g00se

Reviewer of the Month: February 2014 , May 2016

11,749 reviewer rep
1,399 forum posts
joined Dec 29, 2012

I am a: caver
Location: Carlinville, IL
Occupation: Cubical Monkey for State of Illinois

Activities

Hiking
Backpacking
Snowshoeing
 Caving
Road Biking
Running

Vitals

Height6'2"
Weight170lbs
Boot/Shoe Size10.5
Jacket/Shirt Size42L
Pant Size32x34

When I'm not working my soul-sucking job as a state employee, I'm caving, running marathons, biking, hiking, or camping (or doing all three at once). My camping ranges from using the pop-up camper with the wife and kids to week-long backpacking.

In March 2013, I was diagnosed with osteoarthritis in both knees. In order to continue with hiking and backpacking, I have started using trekking poles. I prefer hammock camping and avoid the ground as much as I can. 

Gear Reviews (150)

user rating: 4 of 5 Merrell Men's MQM Flex 1/25/2020
user rating: 1 of 5 Merrell Men's Moab Edge 9/19/2018
user rating: 4 of 5 Clif Cool Mint Chocolate Bar 1/10/2018
user rating: 4.5 of 5 Chaco Men's Z/1 Unaweep 1/03/2018
user rating: 1 of 5 Clif Hot Chocolate Bar 10/23/2017
user rating: 4 of 5 Mountain House Spaghetti with Meat Sauce 10/13/2017
user rating: 4 of 5 Komperdell Wild Rambler 10/04/2017
user rating: 5 of 5 Vargo ExoTi 50 9/05/2017
user rating: 5 of 5 Darn Tough Men's Vertex 1/4 Sock Ultra-Light Cushion 5/07/2017
user rating: 3 of 5 Klymit Insulated Hammock V 5/02/2017
user rating: 4.5 of 5 Therm-a-Rest Slacker Hammock House 4/24/2017
user rating: 3.5 of 5 UCO A-120 4/16/2017
user rating: 5 of 5 AT Beard Mower 4/01/2017
user rating: 4 of 5 Dorfman Pacific G809 Ski Glove 3/27/2017
user rating: 5 of 5 Ibex Meru Hat 3/20/2017
user rating: 5 of 5 Arc'teryx Rho LTW Neck Gaiter 3/14/2017
user rating: 3 of 5 Good To-Go Smoked Three Bean Chili 3/01/2017
user rating: 5 of 5 Good To-Go Thai Curry 2/28/2017
user rating: 0.5 of 5 Energia Hexa-Pot 2/19/2017
user rating: 5 of 5 TheTentLab Deuce of Spades #2 2/13/2017
user rating: 3 of 5 Outdoor Research Sonic Balaclava 1/01/2017
user rating: 4.5 of 5 Adventure Medical Kits Ultralight & Watertight .7 9/27/2016
user rating: 5 of 5 Sawyer Stay-Put Sunscreen SPF 30 9/13/2016
user rating: 4.5 of 5 Leki Men's Micro Vario Carbon DDS 8/02/2016
user rating: 4.5 of 5 Tentsile X3 Giant Pegs 5/16/2016
user rating: 3 of 5 Tentsile Flite Tree Tent 4/25/2016
user rating: 5 of 5 Lost Creek Flint Ridge 2/01/2016
user rating: 5 of 5 Lost Creek Monster TAG 2/01/2016
user rating: 3 of 5 Granger's Extreme Cleaner Spray-on 1/11/2016
user rating: 4.5 of 5 Singing Rock Digger Cave Harness 1/03/2016
user rating: 4 of 5 Therm-a-Rest Slacker Hammock Warmer 11/17/2015
user rating: 4.5 of 5 Therm-a-Rest Corus HD Quilt 11/10/2015
user rating: 5 of 5 Road ID Wrist ID Sport 10/28/2015
user rating: 4.5 of 5 Marmot Men's Scree Pant 10/12/2015
user rating: 5 of 5 StickPic Cell Phone Adapter 9/30/2015
user rating: 5 of 5 Eagles Nest Outfitters Sub7 9/15/2015
user rating: 4.5 of 5 Eagles Nest Outfitters Helios Suspension System 9/15/2015
user rating: 4.5 of 5 Grand Trunk Trunk Straps 8/18/2015
user rating: 5 of 5 Crawldaddies Knee Pads 7/26/2015
