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No, I didn’t backpack through Hyde Park or bushwhack Lollapalooza. The following is an unconventional trip report by Bivouac standards: On Friday May 29, 2015, I boarded a 6am Amtrak to Chicago Union Station to visit friends at Northwestern University in Evanston, a suburb of the Windy City. They all had class until 7pm, and my only choices for trains were 6:40am (arriving 11am) or a 7pm (arriving 11pm). Essentially, I’d have 6 hours to kill in the greater downtown Chicago area before I met m … read more

The Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore is one of Michigan’s natural treasures, and in early May, I got to explore its many trails and campsites over a 5-day backpacking trip. For anyone who hasn’t been, pictures don’t do it justice: I had wanted to hike Pictured Rocks for so long and spent hours poring over trail maps and guide books, but even professional photos don’t capture how amazing it is. I looked over hundred foot sheer cliffs onto floating chunks of ice in Lake Superior. I hiked the p … read more

Last November, I took both the Sea to Summit UltraLight Sleeping Mat and the Sea to Summit ComfortLight Sleeping Mat on a trip to the Smoky Mountains for five days and four nights.Both mattresses are great technical pieces that take up very little space when packed and offer a great night’s sleep, but their differences are worth noting.The UltraLight Mat Weighing in at 12.5 oz this 2” air mattress is a great go-to piece for the weight conscious user more than someone who is concerned about … read more