tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-78820422310786653942026-07-31T11:44:27.856-07:00Healthy Food, Ultralight Backpacking, and World Travel on Budget.Dannyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17810295240242718158noreply@blogger.comBlogger213125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7882042231078665394.post-23787738188314777892013-07-19T21:11:00.001-07:002013-07-19T21:22:46.264-07:00

Our final Global Test article has been published at Backpacking Light! This is something that Kristin and I first starting talking about in late 2009, and we approached the publisher in early 2010 with our pitch. They liked it, and our Global Test series began. We thought it would be two or three articles, but it turned into 4 Global Test articles, plus a dozen photo essays, 4 reports for ISPO (

Dannyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17810295240242718158noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7882042231078665394.post-47518309485277211322012-05-16T09:53:00.001-07:002012-05-16T09:53:15.265-07:00

Another great review! OMM Kamleika Race Smock, Jacket, and Pants Review @ Backpacking Light

Dannyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17810295240242718158noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7882042231078665394.post-55093642844225359462012-05-02T11:25:00.001-07:002012-05-02T11:25:28.398-07:00

This is the day backpack that I used for backcountry skiing all last year. Could have been a pretty good pack, but there were some serious flaws... CAMP X3 600 Ski Pack Review @ Backpacking Light

Dannyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17810295240242718158noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7882042231078665394.post-81659108933859972662012-04-11T13:10:00.002-07:002012-04-11T13:14:32.287-07:00

It has been a challenging winter for us backcountry skiers. We've had to be patient through the dry periods, and then chase the storms for fresh snow. The risks are higher as new snow can increase avalanche danger, as well as make the roads treacherous (of the two, the latter is really the bigger risk). As much as we try to plan our weekends, we've also had to be flexible with our trips. Two

Dannyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17810295240242718158noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7882042231078665394.post-22447406971382697322012-04-05T10:35:00.003-07:002015-03-09T15:06:42.468-07:00

Wind turbines to the south of Mount Diablo, as seen from the summit.  I've learned a few things as I've gotten into trail running and am now preparing for two ultra marathons. You can read my six tips for helping you train: Preparing for the Diablo Trails Challenge 50k, Part II I'd be very appreciative to any one who leaves a comment for the article. Thanks!

Dannyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17810295240242718158noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7882042231078665394.post-4629024180804246632012-04-03T21:19:00.001-07:002012-04-04T08:31:27.940-07:00

Testing the pack in Chamonix, France.  My review has been published on the adventure race Berghaus Octans 40 pack in Backpacking Light Magazine. Read it here! Also, I am trying to sell an amazing down jacket that I got for K, but it was tad too small. It is the Rab Infinity, womens small, still brand new. Click here to learn more. 

Dannyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17810295240242718158noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7882042231078665394.post-33489987159865299052012-04-03T09:49:00.000-07:002015-03-09T15:06:00.197-07:00

Sunset at 10,000' on Mount Shasta. Better hope your headlamp works for that 2am alpine start!  In two years of traveling and blogging, I have yet to write one product review for Trek Together. This would shock most of my friends and co-guides, as I'm known as a bit of a gear junkie.  It is true: I tend to study websites, catalogs and press releases in my spare time. I

Dannyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17810295240242718158noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7882042231078665394.post-70807092035422340202012-03-30T08:08:00.000-07:002012-03-30T08:08:58.447-07:00

I recently started volunteering at Save Mount Diablo, a local non-profit that focuses on land preservation and restoration as well as environmental education. Sounds like a perfect fit for me! Save Mount Diablo is hosting a 5k, 10k, 21k, and 50k trail race on Earth Day (April 21). If you're in the area, you should consider running/walking one of the races. If that's not your cup of tea, then

Dannyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17810295240242718158noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7882042231078665394.post-68034233840518809742012-03-29T14:11:00.001-07:002012-03-29T14:11:06.250-07:00

You know the cliche: when it rains, it pours? Well, we've been having a severely dry winter up until three weeks ago. Then it started pouring. And it's been that way every since.  Rain here brings a smile to my face, and not because of the positive ions. Rain down here means snow up in the Sierras. And it couldn't have come at a better of time.  Flash back to November,

Dannyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17810295240242718158noreply@blogger.com0Peter Grubb Hut, Tahoe National Forest, CA, USA39.336952846734981 -120.4575347900390639.28783234673498 -120.53649879003906 39.386073346734982 -120.37857079003906tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7882042231078665394.post-52469388723025303912012-03-27T15:19:00.000-07:002012-03-29T14:16:36.006-07:00

I'm an opportunist. For those of you that know me, this statement isn't a surprising assertion. However, I have realized that I'm of the passive sort. I often wait until the last minute to make decisions, thereby maintaining my options for as long as possible. All doors are open until I make a decision, at which point the other doors close and I'm left with only one way to go. This method

Dannyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17810295240242718158noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7882042231078665394.post-35550259640874753062012-03-08T09:30:00.001-08:002012-03-08T09:30:56.545-08:00

Last May, K and I spent 6 weeks in Norway. Most of that time we were in mountains, backcountry skiing. I took at least a thousand photos. It looks like one of them wasn't so bad . . . 2012 Photo Contest Winners! @ Backpacking Light

Dannyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17810295240242718158noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7882042231078665394.post-29184381004129619062012-02-15T09:38:00.000-08:002012-02-15T09:38:00.913-08:00

