While I love pulling up in a vehicle to a campsite and unloading right there, there’s something extra rewarding and enjoyable about backcountry camping where you have to park at a trailhead and hike your gear in. If you’ve never gone backpacking or camping in the backcountry, it can seem daunting, so we’ve made a handy guide for getting started! Pack Light While you may think you want that cozy blanket or two hardcover books to read now, once you’ve been carrying them for a few hours you’ll regret it. No matter how far you’re hiking, packing light is very important. Your pack should... Read More

You are a devout outdoorsman or outdoorswoman and nothing less than apocalyptic plague of locust would stop you from racing up mountains, rambling through rivers, or taking Zibeon, your falcon, out for a jaunt. A great place to start is   at the Hessie Trailhead, which leads into the Indian Peaks Wilderness, no matter your level of outdoorsy-ness. I list several hike options below ranging from easy to difficult. Easy Hikes First Waterfalls on Middle Boulder Creek: A very short hike from the actual trailhead, and just over 0.6 mile from parking along the easy access road, you can access the... Read More

Whether you are planning on sleeping in your truck to catch that first chairlift, doing some late fall or winter camping, ski touring, mountaineering, or even snow caving, picking a good winter sleeping bag can be tough. There are a ton of options, and prices, and shapes, and features. Just going to REI can be overwhelming, to say the least.  So, I am going to break down what you need to look for exactly in order of importance. 1 – Price This gets listed first because everyone has a budget when it comes to buying gear.  You should know, however, that when looking at real winter sleeping... Read More

Spring is right around the corner and this time of year for Boulder is lively and energetic! Luckily, this winter has been a pretty mild one but people like Katie can’t wait for the consistent warm weather. Katie is an outdoor enthusiast and avid hiker. She works in retail during the day and bar tends by night and her busy work life balances out with her busy social life. She said her favorite thing about Boulder is the endless amounts of micro brews to check out with family and friends. “Even though I’m working a lot, I love interacting with people and love the jobs I do. So... Read More

This Portland, Oregon native just moved to Colorado in the middle of January to experience the mountain lifestyle. Meet Allison, an outdoor enthusiast and world traveler! Allison originally knew she was bitten by the travel bug ten years ago right before she started college. She participated in a study abroad program in Copenhagen that allowed her to travel all throughout Europe for 6 months. Since then, Allison took a year to move back to Oregon to pack her things and see her friends and family before she was off to her next destination, San Francisco. In the past few years, she has traveled... Read More

A good weekend for this Virginia native consists of spending time in the mountains. Mike, an avid outdoorsman from Williamsburg, Virginia, drove across the country to the Colorado Rockies just over two years ago after graduating from Virginia Tech with a Biology degree. He said moving here was the best decision he could have made and he hasn’t looked back. Currently, Mike is living in Firestone with a few of his buddies and his dog, Lucas. You can find him working at the local Boulder brewery and restaurant, BRU Handbuilt Ales & Eats, a great place for delicious, unique beers and gourmet... Read More

You don’t need a reason to celebrate with coffee but the holiday season is a great time to give the gift of coffee. Whether you’re shopping for the backpacker or the urban dweller in your life, my coffee gift guide has got you covered.   Camper’s Coffee Gift Guide: Stumptown’s Voyager Brew Kit is the perfect present for the coffee enthusiast who is also an outdoor adventurer. While pricey, it does come with a ton of supplies—a manual grinder, coffee dripper, mug, and a bag of Stumptown’s Hair Bender blend are all included in this excellent kit.   AeroPress Coffee Maker is... Read More