12 Backpackers. 1 Horse. 1 Mule. Eight Thousand Feet Vertical. And the He Devil.

Welcome to sweaty, gasping, dirty adventure. 

Twelve of us mere mortal backpackers, one horse, one mule, taking on seven devils from Hell. Eight thousand feet vertical from the top of the massive He Devil mountain in the Seven Devils Idaho Range to the depths of Hells Canyon and its churning Snake River below. 

Deeper than the Grand Canyon.

We will be there.

3.5 days backpacking. 3 days rafting. September 1 - September 8th, 2014. 

Crew, gear testing, backpacking, whitewater rafting, sponsors, itching, paddling, exploring, writing, hooting and hollering with pure adrenaline joy.

This is what adventure is all about. Stay tuned.

I can't wait. 

-Outdoorsy Mama
"Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better." -Albert Einstein

Check out #HellHikeAndRaft here:
Hell Hike and Raft - An Epic Social Adventure
Seven Devils - Backpacker Magazine 
Hells Canyon National Recreation Area

Cool Outdoorsy Job Openings: Yosemite Conservancy: Communications Manager & Webmaster

Company: Yosemite Conservancy

Job Description: Communications Master & Webmaster

Employment Page: How to apply 

--Outdoorsy Mama
"Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better." -Albert Einstein

Kick-Arse HIKER'S SALAD -- Easy, Delicious & Gets You Ready for a Day on the Trail

I call this my Kick Arse Hiker's Salad. 

Why?

Because after eating it I feel like I can go all day. It makes me feel good and it sustains me as I head out for a day on the trail or a day in the trenches with the kids. 

Super simple. Super healthy*. Super easy. I am eating a version of this almost every day now for an early lunch. Enjoy!

Kick-Arse HIKER'S SALAD Recipe

Ingredients  

Hinode brown rice - Calrose medium grain* 

Baby arugula 

Garbanzo beans - chickpeas

Dried cranberries

Extra virgin olive oil

Soy sauce

Vinaigrette dressing

The key to this salad is the rice. This brand has rocked it for me. Of course, feel free to play with other brands.

Directions

If possible, make fresh rice so that it is hot when you are ready to eat your salad. Take a large scoop of the fresh or re-heated rice and put it at the bottom of your plate/salad bowl. Having the rice hot is crucial to this salad! 

Drizzle small amount of the olive oil and soy sauce over the heated rice.

Take a large handful of baby arugula and put on-top of the rice. Pour a scoop of garbanzo beans onto the arugula. Sprinkle with a small amount of dried cranberries.

Drizzle more soy onto the arugula and add a small drizzle of your favorite vinaigrette. One of my faves is Girard's Champagne dressing that's carried in most supermarkets.

Boom - done!

You can substitute or add. Add grilled salmon or chicken. Add baby kale. Add raisins. And all quantities at your own discretion. 

*I am not a nutritionist, so make sure you do your homework for what's right for you. And enjoy! Love it, hate it? Let me know.

-Outdoorsy Mama

"Look deep into nature and then you will understand everything better." -Albert Einstein

Other interesting food info:

Eat more of this and less of that - for families 

Top 10 camping foods to bring on the family camping trip

The importance of family dinner 

Healthier trail mix ideas 

Guys, FIVE Things Your Outdoorsy Gal Really Wants for Mother’s Day: Red Mountain Resort, SUP, Trail Running Shoes, etc.

Moms really want? Hammock time...

What does your gal really want for Mother's Day?

1 - Peace & Quiet

Wow her. Grab the kids and head out the door. Give her a couple hours or a day of peace & quiet. I call it "Hammock Time"... Tip: Honestly, it’s the tops!

2 - Breakfast in Bed with Decadent Berries

Find the most gorgeous organic, wild, happily picked berries – blueberries, raspberries, strawberries – load into a bowl. A side of yogurt. Some walnuts. Almonds. Dried cranberries. Tip: Add a delicious cup of freshly brewed joe and you’re golden.

Love, love, love my new trail shoes.

3 - New Trail Running or Hiking Shoes

Pamper her feet with the latest technology in trail shoes. You know she loves to get out and craves the trail. Get serious. Get her into a store that specializes in shoes and have an expert look at her foot shape. Find the right brand to match her feet and activity level. Tip: Keep an eye out for Brooks. North Face. Saucony. 

4 - A Paddleboard - SUP

It’s hot. It’s trendy. It’s great for her core. And it’s zen time for mama as she gently glides through the wetlands, the lake, the meandering river and gets a workout to boot. What a treat. Shop smart - do your research. Each board company is unique and there are different boards for beginners to experts. Tip: REI has an enormous selection. Here's an inflatable version that Cousin T loves.

5 - An Adventure Away - for the 2 of u or w/a girlfriend

Happy adventuring mama

Pick a 3-4 overnight adventure. Leave the kids behind. Grab your gal and run. Create your own or find an outdoor company or resort to help. Yosemite. The Rockies. The Smokies..... I discovered Red Mountain Resort in St George, Utah last year. Stunning red rocks everywhere. Daily hikes from moderate to ass-kicking. Canyoneering and trips to Zion as add-ons. Book it! Tip: Look for "special offers" at places like Red Mountain Resort. 

Pamper your gal. She birthed your kids. And she'll love you even more, forever. 

-Outdoorsy Mama

"Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better." -Albert Einstein

For more fun info:
Last Year's Top 5 Outdoorsy Mama List

Utah Adventure - Zion

Utah Adventure - Canyoneering

Hiking Shoes for Women Review - Video 

The Hammock