Nearly all of my outdoor knowledge comes from trial and error.  With this in mind, I'm going to begin writing a reoccurring post called "Backcountry Blunders" where I tell you all about how I've screwed up and what I now do to avoid making the same mistakes.  First up, "water crossings."

Before you head into the backcountry, just remember that water doesn't grow on trees.  It's important to plan accordingly, but how do I know how much to bring?  This post will help clear that up!

One of the most important ingredients of a good backcountry kit is a water filtering system.  I'll admit that prior to my Sawyer Mini, I had no experience with water filters of any kind.  There are so many designs out there to choose from such as pumps, squeeze styles, and gravity fed systems, that it can be a little overwhelming at times.  Though I haven't owned them all, I can at least speak intelligently about how my Sawyer Mini works and show you why it is I love it so much.

I didn't know it at the time, but I wasn't getting what I needed out of shooting a compound bow.  No matter how much I would shoot, nothing seemed to excite me about it until I got it in my head that maybe I needed to change it up and try a traditional bow.  Just a handful of arrows later and I was hooked.  

I've recently struggled with the idea of hunting, but thanks to the refreshing perspectives of Joe Rogan and Donnie Vincent, I've turned a corner in understanding what hunting is.

2010 was a year I'll never forget.  I not only harvested my first mature Blacktail, but I learned that my energy in the forest may actually play a much larger role than I ever before realized.

I love finding ways to organize myself in the backcountry.  The Kuiu Dry Zip Bag has become a regular partner of mine in doing so and I'd highly suggest picking up some of your own.  Find out why by reading this post!

While hiking over 30 miles in the fog isn't what most people call ideal fun, I've learned to love my experience on the Loowit Trail and wouldn't trade it for the world.

Reviewing a backpack is a daunting task because of how complicated it can be.  There are as many packs out there as there are body types and each one serves its own specific purpose.  Some are built for ultra light hiking while others for heavy load hauling.  Some are meant for a lifetime of abuse while others will last but a few years.  If you ask my close friends, they'd tell you that I have a minor obsession with backpacks of any kind and what my obsession has taught be over the years is that unlike the Lord of the Rings, there is not one backpack to rule them all.  With that in mind, though daunting as it may be, I’m so pleased with my Exo Mountain Gear 3500 that I can't help but tell of how great it is.

The wise words of an old elk hunter, an inopportune misfire, and last day success, sum up my 2014 hunting season.  I'd learn more about myself in one season than I could have ever anticipated.

Looking back on my 2015 experiences, I can't help but think of how many lessons I came away with.  Narrowing them down to 5 is going to be tough, but I'll do my best.  

I accepted for a number of years that come hunting season, I was going to have to deal with being wet and cold because there was nothing out there that was durable enough to stand up to the Pacific Northwest rain showers.  All that changed when I found the Kuiu Yukon rain gear.  Never again will I be turned away from hunting because of a downpour.

When things don't go as planned, remaining positive for the benefit of yourself and others around you is more powerful than you think.  

Always with me, always reliable, and quick to boil.  My MSR Reactor will always be in my pack and for good reason.  It's built tough, can boil snow, and has on many occasions, been passed around the camp boiling water for meals and hot coffee.  Simply put, I love this thing.

The Sierra Designs Lightning 2 FL was the first tent to change my mind about how a tent should function.  Every time I use it, I'm always happy that I bought it and just can't think of a better design.  Sierra Designs did it right!