user rating: 4.5 of 5 StickPic 7/15/2015
user rating: 3 of 5 Therm-a-Rest Slacker Single Hammock 5/11/2015
user rating: 5 of 5 SafeRingz 3/19/2015
user rating: 4.5 of 5 Canada Goose Trenton Jacket 3/10/2015
user rating: 0.5 of 5 Voormi Access Pullover 3/03/2015
user rating: 4 of 5 OtterBox 1000 2/01/2015
user rating: 3 of 5 Grand Trunk Nano 7 1/25/2015
user rating: 4 of 5 Sea to Summit Big River Dry Sack 1/19/2015
user rating: 5 of 5 Swaygo Push Pack 1/11/2015
user rating: 1 of 5 InstaFire 1/05/2015
user rating: 4 of 5 Gempler PVC Plain Toe Boots 10/24/2014
user rating: 5 of 5 ZebraLight H600 MK II 10/15/2014
user rating: 5 of 5 Mariani Cranberry Honeybar 10/07/2014
user rating: 4.5 of 5 GCI Outdoors PackSeat 9/30/2014
user rating: 1 of 5 ZonePerfect Fudge Graham Bar 9/24/2014
user rating: 4.5 of 5 Princeton Tec Fuel 9/19/2014
user rating: 4.5 of 5 Aquaclip 9/05/2014
user rating: 2 of 5 Timex Health Touch Heart Rate 8/25/2014
user rating: 4 of 5 Leatherman Style PS 8/19/2014
user rating: 4 of 5 Evernew Titanium Mug 400 8/12/2014
user rating: 2 of 5 Black Diamond Gizmo 7/29/2014
user rating: 4 of 5 Smartwool Men's Hiking Ultra Light Mini 7/21/2014
user rating: 3 of 5 Eagles Nest Outfitters Fast Fly Rain Tarp 7/04/2014
user rating: 5 of 5 Smartwool PhD Run Medium Mini Sock 6/29/2014
user rating: 2 of 5 Falcon Guides Ultralight Backpackin' Tips 6/08/2014
user rating: 4 of 5 Injinji Performance Crew Sock 6/01/2014
user rating: 5 of 5 The Ultimate Hang An Illustrated Guide to Hammock Camping 5/22/2014
user rating: 4 of 5 Light & Motion Focus Head 5/20/2014
user rating: 4.5 of 5 Light & Motion GoBe+ 700 Wide 5/20/2014
user rating: 4.5 of 5 Light & Motion GoBe+ 500 Search 5/20/2014
user rating: 4 of 5 Restop 2 for Solid Waste 5/12/2014
user rating: 4.5 of 5 Vargo Ti-Arc Pack 5/05/2014
user rating: 5 of 5 Sole Softec Response 4/30/2014
user rating: 4.5 of 5 Sweetspot 4/27/2014
user rating: 5 of 5 Patagonia Men's Drifter A/C 4/22/2014
user rating: 3.5 of 5 Kind Fruit & Nut Bar 4/21/2014
user rating: 0.5 of 5 Libby's Seasoned Beef Crumbles 4/19/2014
user rating: 4 of 5 Ibex Zepher Skull Cap 4/06/2014
user rating: 5 of 5 Dream Hammock DangerBird 4/02/2014
user rating: 4 of 5 MSR Strike Igniter 3/31/2014
user rating: 0.5 of 5 Goal Zero USB Smart Adapter 3/11/2014
user rating: 5 of 5 Black Rock Gear The Original 3/06/2014
user rating: 5 of 5 Redfeather Men's Hike 3/03/2014
user rating: 4.5 of 5 Pearl Izumi PRO Softshell Lobster Glove 2/17/2014
user rating: 5 of 5 Trailspace Innate Motus Top Reviewer Water Bottle 2/11/2014
user rating: 1 of 5 Goal Zero Guide 10 Power Pack 2/10/2014
user rating: 4 of 5 Smartwool Men's Microweight Crew 2/02/2014
user rating: 5 of 5 Menasha Ridge Press The Best in Tent Camping: Illinois 1/27/2014
user rating: 4 of 5 Eastman Outdoors Food Dehydrator 4 Tray 1/07/2014
user rating: 5 of 5 Jacks 'R' Better Greylock 3 1/04/2014
user rating: 2.5 of 5 Wild Country Lightweight Base Layer Top 1/01/2014
user rating: 5 of 5 Black Diamond Ultra Distance 1/01/2014
user rating: 5 of 5 Dutchware Stingerz 11/27/2013
user rating: 4.5 of 5 Marmot Men's Trestles 15 11/27/2013
user rating: 4 of 5 Gerber EVO Jr. 11/14/2013
