ajtestbed When my uncle got sick a few years back, my dad and aunt took a road trip to southern Oregon to pick up something their brother had always dreamed of: a turquoise VW van, complete with a Merry Pranksters sticker on the dash. The van wasn’t cheap, efficient, or reliable, but it did have style. Something about … Read more
What separates a good camp meal from a great one? We’ve all had our share of middle-of-the-road meals while camping: perfectly adequate at the time, but entirely forgettable in hindsight. But we’ve also had a handful of dinners that have completely knocked our socks off. So, what’s the difference? The truth is nobody cares how … Read more
Recently, I was standing in my neighborhood liquor store trying to decide whether I should buy a bottle of scotch or a six-pack of good beer for a friend of mine. I was borrowing his set of ice tools and seven ice screws for a trip to the Ouray Ice Park. My girlfriend does not … Read more
I hate running, three to four times a week if I have time. I hated it yesterday for a little over an hour. I have three different pairs of shoes I hate running in. Every time I run, I pick one pair, and I go out and run in them, and I enjoy it about … Read more
There’s a reason that winter is soup season. When you’re exploring in colder weather, it takes more than a peanut butter and jelly sandwich to tide you over. You want something hot and filling. This simple vegetarian curry recipe is the answer to just that. It’s easy to make at home and put in a … Read more
My very first foray into the Yosemite backcountry occurred in The Year of Our Backpacking Naiveté, 2010. My friend Rebecca and I were avid day hikers at the time, but distinctly lacking in overnight experience, so we enlisted her college pal Laura, then a ranger at the park, to act as trail companion and erstwhile … Read more
Cold winter mornings should be met with strong coffee and a cozy meal. While a steaming bowl of porridge is a winter breakfast go-to, if you’re looking for something a little more fun and festive, these pumpkin pancakes are for you. Just be sure to wear your wool liner gloves while cooking. What’s great about … Read more
You know what really brings a group of people together in the outdoors? No, not the person with all the compelling stories or funny jokes. No, not a shared love of some method of locomotion such as climbing or mountain biking. Me. Campfire. That’s what brings people together. I’m not trying to be arrogant about … Read more
If you’re looking for something hearty, comforting, and healthy the next time you’re out camping, you need to try this vegan sweet potato peanut stew. We recently cooked up a pot of it over our campfire in Anza Borrego and it was everything we could have hoped for and more. If you’re looking for something … Read more
Winter storm Blanche has brought some desperately needed dumpage to the northern half of the States, but despite that and the bright spot that is Whistler, it’s been a slow start to the snow season. “The first half of November was bone dry over the western U.S.,” wrote snow savant Tony Crocker, “and it was … Read more