The Best Camera Gear for the Galápagos Islands [by: Ian]

The Best Camera Gear for the Galápagos Islands | by Ian Norman, North to South
The Best Camera Gear for the Galápagos Islands | by Ian Norman, North to South

The Galápagos Islands are a wildlife photography paradise. Of all the places we’ve visited around the world, the Galápagos Islands were the most spectacular place for seeing and photographing wildlife.

We put a lot of thought into the photography gear that we would bring for such a trip, and we learned pretty quickly what was most valuable to us for capturing all of the amazing animals around the islands. In this post we share our list of the best photography gear for photographing wildlife in the Galápagos Islands, with options for different levels of photography experience and trip packing desires.

Continue reading “The Best Camera Gear for the Galápagos Islands [by: Ian]”

North to South’s Gear of the Year 2018

North to South's Gear of the Year: Our 2018 Favorites for Travel, Photography, Blogging and more!

North to South's Gear of the Year: Our 2018 Favorites for Travel, Photography, Blogging and more!

The holiday season is upon us once again, and it’s time for our annual purge of the gear we aren’t using. As we go through our stuff and decide what to sell and what to donate, we’re also compiling a list of keepers — gear we love that’s versatile and durable enough to withstand the demands of our frequent travels.

If you need some ideas for your holiday list this year, see which items made our list of favorites below!  Continue reading “North to South’s Gear of the Year 2018”

Solar-Powered Camping with Goal Zero’s Yeti 400 and Boulder 30 [REVIEW]

Solar-Powered Camping with the Goal Zero Yeti 400 Solar Generator and Boulder 30 Solar Panel [REVIEW]

Solar-Powered Camping with the Goal Zero Yeti 400 Solar Generator and Boulder 30 Solar Panel [REVIEW]

Phone, camera, Kindle, laptop… As a travel writer, I travel with these items almost daily. But the best destinations don’t come with power outlets, and camping without power limits you to the pre-charged power you brought along. That is, unless you have a generator.

Being as it would be impractical to purchase a large, noisy, fuel-powered generator for a quiet camping trip in a small car, and also wanting to be eco-conscious, I was eager to find an adequate off-grid power solution. My research directed me to Goal Zero’s on-the-go solar panels and batteries.  As a super environmentally-conscious solar power supporter, I so wanted to love everything about them — and I’m happy to say I came very close. Read on to discover our first experience with solar-powered camping and find out what wasn’t quite perfect about the particular setup we chose. Continue reading “Solar-Powered Camping with Goal Zero’s Yeti 400 and Boulder 30 [REVIEW]”

Aspiring Light Packers, This Bag’s for You: Sea to Summit Ultra-Sil Daypack Review

Sea to Summit Ultrasil Packable Daypack Review

Sea to Summit Ultrasil Packable Daypack Review

I’ve owned the Sea to Summit Ultra-Sil Daypack for a year and a half, and it’s the one bag it took to convince me: Not all backpacks are created equal. Who knew it was possible to travel with two bags but only carry one? Perfect for urban exploring, day hikes, and even grocery shopping, aspiring light packers — this backpack’s for you.  Continue reading “Aspiring Light Packers, This Bag’s for You: Sea to Summit Ultra-Sil Daypack Review”

Our Hiking Gear

Our Hiking Gear (and why we love it) | North to South

Our Hiking Gear (and why we love it) | North to South

Hiking is one of our favorite outdoor activities. It always offers up something amazing: spectacular views, wildlife encounters, a breath of fresh air… Plus it’s a hobby that requires little money — Yay! — after a small initial investment.

From basics like boots to specialty items like bear mace, if you want to know what gear we use (and recommend) for hiking, find out right here!  Continue reading “Our Hiking Gear”

A Traveler’s Review of the GoPro HERO4 Session (and 5 Reasons to Choose It Over the Black and Silver)

GoPro HERO4 Session: A Traveler's Review

GoPro HERO4 Session: A Traveler's Review

Compact: check. Lightweight: check. Waterproof: check.

These are three VERY important characteristics when it comes to a travel camera (and three key areas where the Session beats the other GoPro cameras HANDS DOWN). However, there are several GoPro options available today, and it can be tricky to determine which one to choose.

We spent the last month testing out the new GoPro HERO4 Session (on loan courtesy of B&H Photo), and [SPOILER ALERT] we liked it! But is the GoPro HERO4 Session the best GoPro camera choice for you? Let’s find out!  Continue reading “A Traveler’s Review of the GoPro HERO4 Session (and 5 Reasons to Choose It Over the Black and Silver)”

7 Reasons to Try Eco Vessel’s Aqua Vessel Filtration Water Bottle… Plus a REVIEW of My Experience Using It

Eco Vessel Aqua Vessel Ultra Lite Filtration Bottle Review

Eco Vessel Aqua Vessel Ultra Lite Filtration Bottle Review

Eco Vessel provided me with a Aqua Vessel Ultra Lite filtration water bottle for the purpose of completing a review. You’ll find my complete, unbiased review here in this article — alongside the reasons I wanted to try this bottle myself. All comments I share in this post are my honest opinions of my experiences using the Eco Vessel filtration water bottle.  Continue reading “7 Reasons to Try Eco Vessel’s Aqua Vessel Filtration Water Bottle… Plus a REVIEW of My Experience Using It”