Outdoor Adventure Blog

Picture yourself in North Carolina, you’re at 5,200 ft, and it’s so cold that your water bottle is frozen. You neglected to bring a 4-season sleeping pad because on this trip you were going to go “ultra light.” In fact you barely even consider to highly modified, half cut Z-lite, much to write home about-but still, you feel as though you’re wrapped in a fluffy cloud of warmth. Everyone who isn’t you is either cold or complaining - maybe your choice in bringing along your Western Mountaineering Alpinlite 20 bag wasn’t such a bad idea. As you sit in revel in your pre dawn victory - you reflect on the past 3 days on the Appalachian Trail, your last minute purchase of your new sleeping bag, and whether or not it was worth it.

The Best Sleeping Bags Money Can Buy »

One of my first orders of business when I started working at Travel Country was purchasing a pair of Vibram Fivefinger Sprints. It was just over three years ago, and I was being enculcated with knowledge on store products from the likes of Brian, Chris, Wayne, Ryan, and others - extremely experienced outdoorsmen. But the Fivefingers, those were new. Those were the things that people didn't really have a phenomenal amount of knowledge on. In fact, often times people would come into the store and ask many questions - one of them was invariably "What are the long-term effects of wearing these shoes?" The answer, quite simply, was "We're not sure yet." We were going to have to figure out together.

Sprint, KSO: The Two Best Fivefinger Models »

It was an awesome time this weekend at the 2nd annual Pacifico Paddle Challenge in St. Pete, FL. We were so stoked to race at the last stop of the SUP Splash series. It’s probably one of the biggest SUP race series in the U.S. and I believe it’s just going to keep getting bigger - with 130 racers total (participating in the short/long/kids/relay courses) and a great location on the beach in front of the beautiful Postcard Inn. Grace Marcel, Shane Waterboy Webb and all the wonderful volunteers did a fantastic job putting this epic event together, with partial proceeds benefiting St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital.

Pacifico Paddle Challenge »

I am about to divulge how awesome is the Ferrosi Hoody by Outdoor Research.

Ferocious Ferrosi Hoody »

The wind condition outlook was not so good for race day due to Hurricane Sandy; wind gusts were up to 25+ mph and there was lots of ocean chop. But Water Monkey Fall Paddle Festival race organizer, Chase Kosterlitz, was prepared with alternate courses set in the Treasure Island, FL intracoastal waterway. And the athletes were ready to tackle the cards they’d been dealt!

Water Monkey Fall Paddle Fest '12 »

I bought the Arc’teryx Rogue Pant at a very important time in my life: I really needed a pair of pants.

Gone Rogue (Pant) »

I had never owned a down jacket until last spring, and now I will never be without one ever again.

The Amazing Warmth of the Venus Down Jacket »

Seven years ago, when I purchased my first Eagle’s Nest Outfitters Hammock (ENO or Eagle’s Nest), I had no idea the jewel that I’d obtained.

Buy an ENO Hammock or Suffer the Consequences »

The first time I ever went hiking (the kind of hiking that doesn’t just involve packing tons of snack foods and pb&j sandwiches) was a few years ago on the Appalachian Trail in Georgia. I don’t exactly remember the fine details of how I found myself looking at the trail head of the Appalachian Trail in Amicalola Falls, but I do know that it didn’t take much convincing from my friend’s dad to get me there. I was excited about the views, the chilly weather, and - probably most of all - getting to drink “fresh mountain water.” To this day, it still remains one of my favorite things about hiking in the wilderness - but first things first, you have to know how to be able to safely enjoy it.

How to Pick the Right Water Filter »

Most of my Florida adventures are impromptu, and take place on the water. Because of this combination, I usually have need to take food, water, sunscreen (sometimes), my Bible, journal, occasionally my phone, and that’s about it. But if I’m on a paddleboard, in a kayak, or on an island in the middle of a lake somewhere - I might have to worry about any of those things getting wet.

DryComp Ridge Sack by Outdoor Research »