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What would you go back to if you could? For me, it was skinning up the Tuckerman Ravine Trail and and skiing down the Sherb (Sherburne trail) in the White Mountains. It's been 25 years. An accident, then life, kids, and career stopped me from taking the trip I originally planned. Now, two kids and 25 years later, I'm heading back with the same old K2 Telemark skis and leather boots. Despite battling the flu ... and some unreasonable fears I join a Women's Intro to Backcountry group run by Inclusive Ski Touring and skin up to Tuckerman Ravine. It's not about the biggest mountain—it's about not settling and finally making good on a challenge to myself. This is what it feels like to finish something 25 years in the making: not dramatic, just satisfying.
I tested five instant coffees for backpacking and camping. After my first backpacking coffee test, you asked me to try these instant coffees: Mount Hagen, Cafe Bustelo Espresso, Trader Joe's Instant Coffee Packets, Nescafé Classic Espresso Original, and Cusa Cold Brew Instant Coffee. I made each coffee with my camp stove in the snow and tested each coffee both black and with creamer.
0:00 Introduction 0:21 The Coffees Being Tested 1:02 Mount Hagen Test 2:43 Trader Joe's Instant Test 4:04 Cusa Test 5:39 Nescafé Test 6:54 Cafe Bustelo Test 10:18 Final Rankings The test: I used my Jetboil, coconut milk powder creamer, and bulletproof creamer (grass-fed butter and MCT oil) for all the tests.The results are NOT scientific; this test is based purely on my own personal taste. Watch Part 1 of my backpacking coffee testing here: • I Tried 5 Coffees for Backpacking, He... Let me know in the comments: Should I do a blind taste test? Want me to test the Four Sigmatic mushroom coffee? Have other instant coffees you want me to try? Did you find this video helpful? (Sometimes making these feels like talking into the void!) Real-world review of the women’s Altra Lone Peak 8 after taking it up Mount Washington, across the Grand Canyon, and through a Spartan Race.
Here's what I found - - I like the wide-toe box - I like the tread for climbing and descending dirt and mud trails - The tread was not super sticky on the wet rocks of Mount Washington - I need more cushioning for running on pavement I describe how the show worked for me in multiple conditions: hiking the Grand Canyon, climbing Mount Washington, hiking Vermont trails, and running on pavement. My son and I had planned to take a hike on Vermont's Long Trail. We started at 4:15am I think this is a vlog But, I had a chance to hang out with two friends. Both were hosts of a podcast I spent eight years producing for Spartan Race, and hang out in the town we lived in for 28 years with two old friends, Joe DeSena, the guy that started Spartan, and Zach Even-Esh from Underground Strength. It meant getting up at four in the morning to get out to Pittsfield by five. Joe and Zach were helping with an intensive wrestling camp. It was pouring rain, but we did one of my favorite hikes and crossed the river. The wrestlers at the camp had to carry each other up the hill. I just had to hike, and we got to this cabin, and I remember when that was just a hole in the side of the hill. And getting footage of this guy, Miguel Medina, who was going to be building a cabin there. In fact, I did a whole video series: "Could Miguel be forged into a Spartan?" The goal is to live in this cabin that's being built in the ravine. My son and I finished the trip down memory lane with a stop at the Swiss market for our favorite sandwiches. Then we headed to the Long Trail. I had big plans for a long hike and a YouTube video all about that section of the trail. I was tired, and I didn't get half of what I had planned done. But I am planning to hike a 23-mile section of the Long Trail next weekend with my two grown sons. Let me know what you want to see from that. It was a perfect day if your idea of a perfect day is getting up at four in the morning to hike in the rain.
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MarionI make content about the outdoors and about making content. I’ve done it since before the internet existed. Archives
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