This post is all about geeking out on calorie to weight ratios. The goal is to pack as many calories into as light and dense an area as possible. I’ll start with food accessories and then go to the actual food we bring backpacking- both intended for two people out for seven days without re-supply.Continue reading “Ultra-light Backcountry Camping Gear: Food”
Tag Archives: Backpacking
Ultra-light Backcountry Gear: Clothing
Unlike my first gear post, this one will follow a different format. Given we practice ultra-light backpacking, this requires justification for every clothing item because every ounce counts. Also, unlike a tent and sleeping pad, most of my backpacking clothes include race swag and even school clothes! Keep in mind the goal of ultra-light backpackingContinue reading “Ultra-light Backcountry Gear: Clothing”
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”
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”
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”
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”
Backpacking the Beartooths: One Epic Loop Including Whitetail Mountain and the Montana High Point
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: One Epic Loop Including Whitetail Mountain and the Montana High Point”
Backpacking and Day Hiking Banff National Park
In late June of 2017 I had the opportunity to go to a medical conference at the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise. Erik and combined this with a four day backpacking trip in Banff National Park before doing three day hikes in the afternoons after my conference. If there was any downside to this trip (andContinue reading “Backpacking and Day Hiking Banff National Park”
Backpacking a Giant Loop in Glacier National Park
After a few years of Erik telling me we should take the train to Glacier National Park, I conceded and so off we went, in a sleeper car from Saint Paul, Minnesota to West Glacier, Montana. Staying in a sleeper car was well worth the price. It was cozy and I got much better sleepContinue reading “Backpacking a Giant Loop in Glacier National Park”
Elspeth Ronnander 