Rental Gear Rental gear is included in the price of all of our overnight backpacking tours. We have selected gear that is lightweight, comfortable, durable and functional from brands we know and trust and have personal experience with. Below are descriptions and specifications of the backpacks, tents, sleeping pads and sleeping bags that are available to use on our tours. Renting is a great way to try before you buy to explore what you may like (or dislike) before making…
We thought we would share an oatmeal recipe we like to use for trail breakfasts. It is easy, delicious, healthful, and filling. This recipe is super versatile, as you can add or delete ingredients and play with proportions. We hope you enjoy! Trail Oatmeal Combine the following (When testing it out at home, feel free to put into a bowl. If bringing on the trail, we use “snack size” ziplock bags): 1/2 cup quick oats 1/2 tbsp chia seeds 1/2…
Backpacking Gear List This is Domonick’s (Co-owner, Operator, and Guide at Hiawatha Hiking Company) current backpacking gear list for East Coast/ Mid-West 3-season backpacking, which emphasizes rain protection, bug protection and mild to cool temperatures. This list is provided to give a general idea of what kind of gear Domonick is currently using. Gear often changes depending on location, season and the purpose of our trips. This complete backpacking gear list usually results in a pack-weight of roughly 7-10 pounds…
From 2004 to 2010, I wasn’t very physically fit. I had finished high school, went to college, got a master’s degree, and got a job. Regular exercise just wasn’t on my radar. I would have considered myself fairly healthy, but truthfully, I wasn’t. I didn’t exercise, and while I paid attention to what I ate, I certainly could have eaten healthier. I did some overnight backpacking trips while being fairly out-of-shape (including North Manitou Island and Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore)…
Old School In days of yore, the popular trend was to throw on a pair of hiking boots before hitting the trail. Many people subscribe to that trend today. REI’s shoe department is inundated with hiking boots. Boots are touted as waterproof, water wicking, quick drying, durable, and of course, ankle supporting. And when you’re sloshing around in mud and navigating around rocks/roots, it sounds nice to have your feet protected and cozy in an insulated cocoon. However, on longer…
I wish everyday out on the trail was sunny with pleasant temperatures, but unfortunately Mother Nature often has different plans. If you spend a lot of time hiking outside, there will inevitably become a time where you have to hike in the rain. Through the course of my hiking career I have had the pleasant opportunity to backpack in a variety of rainy situations across a wide range of temperatures and intensities. Below are my top 3 tips for backpacking…
A Clean Place – Tokyo is one of the cleanest cities I’ve ever been in. No plastic grocery bags blowing in the streets. No black globs of gum on the sidewalk. No McDonald’s wrappers blowing over storm drains. Yet I can’t remember seeing any trash cans on the streets. Domonick and I were eating a plastic-wrapped convenience store treat in the street and when it was time to toss the wrapper, we were left searching for a receptacle. We finally…