by Brian Patton | Mar 24, 2017 | Outdoor gear |
With the onset of spring, most well-travelled winter trails turn into skating rinks with the daily freeze-thaw cycle. That’s why I decided to store my skis and snowshoes and try a well-reviewed pair of Hillsound Trail Crampon Ultras. For serious hiking on... by Brian Patton | Jul 18, 2016 | Outdoor gear |
For over 50 years outdoor folk have been using insect repellents containing DEET (N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide), but there are alternatives. In concentrations of 15% or more, it has been the most effective and reliable barrier against mosquitoes, ticks, and other... by Brian Patton | Dec 9, 2015 | Outdoor gear, Technology |
When we set out to create the first edition of the Canadian Rockies Trail Guide, we needed a way of accurately measuring the trails, many of which had never been measured before. Professional surveying wheels with their small wheels and substantial weight were out of... by Brian Patton | Nov 17, 2015 | Outdoor gear, Technology |
Technology continues to bloom in the backcountry, but one of the best and simplest I discovered this summer is the Luci solar-powered light. LED lights are nothing new on the trail. LED light output and reliability is used in headlamps and even strip-lights to... by Brian Patton | Sep 6, 2015 | Outdoor gear, Technology |
“I have been one acquainted with the night. / I have walked out in rain—and back in rain. / I have outwalked the furthest city light.”—Robert Frost Every day-hiking checklist tells you to pack a headlamp or flashlight and extra batteries. I must admit, I... by Brian Patton | Aug 2, 2015 | Outdoor gear |
What’s the best way to protect yourself from the sun while hiking? Not a question I lingered over during my career outdoors in the Canadian Rockies. But after keeping surgeons on both sides of the Great Divide amused last winter removing lesions from a lifetime...