The Essential Traveling Hiker's Pack

The Beast28 backpack is one of my favorite hiking essentials for local adventures and exploring while traveling. What makes it a great travel pack is how compact it is. When traveling, You can easily attach it to your carry-on or additional backpack, or you can fit it in nicely into your luggage. You can see in the picture that it rolls up into a nice little pouch very easily.

This pack is also great for an overnight hike. There is plenty of room to pack some warmer clothes, and snacks. The compression straps, lumbar padding and hip belt also make it super comfortable when hiking. I was able to pack everything I needed for a sunset hike and to sleep overnight. The hammock clips perfectly to the backpack allowing me to have the perfect sleeping device for the night.  The outer coating of the Beast28 is also water resistant, so I felt comfortable storing my computer in it while I hiked. Being a photographer, I often times have clients that need photos taken in epic places and want them edited and sent to them quickly, so having my computer is a must!

Check out the images below to see everything I was able to take on a an overnight hike. The photos of me hiking out in the world were taken on a day we hiked to a swimming spot, I had everyone's swim gear along with towels and a few beverages. Every time I use this backpack I'm amazed at everything I can fit in it!

Happy Travels friends.

Adventure On,

Nikki

The Perfect Adventure Towel!

Ever been out on an adventure and stumble across an unexpected body of water that you just had to take a dip in? I know I have! And while I'm almost always wearing a bikini under my socially acceptable clothes, I'm usually not carrying around a giant towel to dry off with after a spontaneous swim. However, I have found a solution! It’s a compact, light towel that is super absorbent!

My most recent expedition took me to a hike with Hot Springs at one end of the trail. The Gaviota Hot Springs are one of the hidden secrets in the Santa Barbara area. They are about 30 miles north on Highway 101. You take exit 132, and at the end of the exit ramp, you turn right, and then make another immediate right. At the end of the road you’ll see places to park. There are a few trails in the area that are beautiful, but if you feel like going for a soak in the sulfur water, just make your way to the top of the main hiking trail and you’ll see two beautiful aqua pools at the top. The first one you see has an extremely muddy bottom, when you step into it, you’ll find yourself knee deep in gunk. However, the other hot spring has a solid bottom. 

When you enter the water, you’ll notice little bubbles start to form on your skin. The temperature of the water is lukewarm.  The great thing about these hot springs, and many others, are their healing qualities!

The Iron in Hot Springs, along with other minerals, can build up your immune system!

Hot Springs improve your body's Circulation.

Relaxation of the mind and body occurs when you enter these warm pools of water.

Hot Springs also contain Sulfur!

Who is ready to find a hidden Hot Spring near them?!?

When you do go, make sure you grab your Matador NanoDry Towel! Seriously a girl’s best friend on adventures like these. This towel comes with a case that you can clip on your backpack, shorts, or wherever is convenient for you! The towel itself has a snap loop so you can hang it anywhere to dry! On your backpack while you finish hiking, on a tree branch while you picnic, anywhere! 

What’s awesome is that these towels are super versatile. They make a great pool companion, gym buddy, or just something to have while traveling. Because you never know, when adventure will call, and water will be shouting your name!

Or you just might need a towel to wipe stuff up! 

Adventure On Friends,

Nikki