• Upper Crabtree Lake, Sierra Nevada

100 Peaks Included in The Big Southern California Bloggers Interview

best-hike-infographic

Just as a heads up, I was included in the The Big Southern California Bloggers Interview. This was a fun emailed list of questions about my experience and recommendations, which was compiled with other answers from other bloggers in the Southern California region. It was fun to be included with … [Read more...]

100 Peaks Gets Featured on Its Second Podcast – In Ice Axe We Trust

In Ice Axe We Trust

I tweeted about it back in January, but forgot to mention it here. I was interviewed and otherwise included in the podcast called In Ice Axe We Trust, hosted by The Last Adventurer and The Peak Seeker. It was a light-hearted chat about hiking in San Diego, getting in shape for hiking, and … [Read more...]

Buystand – A great deal, but a limited selection, for now

buystand

A new gear reseller called BUYSTAND recently reached out to me, curious if I would try out their website. In return, they gave me some credit towards a purchase of a product. I reviewed their site and decided it was worth a shot. Think of their business model as Priceline meets REI. You browse … [Read more...]

Family Trip Part 2 – Bryce Canyon National Park

Thor's Hammer at Bryce Canyon National Park

After we were done visiting Zion National Park, we headed out to Bryce Canyon National Park. We were basically recreating the trip I took when I was a child. While we were sad to say goodbye to Zion, we were excited what we would find down the road. --- We took the Zion-Mount Carmel Highway … [Read more...]

Family Trip Part 1 – Zion National Park: Emerald Pools, Weeping Rock, and Angels Landing

Zion Canyon from Angel's Landing

Continuing our trend for visiting National Parks, we decided to visit two on one trip. Zion National Park and Bryce Canyon National Park are both parks that I visited when I was a child. Seeing it through my daughter’s eyes was an added bonus. A trend I have seen in National Parks since my … [Read more...]

Beyond the Mountain – By Steve House – A book review

Beyond The Mountain - Steve House

Disclaimer: This book, Beyond the Mountain, by Steve House was given to me by a Patagonia Press representative with no commitment from me to blog about it. The following review is my honest opinion of my experience reading the book. --- Not to compare myself to Steve House, an exceptional … [Read more...]

Point Mugu State Park – Camping with Another Old Friend

Boney Mountain from the Fireline Trail

When my oldest friend and I were working out a good place to camp, Point Mugu State Park came to mind as an ideal spot at the midway point between us. It turned out to be a great weekend. And something that should happen more often than once every 40 years. Update 05/03/2013: Many, if not all, of … [Read more...]

Montecito Peak – Peak #1 – This Time with the Family

A chilly morning with Montecito Peak in the distance

Recently, my daughter indicated that she wanted to climb Montecito Peak. I let her know that a good way would be to start from the top of the ridge and climb down to it, since the climb from the bottom is ~7 miles and can be pretty steep. Disappointed, she insisted that we try it from the bottom. … [Read more...]

Gear Review – Avex Brazos Water Bottle – More water for me

Avex Brazos doesn't fit into the water dispesner. Not tragic.

Disclaimer: Avex sent me a free water bottle (Avex Brazos) for me to field test. There was no requirement for me to blog about it, either positively or negatively, but I'd bet they hoped I did. A water bottle is a water bottle. I have a bunch of them. Some from Nalgene, Life is Good, and my … [Read more...]

Valencia Peak – Peak #15 – Camping at Montaña De Oro State Park with an Old Friend

Reamo exploring the rugged coastline

Valencia Peak Elevation: 1,347′ Miles: 4 Trail head Agency: Montaña de Oro State Park One of the ways I like to stay in touch with long-time friends is to schedule camping trips. Most of my friends are not as avid outdoors people as I am, so I can't expect them to jump at the chance of a … [Read more...]