountry Gear: The Basics
My next four posts are going to focus on the backcountry gear we use for our adventures. “The Basics” include tent, sleeping pad, sleeping quilt, and backpack. In general, I’m of the belief that ultra-light backcountry gear shouldn’t cost an arm and a leg. “The Basics” gear is the one caveat to this. So ifContinue reading “Ultra-light Backcountry Gear: The Basics”
Boundary Waters: The Fernberg Road Loop
A few years ago, someone was telling me about how they were a guide in the Boundary Waters. I almost said “oh, yeah, I go there all the time.” I stopped myself and realized “Elspeth, you hardly ever go to the Boundary Waters.” Somehow, because most people I know frequently go to the Boundary WatersContinue reading “Boundary Waters: The Fernberg Road Loop”
The Bighorns Medium-High Route
You’ve heard of the Sierra High Route. You’ve heard of the Wind River Range High Route. But have you heard of the Bighorns High Route? Have you ever even heard of the Bighorns? I had because of my dad. And then I found his old 1970s map of the area. Located in north central Wyoming,Continue reading “The Bighorns Medium-High Route”
The Great Northeast Minnesota River Loop
This loop begins near the town of Floodwood. From here, we paddled up the Whiteface River to the Whiteface Reservoir and then portaged into the Saint Louis River and paddled back to Floodwood. Erik, my husband, found this route on the map. It can be difficult to combine loops when paddling rivers, but this lookedContinue reading “The Great Northeast Minnesota River Loop”
Backpacking the Superstitions
Located just east of Phoenix, Arizona the Superstitions are a mountain range with lots of opportunity for day hiking, but also for backpacking if you know where to find the springs. We did this trip in early November of 2019 when it wasn’t quite so so hot! We spent three nights out in the wildernessContinue reading “Backpacking the Superstitions”
Italy’s Via Ferrata
This post is intended to be complementary to my previous post on my ski team blog. For all the emotional aspects of this trip and more photos, see that post. Included in this post is the how-to with maps and links (and more photos). Via Ferrata is Italian and translates into English as “iron path.”Continue reading “Italy’s Via Ferrata”
Pecos Wilderness Backpacking
In many respects, after hiking off trail in the Beartooths the year before and above the Arctic Circle in Alaska earlier in the year, I wanted an easy New Mexico hiking trip. Easy means trails and that’s at least what I thought I wanted but as I planned and scouted a route, my eyes driftedContinue reading “Pecos Wilderness Backpacking”
Backpacking and Packrafting Gates of the Arctic National Park
Alaska has been on my radar since I learned the place existed. It’s larger than life and has mountains. But it’s huge with infinite places to explore. In 2015 I saw photos from Gates of the Arctic National Park and decided we had to go there. After much planning and changing our itinerary, we eventuallyContinue reading “Backpacking and Packrafting Gates of the Arctic National Park”
A Tour of Italy: Ferrata in the Dolomites, Cinque Terre, and Venice
In 2017 I was looking for some vacation inspiration. My list of places to visit is endless, but where to go this year? We had already settled on Banff and the Beartooths but were looking for another trip. While buying plane tickets for the Banff trip, an image of a quaint seaside village popped up.Continue reading “A Tour of Italy: Ferrata in the Dolomites, Cinque Terre, and Venice”
Backpacking the Beartooths
Located in south central Montana, near Yellowstone National Park, the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness in the Custer Gallatin National Forest is home to some of Montana’s highest mountains, including the state high point: Granite Peak. It’s also only a long day’s drive from the Twin Cities. In August of 2017 Erik, myself, and our friend Craig, headedContinue reading “Backpacking the Beartooths”
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