Exploration is curiosity in action. It has no limitations. Exploration desires us to become familiar with our surroundings. It even encourages us to know and thrive in the environment in which we spend the majority of our time. Exploration bestows upon us the gift of marvel and proficiency. As we are still gathering our bearings in this new city, we decided to make a day … [Read more...]
Leave No Trace
Earlier this week I was reading an open letter written by a national park volunteer. In the letter, the volunteer pleads with the public to avoid “marking their territory” within protected lands. During her written plea, she makes the argument that if you are leaving your trace behind not only are you damaging the earth, but you could quite possibly be interrupting a separate … [Read more...]
Southern Utah
The great panoramas between Capitol Reef National Park and Staircase-Escalante National Monument are truly unscathed. Diversity within the canyons, waterpocket folds, and the extensive erosion of the sandstone is almost too complex for the human eye. The Burr Trail connects these two magnificent destinations by a 66-mile partial gravel road. This particular trail’s use … [Read more...]
Kelty Trekker 65
External frames have often been considered the “traditional load horse” of outdoor packs. They have become less popular over the past few years as the internal frame has found a much more prevalent place within the outdoor retail market. Finding an outdoorsman who prefers the external can be difficult, but I found a believer. To describe Stuart is not to describe anything … [Read more...]
Nature’s Spirit
Bryce Canyon is almost unreal. When you first arrive to the park, get out of your vehicle, wipe the Pringles crumbs from your lap, and approach the overlook, you have no fair insight of what is about to happen. Then you see it.Although you are encircled by conversations in foreign languages, you know exactly what is being said. They too have just wiped the Pringles off their … [Read more...]