Outdoor Adventure
Trip date: June 9-16, 2021.
This was my second thru-hike of the TRT. On my first TRT hike in 2018, I missed out on much of the views due to wildfire smoke. This time around, I headed out earlier in the summer to avoid getting caught in the middle of fire season. The 2020-2021 winter was the third-driest winter on record, so the snow was not a major issue despite the early date.
Continue reading “Tahoe Rim Trail 2021 trip report – 8 days, 182 miles”
Trip date: May 7-9, 2021.
The third time’s the charm. After two unsuccessful plans to hike in Hetch Hetchy (the first one because of an early snowstorm and the second because of COVID closures), I was finally headed to explore the northern parts of Yosemite National Park. I was joined by Brandon and Steve, the same guys I backpacked with in Kings Canyon last summer, certified ultralight nerds and awesome adventurers.
Continue reading “Hetch Hetchy backpacking trip (3 days, 31 miles)”
Although I managed to get in a few great hikes in 2020, like the Kings Canyon trip, I wasn’t comfortable doing a longer hike that required resupplying during the pandemic. As the COVID situation is finally improving in the US, I want to do a proper thru-hike in 2021. I want to spend the better part of two weeks on the trail to get into the long-distance backpacking rhythm.
Continue reading “Tahoe Rim Trail 2021 backpacking: planning and gear list”
2020 has been a tough year for backpacking in California. Most parks and forests were closed in the early season due to COVID restrictions. After a short summer, the Californa fire season kicked in, forcing most Californians to stay home for almost two months because of unhealthy smoke levels.
Continue reading “30-mile overnighter in California’s Emigrant Wilderness”
I met Brandon and Steve last year on an adventure trip organized by Andrew Skurka in Rocky Mountain National Park. We decided already during the trip that we should plan another adventure together since we all live near each other in California.
Continue reading “6-day backpacking adventure in Kings Canyon”
My previous backpacking trip to Desolation Wilderness had been a nice and leisurely weekend stroll. This time around, I wanted something more physically demanding and adventurous. I wanted to go higher, farther, and off-trail. Ideally, I wanted to go to Ansel Adams wilderness to revisit some of my favorite places along the JMT.
Continue reading “Awesome 3-night JMT & PCT backpacking trip in Ansel Adams”
As you start spending more time on the trail, you’ll quickly realize that Mountain House and other commercial backpacking meals can blow your budget fast.
Continue reading “Bacon mac and cheese: 2-ingredient easy backpacking meal”
My friend Joonas and I had been planning an early June hiking trip to Hetch Hetchy in Yosemite. We had a permit for June 4. Unfortunately for us, they opened for backpacking on the 5th, which meant we needed to find an alternate trip.
Continue reading “3 days of awe-inspiring backpacking in Desolation Wilderness”
Emigrant Wilderness is in Stanislaus National Forest, North of Yosemite. Like Yosemite, it has towering granite mountains and spectacular alpine lakes. But it’s much less crowded than its neighbor to the South, offering more solitude for backpacking.
Continue reading “3-day spectacular Emigrant Wilderness backpacking loop”
For me, the best way to learn new skills is to work with experts. Most of my backpacking has been on established trails until now. I wanted to learn the skills needed to safely and confidently start planning my own off-trail adventures. Andrew Skurka is one of the backpackers who I’ve followed online for several years. I’ve learned a lot from his insightful articles and videos, so when I saw that he’s arranging guided trips, I knew I wanted to go on one.
Continue reading “Rocky Mountain National Park backpacking trip with Andrew Skurka”