Cascade Mountain Tech News
Backpacking 101: How to Prepare for Your First Backcountry Camping Trip
Backpacking is an incredible way to experience the backcountry. Check out this comprehensive guide to prepare for your forest backpacking trip. From what gear to bring, to how to pack your backpack, to backcountry cooking, and trail etiquette, we hope this article can be your go-to guide for all things backpacking preparation.
Miles Hiked, Bonds Made: How Training for Mount Rainier Brought Me Closer to My Dad
Having been born and raised in the Pacific Northwest, I have always loved the outdoors. There is a certain kind of peace that can only be found while surrounded by nothing but trees, the mountains, and fresh air. Most of my fondest memories are paired with the smell of forest overgrowth and a little bit of sweat. My memories of climbing Rainier are filled with the same but even better because of the bonding I got to share with my dad along the way.
Want to Build a Camping Bed in Your Truck or Van? Follow These Tips
Looking to up your camping game in 2021? One way to do this is to retrofit your camper van or truck with a bed so you can sleep in ultimate comfort in your home-on-wheels. Below are 5 tips for how to build out a camper bed in your van, as well as a few tricks for organizing your gear when space is tight.
Walk a Mile in My Shoes: Alaskan Glacier Edition
Alaska provides no shortage of adventure opportunities for myself and my husband, and we try our best to take advantage of the time we have while living here. To kick off 2021, we hiked to the Grewingk Glacier, which is located right outside of Homer, Alaska and is only accessible by boat or water taxi. The Grewingk glacier itself is 13 miles long and located in the Kenai Mountains, near Kachemak Bay.
Road Tripping the PNW - What We Learned on Our Winter Road Trip
1 week, 3 states, and a whole heck of a lot of fun. This winter, my pod and I went on an epic road trip around the Pacific Northwest. We went from coast to mountains, soaking in all the nature we could find. Follow along with me as I delve into the details of the trip and what I learned while road tripping the PNW in the winter.
What Gear to Bring on Winter Adventures With Your Dog
Winter adventures with your dog can be fun and joyful just like any other adventures. It makes trips even more enjoyable and it's important to bring them along on the journey, but that may leave you asking ,”What gear should you bring on winter adventures with your dog?” This advice on gear will help you keep your dog safe, comfy and ready for whatever winter throws your way. Be prepared for your next winter outing with your furry friend by making sure you pack these gear essentials.
10 Tips for Winter Camping in the Desert
Doing anything in the desert comes with a few added asterisks. Winter camping in the desert is no different. From plummeting temperatures to barren landscapes, it requires its own set of preparations. When done right, the desert in the winter becomes a whole different planet, full of discovery. Below are 10 tips to take with you on your next desert adventure. These will help keep you safe, comfortable, and having fun.
How the Sausage Gets Made: What Goes Into a Successful Elk Hunt (Plus an Elk Sausage Recipe)
At first, the mountainside appeared like any other in this part of Utah. The shades of brown underbrush, clumps of green trees, grey rocky outcroppings all jumbled together. But as our eyes relaxed, the herd came into view. At first, you see slight movements, heads craning up or looking around. Their movements lead you to their outlines. Then almost all at once, you realize the whole slope is covered in a herd of elk. That first day of my elk hunt we spent about twice as much time driving around searching as we did actually hiking and stalking elk.
Winter Adventures: Tips for Adventuring In Cold Weather from the CMT Outbounders
Just because the weather is colder and there may be snow on the ground doesn’t mean the adventures need to stop. Quite the opposite in fact! Our Outbounders are vets when it comes to getting outside and turning winter into a wonderland. We asked our Outbounders how they brave the cold and chase after their favorite winter adventures. Check out what they had to say!
Winter Camping 101: How to Camp in the Snowy Months
This article lays out the basic tenets of winter camping, including what to pack, how to stay warm, and how to find the right level of difficulty for your outing, especially if you’re trying winter camping for the first time. Keep these commandments in mind and before you know it, your whole calendar will be open for adventure.
New Year, New Goals - Creating Outdoor New Years Resolutions with the Outbounders
The New Year is time to set new goals and dream out new adventures. It's an opportunity to ask yourself what you've been wanting to do and setting up a plan so you will actually do it. While New Year resolutions don't always revolve around the outdoors, we think creating specific ones to get you doing what you love most makes for a fun year. We asked our Outbounders about their New Year resolutions and here’s what they said.
