2020 Archive

This week's article is not adventure related, but instead, pandemic related. This is the first time in decades that the world has faced a challenge as a whole. It saddens me to know that instead of uniting us, and fighting together, it divided the population even more so than it already was. I found this funny article, and being a GEN Xer myself, found it to be somewhat true, so I decided to share it with all of you. Enjoy! Sorry Boomers and Too Bad Millennials — Only One Gen

On a normal day, choosing a pair of underwear might not take more thought than asking yourself if it’s clean or not. But, when you’re heading out for a hike, your choice of skivvies can have a big impact on comfort. (That is, if you decide to wear underwear at all; some hikers will skip undergarments altogether and choose a pair of shorts with built-in briefs or they may even go commando, both of which are viable options if you find them comfy.)   However, the majority of hi

When you step outdoors, the ancient art of layering becomes your smart-technology thermostat. This tried-and-true strategy lets you regulate comfort by slipping layers on and off as your activity level or the weather changes. How to layer:   To understand layering your clothing for outdoor activities, you need to know the function of each layer:   Base layer  (underwear layer): wicks sweat off your skin Middle layer  (insulating layer): retains body heat to protect you from t

So you’re buying your first backpacking stove, or picking which to use for an upcoming trip? With so many options on the market it can be tough to know what type to look for. This brief overview may help explain the differences and point you towards the proper tool to make your meals hot for years to come. Backpacking stoves can be divided into three basic types: Liquid fuel, canister, and quick-boil. Liquid fuel stoves attach to their fuel bottles via a fuel line that keeps

Packing the “Ten Essentials” whenever you step into the backcountry, even on day hikes, is a good habit. True, on a routine trip you may use only a few of them or none at all. It’s when something goes awry that you’ll truly appreciate the value of carrying these items that could be essential to your survival. The original Ten Essentials list was assembled in the 1930s by The Mountaineers, a Seattle-based organization for climbers and outdoor adventurers, to help people be pre

Kittens, campfires and thorny bushes all have it in for your jacket, and just one little hole can let lots of precious down fly free. Luckily, patching small holes is pretty simple. Here’s what you need: Gear repair tape, such as Tenacious Tape™ Scissors Rubbing alcohol A rag Here’s how to patch your down jacket: Pull feathers back in:  If there are any feathers sticking out of the hole, pinch them from the other side and pull them back inside the jacket. Cut the patch:  Use

To get the most out of your GORE-TEX® outerwear and help it last longer, keep it clean. The following information describes some basic cleaning procedures. But always read and follow the care instructions sewn into any GORE-TEX garment before you wash it.   Laundry Instructions It's easy to wash your GORE-TEX outerwear: Machine wash the garment in warm water with a small amount of liquid detergent. Avoid powder detergents, fabric softeners or bleach. Technical fabric cleaner

What concerns many novice backpackers or hikers even more than bears and blisters is, “How do I go to the bathroom in the woods?” Rest assured, it’s something humans have been doing for millennia. Before you go, make sure you do the following first: Learn about Leave No Trace  ethics.  One of the best things you can do for your fellow campers is to leave the ground as clean or cleaner than you found it. Find out if there are any regulations on human waste  in the area where y

A first-aid kit, as well as the training to use it, is one of the Ten Essentials  that’s universally known yet rarely thought about. When you need to reach for yours, though, you’ll be grateful for the time you spent to ensure yours is up to the task. Even if you pack only a small first-aid kit, you’ll have a great resource for treating minor issues and for preventing them from becoming major ones. Managing aches and pains also makes any trip more enjoyable.   You can buy a p

If you want to put together the ultimate layering system, then start by focusing on the foundation of that system—your underwear (aka “base layer”). Comfort in the outdoors starts with the layer that touches your skin. You have three key considerations in choosing a base layer: Material matters: Fabric is your most important decision. Whether you go with a synthetic or a natural one, you need it to wick well (move sweat off your skin). Weighty decisions: It’s pretty much “lig

