I’m a web designer and developer living in Austin, Texas. I work with great people to create great experiences. When not working on my craft, I’m planning my next adventure.
I'm currently taking on new projects. Email me or get to know me.
Monday, December 31, 2012
Anyone know what type of bird this is? Vibrant blue and around every turn in high country at Big Bend. #birders #bird #blue #backpacking #bigbend #texas
Monday, December 31, 2012
Couldn’t figure out why this was called Boot Canyon, but it was pretty so I took a photo. #bigbend #backpacking #texas
Monday, December 31, 2012
Great way to start the day. Making coffee on my alco stove while laying on my thermarest in my hexamid. #backpacking #bigbend
Monday, December 31, 2012
@krwebber1 posing awkwardly, wondering why I’m taking her photo, oblivious to the 8 point buck behind her. /cc @le_design #bigbend #texas #deer #buck #backpacking
Friday, April 20, 2012
I’m sitting in the Austin Bergstrom Airport battling zero ATT coverage and spotty Boingo WIFI waiting for my flight to Columbia where I’ll be spending the next 10 days. Between now and the 30th I’ll be competing in the Mud Run, doing some overnight backpacking on the Palmetto Trail, meeting project deadlines from coffee shops, and attending the best web conference in the South East, ConvergeSE.
As usual, I’ve packed light. However, this trip includes a wider variety of activities than I’m used to packing for, so I thought I’d share my gear list. In 10 days I’ll let you know how everything performed.
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Electronics are a given in any backpacker’s kit these days. Cameras, phones, headlamps, water purifiers, and GPS units are all common items found in any pack. Chances are, some (or most) of these are powered by USB. Traditionally, backpackers have simply carried extra batteries or resupplied in town. With USB devices, that’s not an option. So, how do you charge these USB devices in the field?
While there are many solutions for each situation, I’ll share the solution I’ve found that works best for me.
On almost every trip I’ve got three electronics; iPhone, steripen, and headlamp. The steripen and headlamp are both powered by disposable batteries. The iPhone, however, is charged via USB.
For many the answer may be to simply keep their smartphone turned off, and only turn it on if it’s needed. This is not an option for me. My iPhone serves many uses. By order of use, it is a camera (both still and video), map, guidebook, reference, notepad, blogging device (blog, twitter, instagram, etc.), entertainment, and finally, a phone1.
With that in mind, it’s easy to see that it will need to be charged a few times between each resupply on a long trip. To do this, I rely on a mobile battery pack. More specifically, the best one I’ve found is the Just Mobile Gum Pro.
In my experience, if the Gum Pro has a full charge it is able to power my iPhone a solid three full charges. Even under heavy use, this enables me to go a good four days between towns. At that sort of capacity, you’d expect the Gum Pro to be heavy. It’s not. On my scale it comes in at 4.3oz. To make this thing even better, it’s incredibly affordable, costing $49.99.
You should also be aware, there is a new power pack from Just Mobile available that has the same specs but is wrapped in an Apple-inspired design. This is the Just Mobile Gum Plus Power Pack and it comes in about $10 more at $58.
1. More about how I use my iPhone on the trail in a future post.
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
During the summer of 2011, a group of multimedia artists spent 25 days hiking the 219 mile long John Muir Trail. The intent was to capture their experience on the trail and bring it back to the general public in the form of a gallery exhibit including photographs, video installations and hands-on displays that allow visitors to truly get a feeling for the beauty and majesty of the trail without the burning lungs and blisters. Alongside the exhibit will be a feature length documentary chronicling their adventures on the trail.
This is the first glimpse into their epic journey, accompanied by the single, ALMOST THERE by Opus Orange.
(Source: themuirproject.com)
Monday, August 1, 2011
After 46 days, 11 hours and 20 minutes Jen has finally finished the 2,181 mile trail. She reached the end at 3:26 p.m. today. Hard to express how proud of her we are. Pics and more stories from the trail to come soon.
This is so bad ass. It’s difficult to fathom just how difficult this is. She makes tour riders look like amateurs. They cover 2100 miles in 23 days.. on bikes! Not only was she on foot, she was on the Appalachian Trail - the most difficult of the three major US trails to maintain big miles on. I don’t think this record will be touched for a very long time.
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Next to the Nimblewill Nomad video, this has got to be the second best video on all of YouTube! The excitement in Andy’s face here is classic. Love it.
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Found this great candid interview of legendary thru-hiker Nimblewill Nomad while browsing through Andrew Skurka’s videos. Amazing.
