andrew f. (leadbelly2550)

TOP 10 REVIEWER REVIEW CORPS
Reviewer of the Month: September 2012 , September 2017

7,057 reviewer rep
2,303 forum posts
joined Feb 7, 2007

I am a: hiker
Location: Cabin John, MD
Occupation: lawyer

Activities

Hiking
Backpacking
Snowshoeing
Trail running
 Orienteering
Mountaineering
Geocacheing
Canoeing

Vitals

Height5' 9"
Weight215
Torso Length20.5
Boot/Shoe Size11.5 wide
Jacket/Shirt SizeXL/46
Pant Size38 waist

I have been an avid hiker/outdoors person from a young age. I have hiked throughout the high peaks in the Adirondacks, the presidential range in New Hampshire, and a number of other mountains in Vermont and New Hampshire on many occasions over the years, all seasons. I also canoe and trail run fairly regularly. I currently live in Maryland and hike either by the Potomac River on local trails, on small nearby mountains, or in Shenendoah National Park and surrounding areas. I try to take at least one winter backpacking trip annually, so I have a fair amount of experience with snowshoes, crampons, and other winter gear, including large, heavy backpacks and clothing suitable for sub-zero, highly windy conditions.

I have also hiked and camped on occasion in Northern California, the Arabian Gulf, Asia, Central America, and Eastern Europe.

During college, I spent two summers leading teenagers on hiking/backpacking, cycling, and canoe trips in and around the Adirondacks. 

Gear Reviews (154)

