David Parnell

David is an accomplished mountain endurance athlete who has completed over 25 ultra marathon races (follow on Strava). He is most proud of his finish at The Drift 100 - a high elevation, 100 mile winter foot race that zigzags along the Continental Divide in Wyoming. In the future he hopes to compete in the ITI 350 and ultimately the full 1,000 mile Iditarod Trail Invitational that follows the same path as the historic dog sled race.

Backpacking cots can be a nice way to add a bit of extra luxury and comfort to your camping setup. They let you elevate your sleeping system up off the ground, which can provide better airflow in the summer and insulation from the ground in the winter. But are backpacking cots actually worth it? Couldn’t …

Until recently I had never heard the phrase “feral humans in National Parks.” However, what you do hear are the headlines stating “Woman Missing in Blank Park” or “Search continues for hiker/runner/camper/tourist who disappeared without a trace.” And you’re likely one of the thousands who feel for the family but blame an accident, weather, or …

As one of the most popular travel trailer brands in the country, Jayco travel trailers, with their bluebird logos, are a common sight on most campgrounds. If you’re considering buying one of their products, checking out the size and weight specifications is one of the first considerations. So, how wide is a Jayco travel trailer? …

Maintaining a solid pace while backpacking is essential if you want to make it to your campsite at the end of the day before dark. But what is a good pace for backpacking, you might ask? A good pace for most backpackers is about 2 to 3 miles per hour. This is a good speed …

Sitting down and enjoying a scrumptious meal at the end of a long day of hiking is one of the best parts of a backpacking trip. But cooking that meal can be tedious, especially if you only have one small stove and pot to work with. Thankfully, there’s a solution to your backcountry cooking woes: …

Half-ton trucks often end each year as the best-selling vehicles in the United States. They are super reliable and have a reputation as one of the best for towing, making them a regular fixture in the average domestic garage. But, can a 1/2 ton truck pull a RV? Yes, a ½ ton truck can pull …

Hummus is an exceptional protein source that just so happens to also taste amazing. You can pair hummus with chips, crackers, and veggies, or you can add it to a wide range of sandwiches and wraps to liven up your hiking meals. But can you take hummus backpacking? Hummus is not a recommended food to …

Backpacking is one of the best ways to enjoy some quality time in the great outdoors. But if there’s one thing that all backpackers struggle with at one point in their hiking careers, it’s the base weight of their packs. But what is a good base weight for backpacking, you might ask? A good base …

If you love to cook creative backpacking meals, then you have probably wondered about bringing butter on an outing. A dash of butter while sauteing meat and veggies can take an average dish and infuse it with flavor. But for the backcountry chefs among us, the thought of carrying butter into the mountains where there’s …

Alongside a tent and a sleeping bag, a backpacking stove is often thought of as an essential part of any backcountry camping trip. But can you backpack without a stove? Yes, you can backpack without a stove, and doing so is actually quite popular among ultralight hikers. Although bringing a stove gives you the ability …