Technology Hiker

Lightweight Backpacking & Mountaineering

Why live a life that’s perceived as mad – #questionmadness
Why live a life that’s perceived as mad – #questionmadness

Why live a life that’s perceived as mad – #questionmadness

Why live a life that’s perceived as mad? This summer I stood at over 15,000 feet in a thunderstorm on a Mexican volcano. Twelve hours previously, I slept soundly in my Bay Area home at sea level. With thunder cascading…

Halloween Themed Hike: Caves, Crags, Spiders, & Bats at Pinnacles National Park
Halloween Themed Hike: Caves, Crags, Spiders, & Bats at Pinnacles National Park

Halloween Themed Hike: Caves, Crags, Spiders, & Bats at Pinnacles National Park

Outdoors California is a treasure trove with coastal mountains, redwoods, the Sierra/Cascades, and the desert.  People often drive past the Central California on their way to somewhere else.  Pinnacles National Park, about 30 miles South of Hollister, is an excellent…

Take What is Given: Weather & Weekend Adventures
Take What is Given:  Weather & Weekend Adventures

Take What is Given: Weather & Weekend Adventures

Life has been especially busy recently with family and work.  This Thursday night and Friday, I’m planning a 24 hour adventure to a California National Park.  My original plan was to leave Thursday night, summit an objective on Friday, and return…

Climbing Ixta & the Mexican Volcanoes
Climbing Ixta & the Mexican Volcanoes

Climbing Ixta & the Mexican Volcanoes

Mexico City has the best high mountain access in North America.  Three volcanoes over 15,000’ lie within 50 miles of Mexico City: 1) Nevado de Toluca at 15,390 feet, 2)  Iztaccihuatl (Ixta) at 17,159’, and 3) Popocatepetl  (Popo) at 17,887 feet. Orizaba,…

Best Weather Sites for Outdoor Adventures
Best Weather Sites for Outdoor Adventures

Best Weather Sites for Outdoor Adventures

While “you don’t need a weatherman to know which way the wind blows,” an accurate forecast helps planning for outdoor adventures.  Everest & 8000m peak expeditions have documented how forecasts help improve summit attempts.  These forecasts help more modest trips…

Climbing Tahoe’s Mt Tallac SE Chute
Climbing Tahoe’s Mt Tallac SE Chute

Climbing Tahoe’s Mt Tallac SE Chute

Drought stricken Sierra had its first significant snowfall last week.  What better time for a quick one night trip to climb one of Northern California’s iconic peaks, 9735’ Mount Tallac.  Tallac towers overs Lake Tahoe, Fallen Leaf Lake, & the Desolation…