Ice Lake Basin and neighboring Island Lake is one of the most incredible places I’ve visited in the United States. This past weekend I hiked up to the basin for the third time in three years hitting it at darned near peak wildflower season. For the second year in a row I found myself in…
Hiking
Hiking Italy’s Lagazuoi Tunnels
I hate being underground. Technically the Lagazuoi Tunnels are not underground, but under mountain. Regardless I was not stoked to explore trails not under the light of day. But I had to do it for history’s sake! Lagzuoi is a peak in the Dolomites with an altitude of 9,201 feet (2,835 meters) well known for…
Holy Dolomiti! A Crash Course in Hiking the Dolomites
I wasted no time getting to the Dolomites! I arrived in Venice at 5pm, jumped in the rental car and headed north on the Autostrada in a tiny Fiat (first time driving in a foreign country – eek!) arriving in Cortina just in time to watch the full moon rise over the mountains. Then up…
Osprey Sirrus 24 Review – Women’s Daypack
I was on the lookout for a new daypack this summer requiring the following: good ventilation, hipbelt pockets (for easily accessible snacks), and a built-in rain cover so my new ridiculously expensive Canon 7DÂ stays safe during those reliable afternoon mountain showers. Having never owned an Osprey pack and having never heard an ill word…
REI Half Dome 2 Tent Review
Lightweight, strong, and reliable backpacking tent. My last tent was an REI Half Dome and it happily traveled with me for five years. That tent kept me dry and comfortable on innumerable backpacking and camping trips and was my home for an entire summer split between Hawaii and Wyoming. It was probably the most reliable…
Black Diamond Distance Z-Poles Review: Lightweight Travel Trekking Poles
Black Diamond Distance Z-Poles – Best lightweight and easy to pack trekking poles ever! I never knew I could fall in love with a pair of trekking poles, but these babies absolutely saved my knees trekking the Mont Blanc Circuit in France. The Black Diamond Z-Poles are ridiculously light at 12-13 ounces per pair and…