Utah Canyon Country: 20 Must-See Sites and Short Hikes is Laurie J. Schmidt's newest book release - I was so excited to get my hands on a copy! Packed with local tales and history, I was curious as to which hikes I had not yet completed. As most Utahan's know, southern Utah is home to thousands of miles of arches, slot canyon, natural bridges, hoodoos, and more. Laurie does a great job of pointing out the best of the best - 20 sites and short hikes you can't miss! This book is the perfect option for those just looking to visit Utah for a few days, or even those that have lived in Utah for years, but have not yet explored this territory. Grab your reading glasses, cup of coffee, and check out everything Utah Canyon Country has to offer!
"People often ask me, "What's your favorite campground?" That would be like asking a mother to pick her favorite child: it really depends on the day, my mood, and who's asking." - Jeffrey Steadman
Paria Outdoors, based in Denver, Colorado, designs high quality products and offers them at a reasonable cost, so that they are accessible to anyone. They offer a line up of trekking poles, tents, sleeping pads, and accessories to complement your gear. The term "Paria" comes from Paria Canyon in Southwest Utah - a backpackers dream destination! When I was researching the best ultralight poles, the Paria Outdoors Tri-Fold Carbon Cork Trekking Poles were at the top of my list!
Looking for a fun, unique way to hang out while camping? Check out the Air Lounger by Live Infinitely! If you get back pain or just tired of sitting in a regular camp chair and want something different, the Air Lounger provides a way for you to sit or lay down anywhere, land or water. It only takes a few minutes to set up - both adults and kids can enjoy the views and campfire from a cozy spot!
ORCA Coolers are pushing the boundaries of innovation when it comes to insulation. We've all seen different versions of these coolers - durable, extremely well insulated, numerous sizes to choose from, and built to last. You may recognize the names Yeti, R-TIC, and Pelican to name a few, but what about ORCA? ORCA, which stands for Outdoor Recreation Company of America, is the newest company to the insulated cooler world, starting in just 2012. Based in Tennessee, this American-made cooler knocks out all other coolers out of the park. Whether you are looking for a cooler to bring to the park, on road trips, or hunting, you can count on ORCA to keep your food and drinks insulated for up to 10 days outdoors.
We wear base layers when hiking in the cold, why not put a base layer on your camera? Matador has created a unique cover, or base layer, to protect your camera while you are still able to as active in the outdoors as you always have been. No need to shove your camera down your pack anymore - keep the Matador Base Layer on hand, so you can capture that awesome shot at the perfect time without any pack hassle.
It seems every 6-8 months I need to hiking & trail running shoes because I wear out the tread so quickly from my high miles. I had started to see a lot of people wearing Altra Footwear on the trails, so I knew I had to give them a try. Altra's newest style, The King MT, is the company's grippiest shoe yet. I quickly discovered that this Utah brand of footwear really can go the distance while providing comfort and grip. Named for Utah's highest peak, Kings Peak, this shoe is ready to dominate everything from dirt to tough ridges.
One of the most common questions I hear is,
"What's the difference between Yaktrax and Microspikes?"