Hiking Gear: Winterization

Getting my hiking and backpacking gear winter ready, and also got a new pair of snowshoes.

#heavymetalhiker #snowshoe #pnw #wanderlust #backpacking

Grab a friend & Get outdoors!

Be Informed, Be Alert, Play it Safe and Always Safety First!

~The Heavy Metal Hiker \m/

Must have book!

So very excited to have to finally own this: "Mountaineering: The Freedom of the Hills"
This book is considered by many, "the Bible" of mountaineering, and has been the trusted resource and go to "manual"  on the sport for the last 60 years.

Going to go through this cover to cover and is another step closer to bigger and greater adventures!! 

#heavymetalhiker

Grab a friend & Get outdoors!

Be Informed, Be Alert, Play it Safe and Always Safety First!

~The Heavy Metal Hiker \m/

How to Make the Transition to Mountaineering (Video)

Here is an excellent video that I stumbled upon on while I was doing some research on climbing.

It's about making the transition to Mountaineering; from day hiking, to summiting Mt Rainier. 

It does a great job covering all the aspects of the sport. The scope of needed skills, needed mental and physical training, the basics/mountaineering 101, resources, etc.

The video is a excellent watch if you are just curious about the sport,
or are already interested but don't know how and/or where to start:

https://youtu.be/VpJiEiyL8oY

Video is made by and property of, Mountain Ascent Association.

Grab a friend & Get outdoors!

Be Informed, Be Alert, Play it Safe and Always Safety First!

~The Heavy Metal Hiker \m/

Beacon Rock - Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area (2017)

Grab a friend & Get outdoors!

Be Informed, Be Alert, Play it Safe and Always Safety First!

~The Heavy Metal Hiker \m/

Mt. Rainier National Park ~ Labor Day Weekend (2017)

Grab a friend & Get outdoors!

Be Informed, Be Alert, Play it Safe and Always Safety First!

~The Heavy Metal Hiker \m/

Silver Star Mountain - Gifford Pinchot Forrest - Southwest Washington - Lewis River Region

Grab a friend & Get outdoors!

Be Informed, Be Alert, Play it Safe and Always Safety First!

~The Heavy Metal Hiker \m/

My Core Backpacking & Hiking Gear List

Hi folks!! 

I have had a lot of people that ask me what do I bring with me when I hike or go backpacking. Well what I have listed below is my core backpacking and hiking gear list. I don't bring EVERYTHING I have on this list, but rather take only what I need for the trip that I am going on. Distance, weather, terrain, wildlife, etc all play a factor in what I decide to bring. But without getting into the nitty-gritty details of it all (I will go over stuff more thoroughly and in more detail in later posts), here is my "core" breakdown of my essential gear. Everything listed here can be found via Amazon:

Shelter & Sleeping:

ALPS Mountaineering Lynx 1-Person Tent
ALPS Mountaineering Lynx 1 Person Tent Floor Saver
Winner Outfitters Double Camping Hammock - Lightweight Nylon Portable Hammock
Klymit Static V2 Inflatable Sleeping Pad
Therm-a-Rest Z Lite Sol Mattress
TETON Sports TrailHead +20F Ultralight Sleeping Bag
Nemo FILLO Luxury Backpacking & Camping Pillow (Moss Green)

Hiking Clothing:
The North Face Men's Venture Jacket
The North Face Fuseform DOT Matrix Jacket
Columbia Sportswear Men's Tech Trek Shirt
Columbia Men's Silver Ridge Convertible Pants
Columbia Men's Silver Ridge Lite Long Sleeve Shirt
prAna Stretch Zion Waterproof Hiking Pants
A4 Men's Cooling Performance Crew Short Sleeve Tee
Timberland Flannel Heathered Shirt
SmartWool Hike Socks
Carhartt Men's Arctic Wool Heavy Boot Socks
CTR Tempest Micro Fleece Balaclava with Windproof Face Mask
Vasque Men's St. Elias Gore-Tex Backpacking Boot
New Balance Men's Fresh Foam Hierro Trail Shoe

General Hiking Gear:
CamelBak Cloud Walker 18 Hydration Pack
TETON Sports Scout 3400 Internal Frame Backpack w/ Free Rain Cover
Platypus Big Zip LP Water Reservoir (for TETON Scout 3400) ~ 3-Liter
Coghlan's Lightweight Dry Bag, 55-Liter
MTN 34" BLUE All Terrain Snowshoes w/ Free Nordic Poles & Carrying Bag
Therm-a-Rest Z Seat
Gear Aid Tenacious Tape Max Flex Stretch Patches
Sportneer Military Lensatic Sighting Compass with Carrying Bag
Light My Fire Swedish FireSteel 2.0 Army 12,000 Strike Fire Starter with Emergency Whistle
All-Weather Emergency 2-IN-1 Fire Starter & Magnesium Fuel Bar
UCO Stormproof Match Kit with Waterproof Case
2 Person Mylar Thermal Shelter
Emergency 3A Thermal Mylar Blanket
First Aid Kit
Frontiersman Bear Spray with Chest or Belt Holster
LIFESTRAW Go Water Bottle
Sawyer Products Mini Water Filtration System
4-Mode LED Headlight
GSI OUTDOORS - Halulite 1.8L Boiler
Primus Classic Trail Stove
Jetboil Jetpower 4-Season Fuel Blend -100 Gram
Solar Charger
Fixed Blade Outdoor Tonto Knife w/ Paracord Wrapped Handle

Toiletries:
Camping Toothbrush & Toothpaste
Bodyglide Original Anti-Chafe Balm
GlacierGel Blister and Burn Dressing
Coleman Bio-Wipes
Repel Sportsmen Max Insect Repellent 40% DEET Spray ~ 6-Ounce

Grab a friend & Get outdoors!
Be Informed, Be Alert, Play it Safe and Always Safety First!
~The Heavy Metal Hiker \m/