The Anphibs are nice but I switched to sandles for even more ventilation. I got a pair of Keen Newport H2s. They have good traction on wet surfaces and on trails. They also have a covered toe. I love them. My wife also has a pair and she loves them. http://www.keenfootwear.com/women/newportH2.html

I picked up a Garmin Foretrex 201 recently and It rocks! Very small.(Think Large Watch) So far its been very acurate, even in dense vegitation when compared to registered benchmarks. Also its fully water proof. It's pretty minamalist on functions, but all I really want is a grid and a place to store...

While in the GC, a buddy had his pack chewed through by a ringtail for some toothpaste. Tottaly destroyed his pack, sleeping bag, a jacket, and our cooking tarp. So I'd say put anything that smells in a bear bag. This months backpacker magazine has a great "how to" on bear bags. Another op...

Well fitting footware is the key. Try on many pairs. If you don't want a boot, a good trail running shoe may be for you. Trail runners have a solid shank in them to help with pointy rocks and have a sole for rough terrain. Either way you go socks are just as important as shoes. Stay away from cotton...

mikeinFHAZ wrote:hey John, do you know the Berty's in Hereford?

No, sorry. Good folks?

It is highly recomended use a carbon pre-filter due to possible heavy metal contamination. You must contact the BLM in Sierra Vista at (520) 439-6400 for current information because sometimes of the year (mostly summer) floods cause run of from the mines and fields near Canena, Mexico to come north ...

San Pedro is nice this time of year. Lots of water in from a wet winter. Its not too hot and the border crossers are using the Huachuca Mountains to the west by this time of year. It's a good alternitive to Araviapa if you can't reserve a permit.

Sorry I couldn't finish the post. I was cut off at work. And now for the rest of the story. After she passed me, the precarious rodent climbed up my pant leg looking for a hand out. Dispite telling it to “shoo,” it was adamant about getting an easy snack. I ended up having to whack it with my ball c...

While in Yellowstone I saw a woman come screaming down the trail with a rather plump ground squirrel in hot pursuit. Damnedest thing I've ever seen on the trail.

I totaly agree with MikeinFHAZ, ultra-light is the way to go. Its not just a gear thing though, it a mindset. Checkout Beyond Backpacking by Ray Jardine. He's a bit oppionated, (well, alot oppionated) but has lots of great tips even for you old men (and ladies) of the mountain. The best way to start...

PS--Just give me ONE GOOD REASON WHY you don't need a map and compass and let's let the HAZ Jury decide if your logic holds water. I've found my magnetic personality throws off a compass so much I haven't bothered carrying one in years! :wink: Seriously though, I whole heartedly agree with you. The...

It's out there but it costs and arm and a leg. Check E-Bay for a used one to avoid sticker shock as the sleep system the bivy is a part of runs just under $500 from places like Ranger Joes or Brigade QM. I haven't seen the bivy sold sperately from either of those stores as well.

The new issue sleeping bag comes with a FANTASTIC (yes, they actualy got something right) Gortex bivy sack. Beats the poncho in ease of set up and you can't even compare it to the old shelter half.

For weekends I'm using a Mountainsmith Ghost. It has 2800 cui of space and only weighs a hair over 2lbs. It also has a large internal pocket for a camelback/hydration bladder. The suspension is plush and it handle 25-30lbs with ease. You can find them for well under $150.