Pand-epic: How Two Adventurers Turned Furloughs Into an All-Time Road Trip
The effects of COVID have impacted each and every single one of us. As business after business boarded up their walls, we started to slow down and absorb all the changes around us. We asked ourselves, how can we turn this unknown into something positive? How can we go outside without risking the health of ourselves and others? Our eyes locked, and we both murmured the words “Road Trip”.
Cascade Mountain Tech Staff Picks
When looking to buy new gear, you want to make sure you are getting the inside scoop and authentic reviews of people who really know the product. Nobody knows CMT gear better than our hard working and uber-knowledgeable staff. These folks touch, use, dissect and ponder these pieces of gear daily. So, we extracted their deep-seated knowledge to bring you the CMT staff’s “Staff Picks”. These are their favorite products and the reasons why.
A Parent’s Advice for Getting Outside with a Special Needs Kid
While the idea of stepping out into the unknown with special needs can feel daunting (at best), the benefits far outweigh the challenges. I’m sure you know how research has shown the benefits of the outdoors physically, mentally, socially - how much more so for our kids who need extra attention in those areas! Hiking with our kids with special needs can even boost their self-esteem and increase their attention span. So, here are some tips and encouragement to get you and your family out the door and back on the trail.
How to be Conscious of Special Needs Hikers and Campers
I share Cascade Mountain Tech’s heart for achievable adventure, and the strong belief that the outdoors should be accessible for everyone. I’m excited to contribute to their family hiking resources by sharing how you can make a difference in inclusion on the trail.
What to Pack for Fishing (Other Than a Pole)
When it comes to fishing opportunities, at the Cascade Mountain Tech headquarters we like to think we’re pretty spoiled. The Seattle area boasts numerous fisheries from small mountain trout streams, lakes, summer and winter steelhead runs, and year-round saltwater fishing in the Puget sound. With so many opportunities to get out on the water, it can be hard to know what to pack for a fishing trip.
An Outdoor Recreationalist's First Elk Hunt
Before August, I had never been hunting before in my life. That all changed when I started talking to my best friend and primary mountain partner, Taylor Bentz. The more we talked, the more my interest was piqued. So Taylor invited me out to join him on an elk hunt in southeast Idaho. This is what I learned.
Gone with the Wind: Tales and Tips from a Trip to Wyoming's Wind River Range
Wyoming’s Wind River Range, or the Winds for short, is a mecca for adventurers who seek a dramatic and desolate backcountry experience. Armed with several years of experience and an insatiable hunger for adventure, my travel buddy Trevor and I set out to backpack over 55 miles in a six day span in the Wind River Range.
Views from the Top: Precipice Lake via the High Sierra Trail
This summer I had my eye on backpacking the High Sierra Trail from Sequoia National Park to Precipice Lake and back, a journey totaling in 38+ miles. It had been under snow for most of the summer and there had been trail damage due to a heavy winter, but as soon as the trails were clear, I got a 3-day backpacking trip on the books.
Lessons Learned While Van Camping in Moab
I woke to the sound of loud rapping on the window of our van, with police lights flashing behind the curtains. I could barely register my husband nudging me through my sleepy haze, as the pounding on the window got louder. “Wake up!” Callan said, and as I sat up, it dawned on me that we were in trouble.
Choosing Trekking Poles: Aluminum or Carbon Fiber
You’ve likely seen trekking poles made of two main materials: aluminum and carbon fiber, and you've likely found yourself asking, "What's the difference between these two?" and "What are the tradeoffs and benefits of each?" In this piece we’ll answer these questions, and more, so you can find the trekking poles that are perfect for your adventures.
What to Bring on a Hike With Your Dog (Packing List Included)
We’ve compiled a list of tips for how to pack when you’re going hiking with your dog as well as a comprehensive packing list for day hikes with your dog. Save this page in your bookmarks and you’ll never leave home unprepared when you head out for a hike with your dog.
How to Responsibly Hike With Your Dog: 5 Tips for Safety and Trail Etiquette
If you plan on hiking with your dog, be sure you know the fundamental rules of the trail. Whether you’re prepping for your first hike or you just need a refresher, the tips in this article will get you ready to hit the trail with your dog responsibly.
The Hiker Trash Commandments: 7 Tips for First-Time Thru-Hikers
So you’re thinking about doing a thru-hike? There is some basic info and helpful hints that every first time thru-hiker should know. Follow these “7 Hiker Trash Commandments” and your first thru-hike will be a little less of a sufferfest.