An innovative design makes this windshirt great for backcountry skiing, cycling, and running. The fit isn't great, but I'm going to try to fix that with my mad sewing skills.CAMP Flash Anorak Review @ Backpacking Light

Dannyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17810295240242718158noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7882042231078665394.post-4481830857943982452012-02-15T09:37:00.000-08:002012-04-10T11:13:03.030-07:00

Our favorite baselayers, no doubt about it. Just waiting for Rab to come out with a hoodie! Rab MeCo Baselayers Review @ Backpacking Light Flash Card   Extra Battery    Remote     Bittman's book     Aperture book

Dannyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17810295240242718158noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7882042231078665394.post-40195790210966573642012-02-15T09:36:00.000-08:002012-02-15T09:36:28.105-08:00

K and I are considered staff at Backpacking Light and have been asked to pick our three favorite pieces of gear this year. Read on . . . (it's free!)2011 Backpacking Light Staff Picks @ Backpacking Light

Dannyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17810295240242718158noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7882042231078665394.post-70730764916454230562011-11-13T20:36:00.000-08:002012-03-27T15:46:26.476-07:00

Not all reviews are favorable... CAMP Xenon 4 Pole Review @ Backpacking Light

Dannyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17810295240242718158noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7882042231078665394.post-34942981044758624512011-09-28T11:39:00.000-07:002012-03-27T15:47:07.901-07:00

This is the mobile home that Kristin and I used for our last six months in Europe. Kristin called it "our cave." It kept us safe at night, but it was way too small to be comfortable. And it retails for more than $400 - good think we didn't have to pay for it! Vango Helium Superlite 200 Tent Review @ Backpacking Light Also, has anybody tried a TheraCane? I've heard good things about it but

Dannyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17810295240242718158noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7882042231078665394.post-27591587300457525092011-09-22T23:39:00.000-07:002011-09-22T23:40:16.809-07:00

It has been exactly two years since Kristin and I left California on a flight to Guatemala. It was the beginning of our world journey, the realization of a lifelong dream, and the start of our long life together. Danny and Kristin in the evening of our first day in Guatemala. We went on a sunset hike around San Pedro with our wonderful host Ann. In our 730 days of traveling, we visited 30

Dannyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17810295240242718158noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7882042231078665394.post-36697779665269566462011-09-21T08:58:00.000-07:002012-02-15T09:55:47.657-08:00

Berghaus Mount Asgard Smock Review @ Backpacking Light shopping list: bowl and seal and hdmi converter and  cable and modem and memory

Dannyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17810295240242718158noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7882042231078665394.post-70742552837636551222011-08-03T13:44:00.000-07:002011-08-03T13:44:03.158-07:00

My First Product Review on Backpacking Light!Fizan Compact Trekking Poles Review @ Backpacking Light

Dannyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17810295240242718158noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7882042231078665394.post-16036812492578492162011-07-21T10:13:00.000-07:002011-07-21T10:13:25.729-07:00

 We are in the middle of our two-week road trip through the Rockies of Montana and Canada. We spent the first part in Glacier National Park, which has very few glaciers. Apparently all the glaciers will disappear completely by 2020. Yikes!  The hiking has been variable - good trails, beautiful views, but a zoo-like atmosphere. I didn't expect this many people to visit such a remote

Dannyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17810295240242718158noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7882042231078665394.post-9074010679425583752011-07-19T13:52:00.000-07:002011-07-19T13:52:00.335-07:00

How to be Awesome I came across this blog post by way of a recommendation from my friend Jack, who is in his own right awesome. Enjoy the reading!

Dannyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17810295240242718158noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7882042231078665394.post-79918144640971200372011-07-17T01:29:00.000-07:002011-07-17T01:29:00.654-07:00

Last I left you, Kristin and I had arrived to Chicago., then did a road trip through Wisconsin and Minnesota. Now we are in Montana. We have some family friends here, one of whom just got married. We also met with our editor at Backpacking Light.  We have been working with her via email for the last year and a half. It was great to finally meet her in person, as she is an amazing,

Dannyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17810295240242718158noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7882042231078665394.post-22297727439250115572011-07-13T23:10:00.000-07:002011-07-29T13:37:44.626-07:00

We bought a car. Or is it a home? It's a Honda Element and we can sleep in it. So it's both! Now we can drive back to California in early August. Hurray!!! All we need is a trailer hitch, stereo, spare key, usb charger/power inverter, and new computer screen.

Dannyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17810295240242718158noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7882042231078665394.post-3746608662726046732011-07-13T19:58:00.000-07:002011-07-17T01:08:50.640-07:00

On June 30 we arrived in Chicago, and today is July 13. What have we done in the last 2 weeks?  Well, we started by visiting family in Oconomowoc, WI. We wasted no time in preparing a massive feast for the 4th of July.   And so we ate.  Marinated grilled tofu, beet/walnut/yogurt salad, roasted potatoes, kale, Greek salad, and rutabaga. So much deliciousness on one plate!

Dannyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17810295240242718158noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7882042231078665394.post-60826139154112830812011-07-01T10:55:00.000-07:002011-07-01T10:55:48.335-07:00

We safely arrived yesterday in Chicago. My friend, Rubee, picked us up at the airport and took us, along with his friend Bette, to the Chicago Botanic Garden. We walked around for four hours and had a truly wonderful time. Then we went to Karyn's, a vegan restaurant that Kristin has been raving about since she first went there in 2006.  We ate way more than we should have.

Dannyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17810295240242718158noreply@blogger.com2