My first Outdoor Retailer Summer Market was cray cray. 24 scheduled meetings packed into two and a half days. By the time Saturday rolled around, things were so quiet I didn’t quite know what to do with myself. I was so thankful that my friends over at Teton Sports always throw a sweet #hikerchat hike post-show.
In the past few months, I’ve been embarking on a ton of solo-esque adventures, sleeping in tents alone, all that jazz. I don’t really need to lug around a 2-person tent for one, so I’ve been turning to my Teton Sports Mountain Ultra 1 on all my trips.
With summer backpacking in full swing and fall backpacking just on the horizon, the Mountain Hardwear Ozonic 50 OutDry Backpack is a solid carry to have.
I’m going to let you in a little secret. Lately I’ve been pretty lazy, and I’m learning that it’s okay. It’s okay to not have an epic peak to bag. It’s okay to not put in tens of miles in one weekend. It’s okay to take it easy, find a beautiful spot and just chill.
That’s what I did for the 4th of July and when I took my brother out for his first time in the backcountry. Sometimes I need it. And on those trips, I tend to load up my pack with little luxuries like the Tribe Provisions Adventure Hammock. I mean, a couple extra ounces or even a few extra pounds doesn’t hurt for those short trips, right?
My little brother just got back from a brief stint of backpacking through Europe. With his heart still full of adventure, he asked me to take him out somewhere, anywhere. He didn’t give me any criteria and said he was down for whatever, but the first time someone goes backpacking will obviously make or break their experience. After much hemming and hawing, Meiss Lake in Mokelumne Wilderness was my pick.





