Hi, I’m Lisa “Deepdive” Holmes, a guidebook author & graphic designer.
I post trip reports and info about gear, skills, and backpacking food.
At Beacon Rock State Park, several former logging roads have been gated and turned into trails for hikers and equestrians. Beacon Rock and Hamilton Mountain are the more popular destinations here, while Hardy Ridge is far less crowded.
While it’s important to find gear that works for you based on your individual needs, it can be helpful to hear about what works for others. This is my typical backpacking gear list, with info about how I use each item.
This is a simple camper setup for a 2007 Honda CR-V that allows for leaving the seats in. Instead of building a platform for the bed, I use two plastic bins and a board for support.
Finding a suitable campsite can make the difference between getting a good night’s sleep, or tossing and turning most of the night. Where you set up camp also can have impacts on the natural environment, so it’s good to be aware of a few guidelines.
Tips for setting up a camp kitchen, how to store food in the backcountry, and a step-by-step guide to hanging food using the PCT method
The Tarptent Aeon Li tent is an ultralight single-wall one-person tent that utilizes trekking poles and stakes for setup. This is my go-to tent for most backpacking trips due to the low weight – just 1 pound!
One of the most important sources of info about hiking and backpacking destinations are the rangers who manage the public lands we recreate in.
Discover hikes in each of Oregon’s Seven Wonders: the Oregon Coast, Columbia River Gorge, Mount Hood, Smith Rock, Crater Lake, and the Wallowas.
Whether you consider yourself a beginning backpacker, or it’s been awhile since your last trip and you want to brush up on your skills, this book will help you plan a trip, learn about gear options, and provide tips for your time on the trail and at camp.