Backpacking

Preparation

March 24, 2021 / Ben Shaw / Backpacking, Thru-Hiking

When you’re first starting to plan a long trip there’s this big empty slate and you have figure out how you’re going to fill it. Sometimes you start filling it with how you’re going to explore a place, or how you’re going to cram as much as possible into the time you have and other times it’s how you’re going to accomplish a task that seems impossible (like walking 2,600 miles). Thankfully, when you set out to do a thru-hike you at least have a pre-determined route and the general direction of where you’re going. The next step is deciding how far you want to take your planning and that’s where things start to get messy and sometimes confusing.

Steeper, Higher, Farther: A Never-Ending Pursuit

February 16, 2021 / Will Babb / Backpacking, RRT Outdoor Adventures

There is always a desire to push further. To climb higher, explore the unexplored, see grander views and find your limits. This desire took a strong hold and revealed itself on a cool, foggy morning in Lake Clark National Park, Alaska. A remote land of stunning beauty; how could you not explore it?

Down vs. Synthetic Outerwear

January 7, 2021 / Will Babb / Backpacking, Gear Guide

Comparing down versus synthetic insulation in outdoor outerwear

If you ever want to waste an hour of your time, ask a gear junkie about the difference between down and synthetic, sit back, and listen to a monologue about the pros and cons of each. If that doesn’t sound like the best use of your time, spend a few minutes reading the rest of this blog for a brief overview of anything you might need to know. I’ll start off by defining a few things, dispelling a few myths, and sharing some key pieces of information.

Trail Beans: The Best Ways to get Caffeinated in the Backcountry

December 14, 2020 / Brandon Behymer / Backpacking, Gear Guide

Forward: Brandon, in his other life was a barista at Milford’s Main Cup. Learning the ways of the bean led to his deeper understating of caffeination. Combining his experiences in the backcountry with his passion for coffee has led to his unofficial title of backcountry barista extraordinaire. While we celebrate Brandon’s knowledge of tiny brown split beans we also recognize it for what it is, an addiction. We all pray for Brandon that his strength may overcome his weakness. Here is Brandon’s blog.

Off the Beaten Path: The South

April 20, 2020 / Ben Shaw / Backpacking, RRT Outdoor Adventures

At the end of this lockdown, I’m going on a trip…. Part 5 of 5, the last stop on our journey around the country, the south. If I have a long weekend, these are the places I run to…

Off The Beaten Path: The Southwest

April 14, 2020 / Ben Shaw / Backpacking, RRT Outdoor Adventures

We’re getting close to the end of our journey across the country. We’ve talked about mountain ranges in the northwest, all sorts of hidden gems near our home here in Cincinnati and snow retreats up in the northeast. You won’t find any National Parks on this list, but you will find some of the most amazing car camping spots, backpacking destinations and many more hidden gems.

Off the Beaten Path: The Northeast

April 6, 2020 / Ben Shaw / Backpacking, RRT Outdoor Adventures

For those of you who may not have seen our previous “Off the Beaten Path” blogs, check out the Northwest & Midwest articles. Over the next several weeks we’ll be breaking down our favorite places we’ve found across the country when we go off the beaten path. You won’t find any National Parks on this list, but you will find some of the most amazing car camping spots, kayaking destinations, backpacking trails and many more hidden gems.

Off the Beaten Path: The Midwest

March 24, 2020 / Ben Shaw / Backpacking, RRT Outdoor Adventures

This week we’re hanging around our home in the Midwest to hear about some of my favorite long weekend spots. We can’t always get away for a week out west so here’s some of my favorite wilderness areas, beach spots, and hidden gems, right here close to home.

Off the Beaten Path: The Northwest

March 14, 2020 / Ben Shaw / Backpacking, RRT Outdoor Adventures

The RRT crew travels all over the place. Between everyone here we’ve been to dozens of countries, touched every state and discovered our fair share of hidden gems along the way. Over the next several weeks we’ll be breaking down our favorite places we’ve found across the country when we get off the beaten path. Mostly these are my little treasures but luckily, I’ll have some help filling in the blanks from the rest of the RRT gang along the way. You won’t find any National Parks on this list, but you’ll find some of the most amazing car camping spots, kayaking destinations, backpacking trails and much more. This week we’re heading to the Northwest for some of my favorite mountains in the world, a desert you probably don’t know exists and some eye-popping peaks.

Peak Bagging 14ers

January 22, 2020 / Ben Shaw / Backpacking, RRT Outdoor Adventures

“In the mountaineering parlance of the Western US, a fourteener is a peak with an elevation of at least 14,000′. There are 96 fourteeners in the United States. Colorado has the most (53) of any state.” Two RRT’ers went to see how many they could peak bag in a week, this is their experience.

Roads Rivers and Trails

Preparation

Steeper, Higher, Farther: A Never-Ending Pursuit

Down vs. Synthetic Outerwear

Trail Beans: The Best Ways to get Caffeinated in the Backcountry

Off the Beaten Path: The South

Off The Beaten Path: The Southwest

Off the Beaten Path: The Northeast

Off the Beaten Path: The Midwest

Off the Beaten Path: The Northwest

Peak Bagging 14ers

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