Cam Honan

The Salar de Uyuni is the earth’s largest salt flat. (Note: I hiked across Bolivia’s Salar de Uyuni in September, 2017, as part of a longer 400 mile (644 km) route I put together through Bolivia’s Altiplano region. The journey will take around 1.5 to 2.5 hrs one way from Uyuni to Tahua/Coquesa, and I suspect you could organise it for less than US$50. : Polarized sunglasses, face protection for the winds, puffy jacket, wind shirt/rain jacket, wind pants, sunscreen, thermal underwear, four to eight liters water capacity, beanie, compass, mittens, sleeping mat and a quilt/sleeping bag that is accurately rated to at least 15°F (-9°C).

That means that in addition to the release of the annual dividend earlier this month, from March 22 to April 8 they are offering members 20% off a full priced item, plus an extra 20% off an item in the REI Outlet. Brooks Caldera 2 or 3 – I’ve only been using the Calderas for the past couple of years but have grown to like them a lot. Same durability as the Cascadias, but 5 oz lighter (per pair), more cushioning, less drop (4mm For those that are interested, here is a list items that cost under $100 that I regularly use from REI: 1.

It’s not the lightest or most compressible bag in this compilation, but to my way of thinking it has always represented good value, run’s close to its temperature rating (maybe a few degrees on the high side), and thanks to a generous girth and taper, seems to be one of those bags that fits most hikers. If the Helium’s 15°F rating seems a little too toasty for your thru-hiking needs, Marmot also do a well regarded and competitively priced 30°F bag; the 800-Fill Hydrogen. For cold frogs, you are better off up-sizing to the 5°F model, which tips the scales at 23.8 oz and in real terms is more like a 13 – 15°F bag. That being said, warm sleepers can probably get usually get away with a 30°F model, whereas cold frogs might need to go down to a 10°F bag in order to be comfortable

When you empty your pack after finishing a trip, you realize that there are at least five items that you not only didn’t use, but that never actually saw the light of day during the course of your hike. When the point of no return inevitably happens and you realize that there is no denying Tezza (Australian for “Terry”) when he has a head of steam up, you drop your pack unceremoniously in the middle of the trail and dash for the woods. The moral of this not uncommon story is: A. Have your coffee a little earlier, and; B. Carry a lighter, less encumbered load, which is simple and easy to take on and off whenever the need arises. For tips on how to lighten your backpacking load, see the How To /Going Light and Thru-hiker Gear Guide drop down menus in the top navigation bar.