On the eve of a big trip into the backcountry, time to make sure we know exactly how to assemble the tent. This Big Agnes is new to us this season, so we’re excited to put it to the test on this camping trip with the dogs. SHOP THE STORY The post Big Agnes C Bar 3-Season Tent appeared first on Ultimate Upland ..read more

Battling unseasonably high temperature approaching 80º while trying to get everyone accustomed to low oxygen at high altitude. The bird dogs are managing, even with packs full of gear. The post Way Upland Season IV Episode 2 appeared first on Ultimate Upland ..read more

The season has arrived, time for legs and lungs to start firing. Doing a few acclimation and scouting hikes, looking for flat ground, verifying surface water and making sure that preparation for these hikes has taken hold. The post Way Upland Season IV Episode 1 appeared first on Ultimate Upland ..read more

I’ve been feeling uneasy. It’s been this way, more or less, for over a year.  I went into last upland season feeling rushed and underprepared. It didn’t really pan out that way; things went fine. But in my head I always felt a half-click off. I’ve been battling, trying to get through it, pin point the root of this nagging weight of uncertainty. I think I allowed life’s hurdles to stack up: deaths in the family, illness, death of a longtime friend, aging parents, car accident, asinine opinions of complete strangers — there’s a long list, drama-filled and bleak.  Sharing this for ..read more

Big trips take lots of planning. After months of training, staging gear and working through contingencies, it’s all come down to the packing. The upland season is upon us. The post Planning, Planning and More Planning appeared first on Ultimate Upland ..read more

Climbing mountains, the only way to really know how bad climbing mountains with heavy packs is gonna be. And getting the young Setter, Hawk, more familiar with the grind. The post The Baseline Hike appeared first on Ultimate Upland ..read more

Came up with this recipe while we were hunting in the late season and pulled it together for a camp dinner. That initial round was a hit with the Kansas crew after a long, cold day afield. Hence, I jotted down a few notes and tried it again indoors. Late season roosters can be tough — to hunt but also to chew. Marinating the meat over night in buffalo wing sauce (generally comprised of lots of salt, oil/butter and vinegar) helps to tenderize while also bringing the flavor. Comfort food is a great way to close out the season. Buffalo Phez Mac n Cheez Great recipe to end a cold winter day afiel ..read more

It can be tough finding the right gift for the outdoorsman who already has EVERYTHING. We thought we’d take a stroll around Cabela’s and help find items that even the toughest-to-buy-for still can appreciate. After a quick exploration of the store, all the elves found plenty of gifts to place under the tree. SOG Throwing Hawks •  Hey Dude Wally Socks • Black Diamond Headlamp • Stanley Flask • Stanley Shot Glass Set • Stanley Thermos • Darn Tough Merino Wool Boot Sock • Carhartt Training Dummy • Columbia Powder Lite Gloves •  Gerber Truss • Lodge Cast Iron Chainmail Sc ..read more

As the wear and tear adds up on our current vest, which we’ve used pretty much exclusively afield for 7 years, it’s time to start assessing options as a replacement. This Marsupial vest is American made from a small company headquartered in Arizona. See what this vest looks like when it’s loaded with the gear from our old vest and get a detailed look at all the features. The post Marsupial Gear Upland Bird Vest appeared first on Ultimate Upland ..read more

Every time one of these birds comes to hand, it’s an affirmation of the core elements that can make life grand — hope, effort, skill, experience, cooperation and even a little luck. It feels easy for me to bring those pieces together into something that makes perfect sense in the uplands. The real challenge is finding the bird in hand when we’re not hunting.  And that challenge has been fairly pointed for our family this fall.  All things that feel good, just or vindicating hold the same magic — maybe in smaller doses, but it’s there. I just have to be better at recognizing them whe ..read more