user rating: 2 of 5 Selk'bag 4G Patagon 11/10/2013
user rating: 5 of 5 Outdoor Products Threshold Cross-Country Gaiter 10/19/2013
user rating: 2 of 5 Wigwam Rebel Fusion Quarter Sock 9/27/2013
user rating: 0.5 of 5 Backpacker's Pantry Organic Sicilian Lasagna 9/22/2013
user rating: 2.5 of 5 Petzl e+LITE 9/08/2013
user rating: 4.5 of 5 Ultimate Survival Technologies Sparkie 8/13/2013
user rating: 2 of 5 REI Otto Spring Gaiters 7/27/2013
user rating: 5 of 5 Sea to Summit AlphaLight Long Spoon 7/20/2013
user rating: 2.5 of 5 Bell Plantation PB2 7/13/2013
user rating: 4.5 of 5 Dutchware Ridgeline Biners 7/10/2013
user rating: 3 of 5 REI Travel Sack +55 6/14/2013
user rating: 5 of 5 Trangia 27-8 UL/HA 6/09/2013
user rating: 5 of 5 Wenzel Camp Pad 6/03/2013
user rating: 4.5 of 5 GSI Outdoors Halulite Minimalist Cookset 5/31/2013
user rating: 4 of 5 Outdoor Products Backpacker Rain Cover 5/12/2013
user rating: 3 of 5 Mountainsmith Rain Cover 5/12/2013
user rating: 3.5 of 5 Sea to Summit Delta Mug 5/04/2013
user rating: 3.5 of 5 Optimus Terra Cookset 5/02/2013
user rating: 2.5 of 5 Eagles Nest Outfitters Hot Spot 4/27/2013
user rating: 5 of 5 Trailspace Trail Runner Cap 4/26/2013
user rating: 5 of 5 Petzl Go Oval Maillon 4/26/2013
user rating: 2.5 of 5 Petzl Am'D 4/26/2013
user rating: 4 of 5 Omega Pacific Jake 3-Stage Quik-Lok 4/26/2013
user rating: 3 of 5 Omega Pacific Standard Locking D 4/26/2013
user rating: 5 of 5 Petzl Delta 4/26/2013
user rating: 5 of 5 Maxim KM III 4/25/2013
user rating: 4 of 5 Singing Rock Footer Ascender Sling 4/25/2013
user rating: 1 of 5 Petzl Shunt 4/25/2013
user rating: 4 of 5 Singing Rock Puller Chest Ascender Harness 4/25/2013
user rating: 5 of 5 Petzl Pantin 4/25/2013
user rating: 5 of 5 Petzl Ascension 4/25/2013
user rating: 5 of 5 Petzl Croll 4/25/2013
user rating: 5 of 5 CMI Rescue Rack 4/25/2013
user rating: 5 of 5 Black Diamond ATC 4/25/2013
user rating: 5 of 5 BlueWater Ropes Rescue 8 4/25/2013
user rating: 4 of 5 Therm-a-Rest Z Lite 4/24/2013
user rating: 5 of 5 Platypus Platy Bottle 4/24/2013
user rating: 4 of 5 Eagles Nest Outfitters RestNest 4/24/2013
user rating: 3 of 5 Stoic Men's Hadron Down Cardigan 3/26/2013
user rating: 2 of 5 Goal Zero Nomad 7 3/21/2013
user rating: 4.5 of 5 Sierra Designs Ridge Runner 15 3/21/2013
user rating: 5 of 5 MSR Groundhog Tent Stakes 3/15/2013
user rating: 0.5 of 5 SteriPEN Journey LCD 3/15/2013
user rating: 1 of 5 Nite Ize Figure 9 Tent Line Kit 3/01/2013
user rating: 4.5 of 5 REI Men's Talus 35 Pack 2/09/2013
user rating: 0.5 of 5 Eagles Nest Outfitters Ember 2 2/02/2013
user rating: 4.5 of 5 Harmony House Backpacking Kit 1/18/2013
user rating: 3 of 5 Princeton Tec Apex 1/17/2013
user rating: 5 of 5 Trangia Spirit Stove 1/17/2013
user rating: 4.5 of 5 MSR PocketRocket 1/17/2013
user rating: 2 of 5 Wenzel StarLite 1/17/2013
user rating: 3 of 5 Kelty Grand Teton 2.0 1/17/2013
user rating: 4 of 5 Kelty Red Cloud 6650 1/17/2013
user rating: 4.5 of 5 Grand Trunk Funky Forest Tarp 1/17/2013
user rating: 4 of 5 Grand Trunk Skeeter Beeter Pro 1/05/2013
user rating: 3 of 5 Merrell Men's Moab Ventilator 12/29/2012

