Bubbly rich goodness
If the thought of another PB&J or more than two dehydrated meals on a single trip makes you cringe, then maybe it’s time to think about a fresh, hearty meal as something that you can have anywhere, anytime … as long as you’re willing to put a little effort into preparation. One of my all-time favorite meals is Hungarian Goulash, and regardless of the season, the craving for this rich stew hits me with force and eventually leads to submission. Read More …
Light and refreshing
Summer is officially here, and what better place is there to be than standing in front of a hot grill or over open coals? Well, actually, we can think of several places: climbing multiple pitches up a new route, bombing down in full armor on fat tires, or paddling in chilly runoff, for example.
How about a compromise? We’ll all step up to the fiery grill if it involves creating a delicious dinner of grilled meat, fruit, and vegetables. Yeah, compromise is pretty easy when it involves refreshing food that doesn’t steal precious stomach space reserved for a few cold brews, deliciously crisp vino, or your favorite stiff-one at the end of a hot day. Read More …
Although cooking outside shouldn’t mean you have to sacrifice a feast of multiple courses and gourmet concoctions, there are those times when simplicity is king. Car camping, backyard cookouts, and tailgating parties can offer some of the best gastronomical experiences under the sun or stars, but what about those isolated trips into the wilderness? What if your normal meals come from the college mess hall, and you just need a break from bad lasagna but don’t have the funds for a filet mignon? You can eat well (and cheaply) in the wilderness with dehydrated meals and put a sufficient pre-party, alcohol-absorbing layer in your stomach with a 50-cent noodle packet, but there is one meal that is synonymous with terms like hearty, piping hot, and damn cheap—Hobo Potatoes. Read More …
Choosing Your Water Weapon (Paddle)
Photo by Tommy Chandler
As the boat is the most important purchase in kayaking, the paddle certainly should not be an afterthought. As paddle sizing is dictated by your size, boat size, and type of paddling you will do, selecting the appropriate paddle that suits you and your budget will take a little research. We’ll start with a key feature associated with all kayak paddles and basic terminology of paddling techniques. Read More …
Photo courtesy of Jody McCurty, #1,266 on the Leaderboard
Kayak Basics: What Floats Your Boat
Sure, every kayak floats. (If it doesn’t, that’s going to be a major issue). But there are so many available in every shape, size, and price range, that it can be a bit mind-boggling for the paddling newbie to muddle through the choices. Here we’ve compiled a simple breakdown of kayak types and features to steer you in the right direction—because you wouldn’t want to take a touring kayak through Class IV rapids, nor would you want to take a nimble little recreational boat on a multiday flat-water paddling trip. Read More …
Our latest recipe comes from Backcountry.com Gear Guru, Cory Heintz. In addition to providing customers with answers to gear-specific questions and adding comments to BC.com’s site on his personal choices for climbing gear and travel accessories, Cory throws together some stellar dishes with his compact Jetboil cooking system. One such concoction (which just happens to be a BC.com Jetboil Cookoff winner) is a gourmet seafood appetizer that is sure to impress the ramen-slurping crowds in camp. Read More …
As much as a solid breakfast is key to kick-starting your metabolism, a substantial, wholesome midday or evening meal is crucial to repairing and building muscle as well as providing the necessary nutrients to stay alert during heart-pounding activity. Read More …
Spring is here, and your taste buds are aching for charred flavors—so here’s a simple recipe for tacos that only requires one pot and a pile of burning wood. Read More …
Rita: Karl, can you tell us what you see?
Photo by Sean Kerrick Sullivan, Courtesy of The Canyons Resort
Karl: There appears to be a crowd amassed around a large pond high up at the resort. The pond looks to be about 100-feet long and considering it is early spring, we can only assume that the water would cause major shrinkage and serious high-beams. The pilot is going to attempt to land near the site so I can get a closer look at this strange event. Read More …
With the mountains beginning to shed their cold, icy layers and wild flowers bursting through their green fuses, it’s time for urban-dwellers to start thinking about returning to their primitive roots. We’ve compiled a list of essentials to keep at the ready for a backcountry cookery, campground culinary regale, or local park feast. Read More …
Move out
We had hoped that a super-dump of lake-effect Utah powder would bless this experience, but that’s not how it goes tonight—no fresh, just overcast skies. Ty pokes a few buttons on the smart phone that’s connected to the entertainment system, and the cats roll out one-by-one to a soundtrack courtesy of the brothers Allman. Read More …
Shoes to packs, hit the trails.
Backcountry house-hunting, simplified.
Stay dry out there.