Feels like I have mono (though I could just be really bored), a major snowstorm is beginning to take shape outside, and I have nothing particularly interesting to say today. Therefore, I’m in full blog-reading catch-up mode. Here’s a few posts from my favorite bloggers that I think you’ll enjoy:

– 501 Places — a cool travel blog — hits the proverbial nail on the head with 6 Tips For Successful Complaining.

– National Geographic Adventure folded last month, but as they promised, they’re back with some web content, which is cool.

– Wend Magazine’s blog tells you how to get free condoms from Climb Addict so you can “keep climbing, not parenting.”

Anybody else camping out on the couch with the laptop today? If you see anything interesting for me to read/watch, feel free to add it in the comments. Thanks!

It’s 18 degrees here in PA — 13 w/ wind chill — so I got to thinkin’ about my recent  trip to (relatively) warm Joshua Tree National Park last December. Enjoy the vid. My glass of wine and I just got done viewing #3 of the evening. I’ll be back soon, ol’ J-Tree.

Know how to boil water and slice some cheese? Sweet! I saw this video the other day and decided to test it out.  The results were delicious! Try it on your next hike and let me know how it goes.

Recipe and video courtesy freezerbagcooking.com

It’s hard to find a good hiking podcast.  There’s some quality content out there, but most of it is either out of date or very rarely updated.  To save you some time, here are 5 relevant, high quality, info-packed, entertaining hiking podcasts for your listening and viewing pleasure.  I know there’s more out there, so if you’d like to rep your favorite hiking podcast, do so in the comments below!

(Note:  This list is hiking/backpacking-specific.  There are a few awesome mountaineering podcasts out there which I will feature in a future post)

Add a little variety to your trail lunch with Trail Quesadillas, and the best/most easiest version is this one from TrailCooking.com. The ingredients are simple:  tortillas and 2 packs of little cheese cubes.  That’s it.  All you need is a medium-sized titanium pan (gotta keep it lightweight!), a stove and an appetite. Watch Sarah from TrailCooking make it from scratch:

Do you have a favorite trail quesadilla recipe to share?  Add to the comments below!

Ok, the purists might hate this one, but the MacGyver in me loves it.  All you need is some steel wool, your cell phone and some tinder (dryer lint ftw!) and you’ve got fire!  Video from the team at Backpacker:

Stay dry

Everyone and his brother has an opinion on how to choose the best rain gear for hikes both long and short.  Ignore everyone (and their brothers) and allow the experts below to guide you in the right direction.