Trip Reports

Discovery of Hazel Creek Crawl Cave September 20, 2018
Blackfathom Cave September 5, 2018
End of 2017 Caving Trip January 3, 2018
T.A.G. Fall Cave In October 10, 2017
Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness-Sept '17 September 19, 2017
Early December Caving in T.A.G. December 23, 2016
Daughter's First Vertical Caving Trip November 21, 2016
Christmas Caving with the Kids December 30, 2015
Caving Last Weekend December 13, 2015
Mt. Rainier--My first mountaineering experience September 29, 2015
Smith's Blowhole Cave December 15, 2014
Southern Appalachian Caving Trip October 31, 2014
Boundary Waters Wilderness Canoe Area Sept 6-13, 2014 September 19, 2014
Fredricksburg Cave September 2, 2014
Father's Day Caving (claustrophobia free trip report) June 16, 2014
River To River Trail April 2014 April 20, 2014
A Walk in the Front Range March 4, 2014
My Daughter Called Me "Fat" January 7, 2014
Testing the limits of my hammock November 24, 2013
Sullivan Cave Part 3--VIDEO October 9, 2013
view all »

Forum Posts

Discovery of Hazel Creek Crawl Cave September 20, 2018
Outfitting at Walmart. August 14, 2018
Startup Needing Your Input! September 16, 2018
Blackfathom Cave September 5, 2018
Guy jumps into snow and gets more than he bargained for. January 27, 2018
Geezerhood and backpacking February 9, 2018
Sleeping Bag January 29, 2018
How many people in the US go trekking/hiking? January 23, 2018
Outdoor Retailer Winter 2018 January 22, 2018
What age to start kids into winter backpacking? January 23, 2018
Cleaning Titanium January 22, 2018
Mice... January 19, 2018
Hello world. (Intro and gear list review request) January 23, 2018
This is not good news January 16, 2018
Ibex merino December 1, 2017
Trekking Poles: Do you really need them? September 21, 2017
Layering System and Recommendations for a Beginner January 2, 2018
Backpacking Trip 5-7 Days January 3, 2018
Thoughts about cold weather January 3, 2018
Trailspace at Point Reyes December 29, 2017
view all »