Yearly Archives: 2010

38 posts

backpackers granola

Cold Cereal as a Simple and Cheap Backpacking Meal

Why not? Forget the rules while you are backpacking in the presence of the open sky. Muesli and granola cereal is fast to prepare, loaded with calories, and tastes great. Hikers eat energy bars, trail mixes, candy bars, and other packaged snacks for convenience. However, most snack foods offer zero nutrition, highly processed ingredients, added sweeteners, and an overabundance of sodium. So, the next time you need a quick and easy lunch or dinner meal that doesn’t require cooking, try cereal. Outdoor Herbivore makes calorie-dense muesli cereal with dried fruit, nuts, and […]

Oboz Yellowstone II review

Outdoor Herbivore reviews the Oboz Yellowstone II hiking boots on a day hike at Rock Jock trail in Linville Gorge.  These lightweight hiking boots feature a waterproof (B-Dry) breathable membrane, waterproof nubuck leather shell, and an exceptionally grippy rubber sole. Overall, the boots were comfortable, the break in time short, and the tread provided excellent traction for the wet, slippery rocks we encountered in Linville Gorge. We’ll update you on the durability and comfort after wearing them for longer distances.

What is so great about Quinoa?

Quinoa (pronounced Keen-wah) is the edible seed from the quinoa plant, a plant related to spinach and chard. Although technically a seed, it is generally classified as a grain since its appearance is similar to the grains we are familiar with. What is so special about quinoa? Quinoa is a superfood that offers a wide range of benefits to our health. Some of the benefits of eating quinoa are: High Nutritional Value – Quinoa is rich in essential nutrients like vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, making it one of the most […]

moon navigation

Directional Navigation Using the Moon

The moon has no light of its own. The light seen from the moon is a reflection of the sun. The shape of the reflected light varies as the Earth orbits around the sun. This can be useful for finding direction at night once you understand how this works. When it is a crescent moon, it is straightforward. To Find South during a Crescent Moon Imagine a line connecting the endpoints of the moon’s crescent projecting to the horizon. The point on the horizon indicates South. If you are in […]

Clothing for Hiking or Backpacking

Clothing to Wear for Backpacking

No cotton. Cotton absorbs perspiration and does not dry quickly. It also takes up too much space and weight for packing. A better option is organic cotton blended with faster-drying natural fabrics, such as Tencel (lyocell) or Bamboo. Tencel is a fabric produced from the pulp of the eucalyptus tree. Bamboo is a type of rayon produced from the fast-growing bamboo plant. Both dry more quickly than cotton. If you must wear 100% cotton, try a lighter-weight fabric. Generally, more lightweight fabric will dry quicker and feel more comfortable.  Tencel absorbs 50% more sweat than cotton but contains tiny fibrils, […]