In winter, consuming hearty, nutrient-dense foods goes a long way toward keeping you warm. Stoke your inner furnace with these three energy-packed recipes. Cream Cheese Bean Dip This Superbowl party favorite never lasts long in camp. Makes 2 servings.   1 cup instant refried beans 6 Tbsp cream cheese powder 4 Tbsp sour cream powder 1.5 oz. cheddar cheese 2 Tbsp taco seasoning 1 4.25 oz. bag of Fritos 2 single-serving packets of salsa   At Home: Pack refried beans, cream chees

It's getting colder out there, and as much as you want to get out there, sometimes that winter weather leads to procrastination. Here's a little article to help end that cycle! Remember summer? When you rode your bike in the sun and watched sunsets from your campsite at 9pm? Well, it’s over. But that doesn’t mean the end of outdoor activity – it just means adapting and getting stoked for a new season. Here’s our advice on getting outside in fall and winter for 2020: 1. Sort y

Winter is fast approaching, and so, I thought this weeks article could be useful. It doesn’t have to be the middle of winter to make cold weather a concern on your hiking trip. Depending on where you live and where you’re hiking, you can encounter cold temperatures any time of year that can make your trip uncomfortable, or worse, cause a serious injury or illness. To have a more pleasant adventure, first arm yourself with some tips and knowledge for cold-weather hiking, inclu

With the fall upon us, and winter coming up quickly, I thought this would be an excellent topic for this weeks Good to Know. Snow, water, dirt and pebbles have a way of sneaking into even the most waterproof of boots. To prevent this, put on some gaiters. Gaiters cover the vulnerable tops of your footwear to fully protect your feet from the elements. Gaiter shopping is not complicated. This article will educate you on the different types of gaiters and help you choose the rig

We've all felt it. That moment when you look toward the horizon, only to see some dark, ominous clouds heading your way. Rain! As much as you don't want it to dampen your plans (pun intended), you've mentally prepared yourself for a soggy hike into camp, putting up a wet tent, and wishing you were back in the comfort of your own home. We can't stop the rain, but we sure have found a few ways to be better prepared for it.   Here are a few tried and true tips, tricks, and sugge

This weeks Good to Know topic is a very hot topic every since the Ultra Light backpacking fad started. It causes many arguements in hiking and backpacking forums, and is one of the most important pieces of information you can have before heading out on the trail. I cringe every day when browsing through the forums, and see long time experienced backpackers telling brand new hikers and backpackers they don't need boot, and suggest trail runners. This could be dangerous! So let

For casual hikers, particularly day hikers trying to fit in a quick hike in the wilderness and knowing how long a hike will take is of utmost importance. Many times a hiking trail will list its mileage but not an estimated time to complete it, leaving hikers to guess or, worse, set off hoping they'll make it back before the rain or sunset hits. No matter where or how you hike, there are certain variables you can consider when trying to mathematically estimate how long it will

Sorry guys, but as I am in a bit of a rush this week, I am just going to post links to 3 great articles instead of typing out an article for you.   I figure this pandemic had many of us couped up for a while, and we may have lost some of that strength and stamina. Or maybe you are new to backpacking, and not quite sure what your limitations are yet. In any case, backpacking is a physical challenge, utilizing muscles we didn't even know we had. Here are three great articles th

Ontario has some of the most varied landscapes in Canada. From the hard granite of the Canadian shield to the mossy ferns of Canada’s southernmost tip , this province is an outdoor-lovers paradise. And when trying to narrow down the most beautiful hikes in Ontario, there is a huge swath of territory to consider. Luckily the Ultimate Ontario community  has a large number of nature lovers in its midst. Our awesome members jumped at the chance to help us narrow down the best hik

Don't let a poorly-loaded backpack put a damper on your next adventure in the backcountry. Learn how to pack it the right way—with efficiency, convenience and comfort in mind. Backpacks have come a long way since the 70’s, when hikers swore by (and at) bulky external frames and nifty side pockets were few and far between. Nowadays, there’s any number of high-tech packs that help you lug more gear longer, and farther, than ever before. But it's still critical that you know how