Share When gearing up for a hiking adventure, savvy backpackers know that finding gear that does double duty helps trim off a lot of pack weight. A great new brand from Washington state took that idea and created a brilliant new two-in-one product for hikers who like to enjoy angling during their adventures. The Fikkes Fly [Continued...]
ShareOur test team worked diligently to pair quality flasks with a specific alcoholic beverage ideal suited to that container. After weeks of research, this is what we remember: Innate Classic Flask – $20 Small, round flask made from premium-grade stainless steel. A sparkling 5-ounce flask with a narrow mouth, ideal for spirits worthy of being sipped [Continued...]
ShareLeatherman Style PS / CS When you need just the bare-essentials tool kit, the Style PS from Leatherman fits the bill. The compact 3-inch (folded) multitool boasts a pair of pliers with tapered jaws so they work as both regular-head pliers and slim needle-nose pliers. A wire cutters nests in the back of the jaws [Continued...]
ShareA knife is only as good as its edge. Let a knife lose its edge and, regardless of how much it cost, it’s next to useless. Keeping a knife sharp and ready to use take a little time and effort, but it’s a pretty easy task to take on. First, though, forget those “instant edge” [Continued...]
ShareA good night’s sleep in the camp requires the right sleeping bag. Of course, a comfortable night’s sleep comes easier if you were comfortable on the hike in to camp. With that in mind, the ideal backpacking bag proves light and compact in your backpack, but roomy and warm in camp. These traits aren’t so [Continued...]
ShareOn any spring weekend in the Pacific Northwest, we never know what weather conditions we might face, nor what we might want to do for the day. We can see dramatic weathers changes not just day-to-day, but hour-to-hour. We also must choose from an array of actives. We can ski inbounds or slide into the [Continued...]
ShareI typically avoid end of the year lists – they tend to be overly subjective and someone always gets upset when their favorites don’t make the cut. This year, I’m making an exception since 2011 delivered some remarkable gear that deserves extra mention before we dive into the new spring lines of products. The following items, [Continued...]
ShareMany of us like to watch wildlife when we travel near or far. According to the most recent survey from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, in Washington alone more than 2.3 million people participate in wildlife-watching activities each year, spending upward of $1.5 billion annually on that pastime. That’s a lot of people and [Continued...]
Hiking with Dogs: The key is education not only for the dogs and the dog owners but also for the general hiking public who will surely, at some time or another, encounter dogs on trails. People with sentiments against dogs on trails will successfully push for dog bans if dog owners continue to let their canines run freely up the trails, chasing wildlife (which, depending on the species pursued, could be a state or federal offense, punishable by sizable fines and/or jail time for dog owners) and [Continued...]
ShareFirst there were flaming torches, then oil lanterns and candles. Incandescent flashlights came next and then LED lights. The new breakthrough in outdoor lighting comes from Petzl, the leader in headlamp technology. Petzl’s popular Tikka 2 series gets a refresh this year thanks to a new rechargeable — and programmable — battery pack. The Tikka XP2, with [Continued...]
