Photo: Flash-Sport “It’s pretty rare that I use poles… but when I have, the Black Diamond Distance Carbon Z Poles are awesome! Lightweight and collapsible, they are easy to carry or stow. They are great on steep ascents.” – Janessa Taylor “Fast and Light” is a common theme among our ambassadors. It is important to be able to move fast and light on the side of … Continue reading #skoutfind: Black Diamond Distance Carbon Z Poles
“I have never been an athlete. Because my family didn’t have much growing up, work always had to take precedence over sports. As a young adult, work, again, had to take precedence so I could pursue an education. It wasn’t until the fall of 2009 that I began running and learned what it meant to be an athlete. Since then, I have seen places I … Continue reading Skout Ambassador: Desiree Marek
“The Simple Hydration bottle is my favorite minimalist system for carrying water while racing and moving fast. It tucks into my waistband, doesn’t bounce, and let’s me run with hands free efficiency.” – Brian Donnelly Trail & Ultra Runner | Fast-Packer | Skout Backcountry Ambassador “The Simple Hydration Water Bottle is a crowd-funded product. Initial funding came from other runners and individuals through Kickstarter” explains Simple … Continue reading #skoutfind: Simple Hydration Water Bottle
The Pacific Crest Trail is renowned in the Oregon outdoor scene for its rugged terrain, wild beauty, and vast expanse. But it is even more significant to us at Skout Backcountry. It was right before her thru-hike of the PCT that Amy Buglione first contacted us, unaware that four years later she would be a vital member of Team Skout Backcountry. This is her story. In … Continue reading Thru-Hiking the PCT: Amy Buglione
Last night was the first in our three-part Skout Backcountry Speaker Series, and we couldn’t have been happier with the turnout! It was another packed house at Base Camp Brewing, and the atmosphere alone was exhilarating. The packed room went silent as Willie McBride taught us that “the mind is primary.” Relaying stories from his countless adventures — trekking across Patagonia, journeys in Yosemite, ultra racing in pitch darkness without … Continue reading #skoutoutside: Speaker Series Part 1 – Willie McBride
This week’s #skoutfind comes recommended by a few members of #teamskoutbackcountry! Both Bethany Patterson and Ashley Kelly highly recommend the VaporAiress Hydration Backpack from Nathan. Bethany says, “I love my Nathan pack. It’s been my go-to pack for the last few years!” The VaporAiress is built to sit high up on the back so it doesn’t bounce while running. Extremely lightweight, at just 9.3 oz, the VaporAiress … Continue reading #skoutfind: VaporAiress Hydration Backpack
We couldn’t have asked for a better turn out for the film fest, which has us even more excited about the Skout Backcountry Speaker Series! The three-part speaker series will be a great chance to learn about our ambassador team and their experiences with various sports, gear, training, and nutrition. Our aim with #skoutoutside has been to open a dialog within the PNW outdoor community, creating opportunities to share stories, enthusiasm, and … Continue reading #skoutoutside: Skout Backcountry Speaker Series
This one’s for you committed minimalists out there—mountaineers, ultralight backpackers, touring cyclists, and climbers—looking for lightweight emergency weather protection. The Outdoor Research Helium Bivy Sack is OR’s lightest bivy, at just 18oz. Widely praised for its durability, the tough, 70-denier nylon floor is built to hold up against the roughest of terrains. The OR Helium Bivy provides protection from the elements while remaining somewhat spacious. A … Continue reading #skoutfind: Outdoor Research Helium Bivy Sack
Last night’s film fest was more than we could have asked for from the first-ever #skoutoutside event. We were simply amazed at the turnout and the response to each and every film! Steven Mortinson’s “The Resistance“, featuring Team Skout Backcountry’s Tyler Green kicked off the film festival. Following Steven Mortinson‘s first film was his documentary of the 2016 attempt at the FKT for the Oregon Pacific Crest Trail. In … Continue reading #skoutoutside: Skout Backcountry Film Fest
This week’s #skoutfind is for the trail running minimalist. Ultra runner Ashley Nordell says, “For any long run, my go-to item is my UltrAspire Spry 2.0 with the flask-shaped bottles. I wear 1-2 bottles in the front for easy access. At aid stations I don’t have to take off my pack to fill a bladder — I just pull out the bottles, refill, and go. … Continue reading #skoutfind: UltrAspire Spry 2.0
Skout Backcountry 