user rating: 4.5 of 5 Patagonia Men's Retro Pile Vest 1/20/2020
user rating: 4.5 of 5 Patagonia Better Sweater Rib Knit 1/4-Zip 12/01/2019
user rating: 4 of 5 Stoked Goods Stoke Lip & Face Balm 12/01/2019
user rating: 5 of 5 Bedrock Sandals Cairn 3D 9/25/2019
user rating: 5 of 5 Mystery Ranch Men's Coulee 40 8/14/2019
user rating: 4.5 of 5 Hydrapak Shape-Shift 3L 6/24/2019
user rating: 3.5 of 5 Royal Robbins Men's Merinolux Flannel Long Sleeve Shirt 5/02/2019
user rating: 4.5 of 5 Balega Blister Resist Quarter 4/22/2019
user rating: 4.5 of 5 Eddie Bauer First Ascent Guide Gloves 2/02/2019
user rating: 5 of 5 Patagonia Men's Capilene Air Crew 1/14/2019
user rating: 5 of 5 Kahtoola MICROspikes 1/14/2019
user rating: 4.5 of 5 Salomon Men's XA Pro 3D 1/01/2019
user rating: 5 of 5 Garmin Forerunner 235 12/25/2018
user rating: 4.5 of 5 Patagonia Men's Capilene Thermal Weight Zip-Neck 12/24/2018
user rating: 4.5 of 5 Mystery Ranch Urban Assault 21 11/21/2018
user rating: 4 of 5 Five Ten Men's Guide Tennie 8/16/2018
user rating: 5 of 5 Oboz Men's Bridger Low Waterproof 7/18/2018
user rating: 3.5 of 5 Badger Sport Broad Spectrum SPF 35 Sunscreen 7/06/2018
user rating: 4.5 of 5 Oboz Men's Wind River III Waterproof 5/25/2018
user rating: 4 of 5 Oboz Men's Campster 5/18/2018
user rating: 5 of 5 The North Face Base Camp Duffel 5/03/2018
user rating: 4 of 5 L.L.Bean Men's Mountain Classic Anorak 4/01/2018
user rating: 3.5 of 5 Marmot Exum Guide Undercuff Glove 3/11/2018
user rating: 5 of 5 Bedrock Sandals Cairn Pro 3/07/2018
user rating: 5 of 5 Rab Men's Infinity Endurance Jacket 1/26/2018
user rating: 5 of 5 Arc'teryx Men's Alpha AR Jacket 1/01/2018
user rating: 4 of 5 My Trail Storm UL Jacket 12/27/2017
user rating: 4.5 of 5 Patagonia Men's Crosstrek Bottoms 12/10/2017
user rating: 4 of 5 Xero Shoes Men's Z-Trail 12/04/2017
user rating: 5 of 5 Icebreaker Fingerless Merino Wool Gloves 11/24/2017
user rating: 4 of 5 Vibram Men's FiveFingers Spyridon LS 9/21/2017
user rating: 5 of 5 Icebreaker Oasis Crewe S/S 9/04/2017
user rating: 4.5 of 5 Yeti Rambler Bottle 36oz 9/01/2017
user rating: 4 of 5 Chaco Men's Z/Cloud 2 8/07/2017
user rating: 5 of 5 Patagonia Men's R1 Hoody 4/08/2017
user rating: 2 of 5 Gregory 3D Hydro 3L Reservoir 3/06/2017
user rating: 3.5 of 5 Gregory Citro 25 2/23/2017
user rating: 4.5 of 5 Montane Spine Jacket 2/15/2017
user rating: 4.5 of 5 Forty Below Bottle Boots 1L 1/13/2017
user rating: 4.5 of 5 Oboz Men's Bridger Mid Waterproof 1/07/2017
user rating: 4.5 of 5 Black Diamond Men's Guide Gloves 1/01/2017
user rating: 3.5 of 5 Broner Fleece Flip Top Mitten 12/31/2016
user rating: 4 of 5 Wild Things Guide Pack 10/12/2016
user rating: 4 of 5 Patagonia Men's Nano-Air Hoody 10/09/2016
user rating: 4 of 5 MyPakage Action Series Boxer Brief 4/27/2016
user rating: 4.5 of 5 Patagonia Men's R3 Jacket 2/26/2016
user rating: 4 of 5 Oboz Men's Sawtooth Low 2/23/2016
user rating: 4.5 of 5 Steve's Paleogoods Dried Wild Blueberries 1/05/2016
user rating: 4.5 of 5 Patagonia Men's Down Snap-T Pullover 12/06/2015
user rating: 4.5 of 5 Osprey Viper 13 11/02/2015
user rating: 4 of 5 UnTapped Maple Packets 8/28/2015
user rating: 4.5 of 5 Chaco Men's Zong 7/04/2015
user rating: 4.5 of 5 TrekSta Granite 6/14/2015
user rating: 4 of 5 Clif Organic Energy Food 6/06/2015
user rating: 5 of 5 Oboz Teewinot 5/13/2015
user rating: 3.5 of 5 The North Face Men's Hedgehog GTX XCR 1/04/2015
user rating: 4 of 5 Ibex Men's Nomad Full Zip Hoody 12/29/2014
user rating: 4.5 of 5 Fällkniven PXLwh 12/10/2014
user rating: 4.5 of 5 Deuter Pace 36 11/25/2014
user rating: 5 of 5 Mountain Hardwear Men's Ghost Whisperer Hooded Down Jacket 11/19/2014
user rating: 4.5 of 5 Patagonia Men's Alpine Houdini 5/06/2014
user rating: 5 of 5 Patagonia Lightweight Alpine Beanie 2/27/2014
user rating: 4 of 5 Smartwool Cuffed Beanie 2/27/2014
user rating: 4 of 5 Under Armour ColdGear Infrared Fleece Storm Beanie 2/27/2014
user rating: 3.5 of 5 Hestra Men's Heli 3-Finger Glove 2/12/2014
user rating: 4.5 of 5 FITS Sock Medium Hiker Crew 11/10/2013
user rating: 4 of 5 Patagonia Men's Down Sweater 11/10/2013
user rating: 4.5 of 5 Boreas Gear Lost Coast 45 8/20/2013
user rating: 4 of 5 The North Face Men's Paramount Cargo Short 7/03/2013
user rating: 4 of 5 Mountain Hardwear Men's Plasmic Jacket 6/05/2013
user rating: 5 of 5 Mountain Hardwear Men's Phantom Down Hoody 3/15/2013
user rating: 4.5 of 5 Lowe Alpine AirZone Pro 45:55 2/22/2013
user rating: 5 of 5 Outdoor Research Men's Alti Mitts 1/28/2013
user rating: 4.5 of 5 Patagonia Men's Alpine Guide Pants 1/16/2013
user rating: 4.5 of 5 L.L.Bean Men's Maine Hunting Shoe 12/27/2012
user rating: 3 of 5 The North Face Men's Denali Glove 12/07/2012
