First Writing Job for Backpacking

I've recently become a outdoor travel writer for Examiner.com, a new citizen-journalism topics site. After submitting a bio and writing sample, I received an email the following day to congratulate me on becoming part of the Examiner team. This is a huge step for me in becoming a writer for Backpacker Magazine. Being the first real paying job in the journalism field, I am overwhelmed. In the last 6 months alone my writing has gone from being just a hobby, to a seriously potential career. I will start my job with a first post tonight. More than likely it will just be an extended bio where I will fully introduce myself to my subscribers. Check it out at http://www.examiner.com/x-33560-Bowling-Green-Outdoor-Travel-Examiner

Wan-Ifra and Beyond!

Here's just a few shots I snapped using my camera phone in route to Hyderabad, India for the 2009 Wan-Ifra conference. Check out http://www.ifra.net/blogs/wan-congress-2009 for more information on the event.

Here is a glimpse of the swiss alps from everest altitude.

And the view from my hotel.

An unfinished section of the upper levels of the hotel.

2-man 3-season tents

I'm currently in the market for a new 2-3 man, 3 season tent. I'm looking at the Big Agnes Emerald Mountain sl2. The added vestibule looks great for sketchy weather cooking. I'm also looking into the MSR Hubba Hubba. If anyone has any advice, please feel free to post. Also, if anyone knows of any tents with large vestibules let me know. Don't suggest hillebergs as they are out of my price range. Pref. between $200-$500

JetBoil PCS Gear Review

Here's my review of the JetBoil PCS (personal cooking system).

Gear for Sale.

Hey Everyone,
I'm going to be getting some new gear come January, so I've decided to let go of a few items.

1st- Kelty Tornado 4900 - $75
4900 cubic inches, hydration combatible, only used 3 times, 2008 version, top and front  loading,sleeping bag compartment

2nd- Gsi cookware set - $20
10" deep pan, 6" shallow pan, handle, fork, knife, spoon, carrying sack.

3rd- North Face Rock 22 - $90
2 person, 3-season, 2008 version (ivory), around 5 lbs, stuff sack, has a bent pole, but it's not bad. Great in the rain and snow.

instead of writing a post about my last packing trip, i decided to document it using stills.

A Little Random, Just A Thought

Is the world not just one big Wikipedia? Who really knows what's the truth or what's credible? Information can be edited by anyone. What makes newspapers so righteous???

My Gear

I'm a total gearhead. Probably over 60% of my income (which isn't much being a college student) goes towards my obsession with gear. Here's a list of my favorite.

Tent- Front-country- Sierra Designs Meteor light 3; Back-country solo- Sierra Designs Lightning Xt; Back-country 2-3 - Mountain Hardware LightPath 2

Packs- The all-time best- Gregory Whitney, Gregory Z-65, also have a spare Kelty Tornado 4900

Sleeping bags- Mountain Hardwear Lamina 20, some 0 degree bag I got for $20 bucks last Christmas (the things like 8 pounds).

Pads- Therm-a-rest Ridgrest, Therm-a-Rest Prolite 4

Stoves, filters, cookware, etc... -MSR Pocket Rocket, MSR-Sweetwater filter, GSI cookware, and my Merrell Continuum's

Kayaking around Bowling Green, Ky?

So, I've recently discovered a nice 6 mile paddle just outside of Bowling Green, Ky. The drop off point is in Alvaton, which is about a 15 minute drive east of Bowling Green on Scottsville road. The pull out is just before the bridge at Phil Moore Park. It's a relaxing paddle and convenient for any disc golfers because Phil Moore has a nice 18 hole course. I'm planning on throwing some discs in the yak with me next time and finishing off with a round. If you' re looking you can sometimes find discs in the water that runs next to the course.