J. Taylor Bell

j. taylor bell (he/him) is a wildland firefighter and an extremely enthusiastic birdwatcher. He also has a collection of poetry titled HELLO CRUEL WORLD (Wendy’s Subway, 2021) and will be starting PhD research at Monash University in Melbourne, Australia whenever it’s safe. Peep some extremely occasional twitter banter, or wave hello @jtaylorbell1 @disco_steww

Posts

Outdoor Research Swiftbreaker Windbreaker Review

Outdoor Research Swiftbreaker Windbreaker Review

The new Outdoor Research Swiftbreaker is like your relative that lives nearby in the big city. The windbreaker trades a certain amount of

Feb 27, 2023 : J. Taylor Bell
Sea to Summit Ascent 25°F Down Sleeping Bag Review

Sea to Summit Ascent 25°F Down Sleeping Bag Review

Lately, I've really been enjoying pairing the Sea to Summit Ascent down sleeping bag with a foam pad, especially when cowboy camping. Depending on

Nov 16, 2022 : J. Taylor Bell
Gossamer Gear Kumo 36L Superlight Backpack Review: Vaporwave Edition

Gossamer Gear Kumo 36L Superlight Backpack Review: Vaporwave Edition

At a blisteringly austere 14.6-ounce base, the Gossamer Gear Kumo is a bare-bones backpack that doesn't actually have any bones (it's frameless). It

Nov 3, 2022 : J. Taylor Bell
LightHeart Gear FireFly 1-Person Trekking Pole Tent Review

LightHeart Gear FireFly 1-Person Trekking Pole Tent Review

At its core, the newest version of the LightHeart Gear FireFly tent trades simplicity for space. It requires a few extra pieces, as well as a few

Oct 26, 2022 : J. Taylor Bell
Exped Ultra 3R Sleeping Pad Review

Exped Ultra 3R Sleeping Pad Review

Am I the only one who experiences a weird mixture of euphoria and debilitating analysis paralysis when presented with, oh, let's say 41, slight

Oct 3, 2022 : J. Taylor Bell
The Arizona Trail Gear List

The Arizona Trail Gear List

Oh, those halcyon days of knowing exactly what was necessary on a thru-hike and what was absolutely frivolous and decadent. Simpler times they were,

Sep 14, 2022 : J. Taylor Bell
A Short & Sweet Introduction to Picking Edible Berries Along the PCT

A Short & Sweet Introduction to Picking Edible Berries Along the PCT

The west becomes a movable feast in the summer, when the mountains aren't just alive with wildflowers and fauna, but when the nature also becomes

Aug 10, 2022 : J. Taylor Bell
Salomon Ultra Glide Trail Running Shoes Review

Salomon Ultra Glide Trail Running Shoes Review

The results are in. Let it be known that—based on some articles on the internet, a majority of the reviews on their website, and all those hikes I

Jul 27, 2022 : J. Taylor Bell
Patagonia Refugio 30L Daypack Review

Patagonia Refugio 30L Daypack Review

Hello? Waiter? Yes, I'll have the word salad please. Which one you ask? Why, the "7.3-oz 400-denier 100% postconsumer recycled polyester with a PU

Jul 21, 2022 : J. Taylor Bell
6 of the Most Outrageously Long Hikes in the US

6 of the Most Outrageously Long Hikes in the US

If you've ever hiked on the Appalachian or Pacific Crest Trail, you're probably familiar with the sentiment that "it's the people that make the

Jul 13, 2022 : J. Taylor Bell