It’s about this time each year when I finally start getting around to updating my camping equipment (I know its late). As a father of three young kids, I don’t get into the backcountry as much as I used to. Therefore, while I am continually adding to my pack, I try to do my planning to fully maximize the usage of my items – and that means analyzing what I can use at our overnight…
I started writing this post on Saturday, April 15th, the first AMAZING day of the year. After a winter filled with snow, ice, and rain (sooooo much rain), it was hard to really even think about camping. Yeah, I know that makes me a fair weather camper, but I am what I am. I finally pulled down the pack and started working on updating my gear and was thrilled to remember that I had a variety…
One of the most underrated gear items I have reviewed here at Run Oregon was from way back in 2014. I was just starting to get in to some trail running and was happy to connect up with Ultimate Direction for their Fastpack 20. Of all the gear I have reviewed over the last 3+ years, I have put this pack through the ringer above all else. I have utilized it for running, as a pack…
If there is one thing that every Oregonian needs, it is a nice mid-size bag. I feel that the majority of us take in some excursions, both urban and rural, and are in need of a bag to pack running gear, extra clothes, healthy snacks, water, and miscellaneous items (like baby paraphernalia in my case). Be Outfitters has already surpassed their asking amount for their Tahquitz Pack and Cabrillo Dry Bag, and man does it look…
If you’re familiar with the Columbia River Gorge you already know that the area features a plethora of great hiking options. One of the more popular hikes is Dog Mountain. At just shy of 7 miles round trip, it can be considered “easy” enough for the lesser active folk, but with an elevation gain of 2,800 feet, it’s also strenuous enough for the fitness seeking folk. The best part about Dog Mountain, however, is that…
Some people geek out on cars. Some people geek out on makeup products. Something I geek out on? Outdoor gear. I’m not ashamed to admit it. So when I received a couple of VSSL Outdoor Utility Tools, you better believe I was geeking out hardcore. I was the lucky recipient of the Flask and the First Aid kit. VSSL Outdoor Utility Tools are multi-functional flashlights that are extremely compact. Their products offer up a unique…
Run Oregon sometimes receives products to review. In this post, Run Oregon provides some initial impressions on a pair of Lems Boulder Boots in their new leather version. We recommend checking out our initial review of the Lems Boulder Boots that was completed in early 2016. When I tried out a pair of the Lems Boulder Boots, I was a big fan of their portability and comfort: Keeping this boot simple makes it collapsible – that’s to say you could stuff it…
If you’ve never gone snowshoeing, my one piece of advice to you would be: GO. NOW! The very first (and only time) I have been able to go snowshoeing was definitely an experience I won’t forget. There’s just something so peaceful and magical about traversing through a snow covered forest; You’ll swear Mr. Tumnus himself will come strolling out, playing his flute. With all the snow that’s been falling in Oregon lately, I would say now is…
The one thing I really enjoy about my current job is my schedule; I have Friday’s and Saturday’s off. Friday’s for me means running errands and typing up any other loose ends. If I’m really lucky, however, Friday’s for me means getting out on the hiking trail. In the summer, this was especially nice because this meant fewer crowds, even on the more popular trails. One trail I was able to cross off my personal…
It was the end of March and I was with a group that was planning on a summit attempt of Mt. St. Helens. Being that it was the end of March, there was a good amount of snow on the ground in the Washington area. While I was wearing clothes suitable for cold weather conditions, I definitely was not prepared for rain and snow during the actual climb. Because the forecast had not called for…
