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Blog, Learning the Basics, Trail Kitchen

Packing food for backpacking trips can be intimidating at times. How do I keep my food from going bad? How much food will I need to bring? How do I make my food INTERESTING, not just plain granola and energy bars? If you’ve done any amount of research on conventional “backpacking” food, you’ve probably heard of or come across freeze-dried meals. Think MountainHouse, Backpacker’s Pantry, AlpineAire, etc. Not quite “astronaut” food, but a simple and easy, just add hot water option.…

Trail Logistics: Transportation to your Backcountry Destination

April 23, 2019

Blog, Insights

So you’ve mapped out your route on Caltopo, crunched numbers on the aspect ratio and elevation per mile for your route, and you’re ready to go. But wait. . . how do you even GET THERE? It’s in the middle of nowhere! Yesterday a friend of mine was talking me through her plans to hike the Colorado Trail this summer and mentioned that she was having trouble figuring out ways of getting BACK to civilization after finishing her hike. I…

Trail Reviewed – Northwoods Cheese

April 22, 2019

Blog, Trail Kitchen

It can be hard to find a balance between foods that are interesting and tasteful, and foods that hold up well on the trail. Especially cheese. True, many sharp cheeses can hold up for days at a time, but eventually they all get moldy, slimy, and gross. In preparing to hike the John Muir Trail, my Dad and I did extensive research and testing of what we wanted to eat for lunch. PB & J seemed an obvious option, but…

Visualizing Your Route on Google Earth

April 19, 2019

Blog, Learning the Basics

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Data. It’s my favorite. As an engineer, I’m a data geek, especially when it comes to the outdoors. I’d rather spend a solid few hours on Caltopo doodling around than at a party or watching a movie. No lie. For me, one of my favorite parts of expeditions is the preparation process, the lead-up and planning and all of the work that goes into creating my dream adventure. I enjoy the visualization, the homework behind understanding the route, its features…

Trail Kitchen: The “Oatmeal Bomb”

April 16, 2019

“This thing is like jet fuel.” I couldn’t agree more. Oatmeal is a staple for many hikers, its ease and packability making it a favorite for a power-packed breakfast. However, When my Dad and I were experimenting with trail meals for our thru-hike of the John Muir Trail, we wanted something more balanced than plain oats. Being the “foodies” that we are, we had analyzed macro and micro nutrients, seeking out ways to add protein, fats, and micronutrients, all the…

Summer 2019

April 12, 2019

Recently, I’ve been getting the question of “what are you doing this summer??” more and more often. As an engineering student, I’m sure the anticipated response is the name of some company or an explanation of an amazing internship that I’ll be assigned to. The Answer??. . . Chapter 1: Hayduke (early May) Beginning in early May, I will be hiking two sections of the Hayduke Trail through Utah and Arizona. The “trail” is more of a navigational route, twisting…

Cotopaxi, Ecuador

April 4, 2019

A trip to South America to climb volcanoes in Ecuador, notably Cotopaxi.

Trip Report — Kilimanjaro, Lemosho Route (May 2018)

October 16, 2018

“Pole Pole.” Slowly, slowly. Life moves with no rush, the sun rising and setting with a relaxing flow. The world’s largest free-standing mountain looming above. This adventure was different from all others. A foreign continent, red from its iron rich soil; a foreign language spoken, erecting a roadblock on communication; and a unique mountain, standing alone above savannah and lush jungle. || Day 0 – May 11, 2018|| Miami –> Istanbul –> Zanzibar –> Kilimanjaro Africa is different; that really…

Iztaccihuatl

October 8, 2018

A two-day climb of Iztaccihuatl, one of Mexico’s volcanoes over a 4-day break from classes during college.

KAF Adventures – “Dream It. Do It”

April 18, 2018

“Dream It. Do It.” Well, I couldn’t say it much better than that. My mom has always said that I needed “exertion.” I got cabin fever really easily when I was young (hell, I still do. . .), and if I didn’t get my daily exercise in I’d be bouncing off the walls. As I grew older I spent more and more time in the gym to get my “exertion.” The most recent evolution of this “exertion” has been through…

Foothills Trail Run

March 14, 2018

A fun but very painful attempt at running the Foothills Trail with no training. Do not recommend.

Dusky Track, NZ

January 1, 2018

An expedition with Georgia Tech’s outdoor recreation program (ORGT) to New Zealand to hike the Dusky Track in Fiordland National Park.

Trail Kitchen: Episode 1

November 21, 2017

Blog, Learning the Basics

What do you think of when I say “trail food?” For many people, the immediate thought is granola and Mountain House. But does it have to be this way? || The Realization: Food CAN be tasty on the trail || At the beginning of my backpacking adventures, I followed the conventional approach to “hiker food.” I brought a ton of snacks, a mix of granola bars and trail mix that kept my blood sugar stable enough until larger meals, that…

A Yummy Surprise: Hunter’s Reserve Summer Sausages

October 25, 2017