I don’t understand the continued use of white gas stoves, such as the iconic MSR Whisperlite, on wilderness trips. White gas stoves are the standard at Philmont, Northern Tier, and among many scout troops. As far as I can tell, there are only two advantages of white gas stoves: Outside of these rare scenarios, canisterContinue reading “Why Canister Stoves Beat White Gas Stoves (or why White Gas Stoves suck)”
Tag Archives: backpacking
Canoeing at Northern Tier High Adventure Base
For me this is the summer of scout canoe trips. Last week my oldest daughter and I went on a week-long canoe trip in the Boundary Waters of northern Minnesota with a crew from Troop 19 in Austin. Instead of using a private outfitter, we booked our trip with the Northern Tier High Adventure Base.Continue reading “Canoeing at Northern Tier High Adventure Base”
Family-Friendly Backpacking in Big Bend National Park
Just after the New Year, the Smith family went on a two-night backcountry trip to the High Chisos in Big Bend National Park. This was our first family desert trip, and it was a lot of fun. Most Big Bend backpacking trips are challenging because you must carry your own water. There are a fewContinue reading “Family-Friendly Backpacking in Big Bend National Park”
Philmont Overview
I just returned from a nine-day trek at Philmont Scout Ranch with my son’s scout troop (Austin Troop 33). It was great fun. This is the first in a series of posts on what to expect, how to prepare, and vital tips for a successful Philmont trek. At the end of the series, I willContinue reading “Philmont Overview”
Vamonos Baby! 