user rating: 4.5 of 5 Eddie Bauer Men's First Ascent Peak XV Down Jacket 11/29/2012
user rating: 4.5 of 5 Sazzi Digit 11/08/2012
user rating: 4.5 of 5 Feathered Friends Hyperion Vest 11/01/2012
user rating: 4.5 of 5 Platypus Big Zip SL 9/26/2012
user rating: 4 of 5 CamelBak eddy Glass 9/14/2012
user rating: 3.5 of 5 Sazzi Decimal 8/25/2012
user rating: 4.5 of 5 Rocky Mountain Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 70 6/24/2012
user rating: 4 of 5 Marmot Men's Zion Jacket 6/19/2012
user rating: 3 of 5 CamelBak Antidote Reservoir 6/04/2012
user rating: 5 of 5 Patagonia Men's R1 Pullover 2/29/2012
user rating: 5 of 5 Patagonia Men's R1 Pants 2/29/2012
user rating: 4.5 of 5 Patagonia Men's Merino 3 Midweight Crew 2/28/2012
user rating: 4.5 of 5 Patagonia Micro Puff Pants 2/04/2012
user rating: 3.5 of 5 Cabela's Polartec Classic 300 ECWCS Pants 1/09/2012
user rating: 5 of 5 Rab Latok Jacket 12/29/2011
user rating: 5 of 5 Spyderco Para-Military 11/10/2011
user rating: 5 of 5 Integral Designs eVent Shortie Gaiters 10/31/2011
user rating: 4 of 5 Black Diamond Men's Trail Shock 10/01/2011
user rating: 4.5 of 5 Backpacker's Pantry Scrambled Eggs 9/21/2011
user rating: 4 of 5 Adventure Egg Anywhere Scrambles 9/21/2011
user rating: 3.5 of 5 Cache Lake Foods Outfitter's Choice Scrambled Eggs 9/21/2011
user rating: 3 of 5 AlpineAire Foods Scrambled Eggs 9/21/2011
user rating: 3 of 5 Backpacker's Pantry Organic Scrambled Eggs 9/21/2011
user rating: 4.5 of 5 Wild Things Superlight Alpinist Pants 8/27/2011
user rating: 5 of 5 Optimus Nova 8/11/2011
user rating: 3.5 of 5 TrekSta Men's Evolution 7/31/2011
user rating: 4.5 of 5 Smartwool Men's Microweight Tee 7/07/2011
user rating: 4.5 of 5 Icebreaker Hopper Lite 7/07/2011
user rating: 4.5 of 5 SteriPEN Traveler 4/21/2011
user rating: 5 of 5 Granite Gear Round Rock Solid Compression 4/15/2011
user rating: 4.5 of 5 Gregory Baltoro 65 3/31/2011
user rating: 5 of 5 Patagonia Men's Houdini Jacket 3/01/2011
user rating: 5 of 5 Outdoor Research Men's Gripper Gloves 2/22/2011
user rating: 4.5 of 5 Vibram Men's FiveFingers TrekSport 2/16/2011
user rating: 4.5 of 5 CAMP Ice Rider 2/09/2011
user rating: 5 of 5 Mountain Hardwear Ghost SL -40 2/02/2011
user rating: 4 of 5 Marmot Sawtooth 15 2/02/2011
user rating: 4.5 of 5 The North Face Men's Apex Bionic Jacket 12/16/2010
user rating: 4.5 of 5 Cold Cold World Ozone 10/05/2010
user rating: 4.5 of 5 Keen Hydro Guide 9/23/2010
user rating: 4 of 5 Integral Designs eVent Rain Pants 6/11/2010
user rating: 4.5 of 5 Wild Things Snowkite Jacket 5/17/2010
user rating: 5 of 5 Balega Enduro Quarter 4/05/2010
user rating: 5 of 5 Mystery Ranch Snapdragon 3/31/2010
user rating: 4.5 of 5 Smartwool Men's Mountaineering Extra Heavy Crew Socks 3/10/2010
user rating: 4.5 of 5 Smartwool Expedition Trekking Socks 3/10/2010
user rating: 4.5 of 5 Bridgedale Endurance Summit 3/10/2010
user rating: 4.5 of 5 Bridgedale Men's Endurance Trekker 3/10/2010
user rating: 4 of 5 Vasque Men's Velocity 3/01/2010
user rating: 4.5 of 5 Fällkniven P 1/07/2010
user rating: 5 of 5 Benchmade Mini Griptilian Family 1/07/2010
user rating: 4 of 5 Marmot Men's Randonnee Glove 1/07/2010
user rating: 4.5 of 5 Mountain Hardwear Sub Zero SL Parka 1/02/2010
user rating: 4 of 5 EMS Men's Glacier Down Jacket 12/13/2009
user rating: 5 of 5 Sherpa Snowshoes Modified Bearpaw Snowshoe 4/08/2009
user rating: 4.5 of 5 REI Men's Flash 50 3/24/2009
user rating: 4 of 5 The North Face Dark Star -40 3/20/2009
user rating: 4 of 5 Cabela's Polartec 300 Hooded Jacket 3/02/2009
user rating: 3.5 of 5 Merrell Men's Moab Gore-Tex XCR 2/24/2009
user rating: 4.5 of 5 Scarpa Inverno 1/31/2009
user rating: 5 of 5 GoLite Men's Shadow Pants 12/15/2008
user rating: 5 of 5 Limmer Men's Standard 12/02/2008
user rating: 4.5 of 5 Cabela's Mountain Sherpa Jacket 11/20/2008
user rating: 4 of 5 Merrell Men's Chameleon Wrap Gore-Tex XCR 10/28/2008
user rating: 5 of 5 Marmot Men's Exum Jacket 10/27/2008
user rating: 4 of 5 The North Face Men's Mountain Light Jacket 10/16/2008
user rating: 4 of 5 Patagonia Men's Rain Shadow Jacket 10/16/2008
user rating: 5 of 5 Chaco Men's Z/1 Diamond Stealth 9/07/2008
user rating: 4 of 5 Chaco Men's Z/2 Unaweep 7/05/2008
user rating: 4 of 5 CamelBak Omega Reservoir 5/27/2008
user rating: 4.5 of 5 Nalgene 32 oz Wide Mouth Tritan 5/11/2008
user rating: 5 of 5 GoLite Ion 5/11/2008
user rating: 4.5 of 5 Arc'teryx Amp 4/30/2008
user rating: 4.5 of 5 Mountain Hardwear Absolute Zero Overboot 1/29/2008
user rating: 4 of 5 Warmlite vapor barrier socks 1/04/2008
user rating: 5 of 5 Mystery Ranch G6000 11/14/2007
user rating: 5 of 5 Limmer Men's Light-Weight 9/28/2007
user rating: 4.5 of 5 Marmot Bridger 9/28/2007

