Poncho Tarp

Hey Everyone,

Ive had this little piece of gear in my day pack for at least a year now, and I don't know why Ive never done a post on it. This piece of gear happens to be the Sea to Summit Tarp-Poncho in ultra-sil. It's actually a pretty cool item to have in your kit. It's very small and pretty light weighing in at 12 ounces. Although I don't use it on backpacking trips, I do take it with me when I hike into remote native trout streams as an emergency shelter and, well, poncho. I figure that if I have to stay the night in the mountains (and I'm not backpacking of course) its because I have somehow gotten injured (If was lost I could just fallow the stream back). So with that said I most likely will not want to or be able to gather materials for a shelter. Also if I get caught in a rain storm, which I'm sure we all have at some time, I have a poncho to at least hike out in. I pair this up with a SOL Bivvy which is a high end space blanket and a small kit with a whistle, fire starting supplies, a few bandages, and some cord for a nice little survival kit (yes there is always a knife in my pocket or pack). I have added lengths of cord to the four corners for tie downs and have looped them on for easy removal for poncho mode or reconfiguring how I want to set it up. Its simple yet effective and good insurance to have if you ever have to stay the night in the woods. Heck I may even take it on a mild weather backpacking trip just to see what its like.

See you on the trail,
Lance

p.s. I should also note that I take a small aluminum water bottle as well which I can use to boil water. You can do the same for bring some other way to treat water.

Ebira

I spent my Friday in the backcountry, on a small trout stream, Tenkara fishing. I was also testing out a new product, the Ebira. All I can say is this thing is awsome! I consider it a must have for the backcountry Tenkara fly fisherman.



If you want to know more about the Ebira or Tenkara. Leave a comment below or chat with Jason, myself, and other like minded folks at backpackflyfishing.com

See you on the trail,
Lance

Footwear

Hey Everyone,

When I'm at events or teaching classes I always get the question, "What brand of hiking boots/shoes do you wear". I always start my response with, "Well, I've been hiking ______ but...". The fact of the matter is, I feel that footwear is one piece of gear that you shouldn't copy just because it's popular. Sure, there are some companies out there that the majority of people will find comfortable and you should go try them on. However, just because that's what you see a lot of other people wearing doesn't mean it will be best for you. Here is a perfect example. I have read several backpacking web sites and forums, and I have heard a lot of great things about Solomon hiking shoes like the XA pro. So, I went to a local shop to try them on. Well, when I went to take a step my heel lifted about 3/8 of an inch out of the heel cup. I'm sure that you all know that, if I was to get them anyhow, I would have been headed straight for blisterville. I am once again in the market for some new hiking shoes, and sure, I'll check out the local shops and try on all the well known brands like montrail, inov8, and merrel, but don't be surprised if you see me on the trail in a pair of asics or new balance. The point that I'm trying to make is, hike what is comfortable to you. It shouldn't matter if they are two hundred dollars and float when you take them off, or if you got them on clearance for three bucks with a stain on the toe. Your feet are your vehicles out there, and if they break down, you break down.

p.s. dont forget to bring a pair of your actual hiking socks with you.

See you on the trail,
Lance

Foothills Trail Gear

This one is a little longer so i cut it into two parts. These videos cover almost everything for my 9.5 lb base pack weight.