This past Friday, November 8th, I had the opportunity to hike Mount Whitney, California’s tallest peak and the tallest peak in the lower 48 states. While that was an awesome experience all by itself, summiting this peak wasn’t even the highlight…the highlight was being on this mountain with an inspiring group of Marines! These guys…
Author: Backcountry Fever
Backpacking Zion’s West Rim Trail
I know the West Rim Trail can be done as a day hike from Lava Point, but we chose to spread it out and slow it down by starting at Wildcat. That made it a 3-day, 2-night trip which turned out great! Here’s our itinerary: DAY 1: Travel + Hike to Wildcat Camp Our first…
This is Packrafting
I’m intrigued by this adventure sport I recently discovered called packrafting… it started by researching what it takes to float the Escalante River from Highway 12 to Lake Powell. I can so see myself getting into this… and already pricing out boats!
The Magnetic Power of the Grand Canyon
I’ve been fascinated with the Grand Canyon ever since I first saw it in the summer of ‘93, our way back to Phoenix from a trip at Lake Powell. I have since been able to deepen that connection with 2 rim-to-rim crossings (2016, 2018) and a few days down in Havasupai (2017, 2019). I’m no…
Planning an Escalante River Run: From Highway 12 to Lake Powell
The desire to float the Escalante River came from my first trip to Coyote Gulch with a group of scouts back in 2016. Standing at the confluence of those two waterways to get a closer look at Steven’s Arch, I couldn’t help but wonder what the full length of that canyon looked like from Highway…
Next International Plan: EBC in 2020
I’ve been seeing a lot of pictures lately of people returning from treks to Everest Base Camp. While I have no desire to summit Everest, I’ve always thought the idea of getting to its base camp would be an amazing experience all by itself. I know it would be a once-in-a-lifetime experience for me as…
Next 14er: Pike’s Peak
The next time I’m in Colorado, which will be September 2019, I will be going for Pike’s Peak from the Barr Trail. I got the idea after first hearing about the Manitou Incline, and then finding out that’s one of the trails up to Pike’s. This will be my second 14er behind Gray’s Peak in…
Get Your SPOT Tested
We are becoming so reliant on electronic devices these days that I hope we maintain some basic level of skills, survival or otherwise, if [or when] these gadgets fail. The SPOT Messenger is one of those devices I’ve taken with me on all my hiking, snowmobiling and off-roading adventures since 2011! My wife gave it…
The Hormones of Hiking
I’ve been reading a book for work this week called Leaders Eat Last by Simon Sinek. I was surprised to find a chapter about body chemicals that helped me understand why we do what we do as hikers. The first hormone that plays into hiking is all about what keeps us putting one foot in…
Avalanche Safety Myths Debunked
Nice reminder from Miss Adventure Pants of things we need to pay attention to as we begin this winter backcountry hiking season! MYTH #1: Avalanches aren’t a big problem in the Lower 48 MYTH #2: Avalanches aren’t a problem for hikers MYTH #3: Avalanche slopes are obvious MYTH #4: Staying off steep slopes will keep…