Blog Posts

Instant Camp Eggs Cook-Off September 20, 2011

Trip Reports

Big Basin Redwoods State Park December 31, 2013
Morning hike in the Rugova mountains May 18, 2013
snowshoeing after the blizzard - boston exurbs February 10, 2013
Gjeravica Kosovo Hike October 20, 2012
Father's Day Hike June 18, 2012
making the most of a work lull - Eastern Kentucky January 25, 2012
Day Hike Billy Goat July 28, 2010
Day Hike Old Rag April 3, 2010

Forum Posts

Cold fingers and toes? Keep your core warm January 22, 2020
Camp shoes for winter backpacking January 20, 2020
Chaco Tegu and Zong January 20, 2020
Lounge Wear... January 19, 2020
Patagonia Houdini update/upgrade January 14, 2020
Tarp January 13, 2020
Rechargeable batteries January 10, 2020
Extreme Cold Weather Gear - Part II December 25, 2019
Worst gear ever? December 31, 2019
Patagonia reverse pile January 1, 2020
Ein Gedi, Israel December 30, 2019
Layering light down jacket and down vest December 21, 2019
non-gore tex waterproof/breathable solutions December 10, 2019
my admission November 30, 2019
Down jacket selection December 6, 2019
Switchbackr November 28, 2019
Going Forward November 23, 2019
10 year old Selah Schneiter is the youngest person in history to climb Yosemite's El Capitan November 15, 2019
Ultimate survival tool November 14, 2019
What really Ticks you off on the trail? November 15, 2019
view all »