Tag Archives: hiking

Brand Spotlight: Hanging Out with Grand Trunk and Enjoying the Klymit

March 10, 2017 - posted by EmmaLee Sessions

Today, we are going to talk about one of my favorite things… Camping! We have two camping essentials that are going to knock your socks off and leave you wishing you could “head for the hills” right now.

Sleep… What’s That?

In a recent conversation Mike Vause, sporting goods manager, told me that sleep is an important aspect that is constantly overlooked when camping, hiking, or otherwise enjoying the outdoors. Mike said, “You may have to [fill in the blank].” (Get to the next ridge; land that next catch; bag the elk that has eluded you the last two days; etc.)

The Missouri River near Great Falls, Montana.

A view near Great Falls, MT from a hammock.

When you add the Grand Trunk® Hammocks and Klymit® sleeping pads to your gear list you’ll have the ability to set up camp anywhere there’s trees. Giving you the chance to catch the required Z’s to help you successfully “fill in YOUR blank.” Let’s take a minute now to look at my favorite bed: the hammock.

Shop our great selection of sleeping pads and air mattresses.

Time to Hang Out and Chill Out

Hammocks are a fairly recent trend that everyone, especially the younger generation, is going crazy about. We carry a variety of brands and sizes, but my favorite brand that we carry is (you guessed it) Grand Trunk®. Made out of the same nylon material as parachutes, these hammocks are strong and durable. They come in a few different colors and patterns. So we are sure to have one that fits your style.

EmmaLee and her friend sitting in a hammock.

Hammocking under a bridge.

My favorite thing about hammocks is their versatility. Whether you’re going on a day trip, a 50-mile hike, a 3-day hunting weekend, or just a trip to your backyard, you always have a lightweight, portable resting place that takes minutes to set up and enjoy. The Grand Trunk double hammock weighs only 2 lbs and can hold up to 400 lbs, so it is easy to enjoy with a friend or by yourself. Plus, at 10′ 6″ long by 6′ 6″ wide, there is no way you could go wrong.

Shop our growing selection of hammocks right here, or give us a call so see what all we have to offer!

EmmaLee showing off the Grand Trunk batik hammock.

EmmaLee pictured with her hammock, the Grand Trunk Batik Hammock.

Recently I set a goal to go camping with nothing but my Grand Trunk hammock, a tarp, an emergency blanket, and my sleeping bag for shelter. I still have yet to do so and my goal changed slightly when Mike Vause showed me an evolutionary sleeping pad designed specifically for your hammock. Wow! This evolutionary sleeping pad is none other than the Klymit Hammock V inflatable sleeping pad.

Note: the Hammock V sleeping pad was discontinued in 2020. Check out the Static V inflatable sleeping pad as an alternative option.

What’s New for You

Like all Klymit air pads the Hammock V is made with a V-chamber design that limits air movement and provides excellent insulation. With an R-value of 1.6, it is perfect for the coming season of camping and warmer weather. The two valve system allows you to inflate the Hammock V quickly, using only 15-25 breaths, without the worry of deflating as you go.

Hammock V air pad with EmmaLee, who is 5′ 7″ tall.

One of my favorite features of this air pad is the grip zones located on both sides of the pad. Your sleeping pad will be held in place in your hammock and you won’t have to worry about your sleeping bag slipping and sliding around either. You can check out our other Klymit sleeping pads here.

One of the three (3) silicone, non-slip grip zones.

These coming months are my favorite because I get to head outdoors and do some camping and exploring. I am excited for my night’s sleep to allow me to climb to the top of the next mountain and take time to enjoy the beautiful vistas in comfort. Be sure to get a tarp and rope to keep the rain off of you. Shop online or in our store for tarps and rope.

Come On In and Check Us Out

Buy your very own Grand Trunk Hammock and Klymit Hammock V Sleeping Pad at Smith and Edwards! We’ve got the gear you need for all of your adventures and our helpful and fun staff will be there for you every step of the way. Let us answer your questions and help you find exactly what you need.

Come on in or give us a call today!

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We’re getting Cabin Fever… are you?

March 19, 2016 - posted by Rose Marion

When I’m not at Smith & Edwards, taking photos is a huge hobby of mine.

I’ve been in Utah for 6 years, and while I’ve loved wandering backroads for barn photos and along the river parkways for macros and mushrooms, I’ve never ventured up the trails for some stunning shots.

Til now!

I’ve got Cabin Fever and I bet you do, too. Come explore the hikes & trails of Weber county with me! Mike Vause has picked out some gear for me, and I want to see if you can keep up!

I’m wearing the Columbia Switchback II Jacket (in “rose” color), Columbia gray Anytime Outdoor Long shorts, and Merrell waterproof high top hiking boots. In-store, I’m wearing Ariat Real Riding Eclipse jeans. Yep, I got all that gear at Smith & Edwards!

Visit Camping & Hiking to get the best gear.

And check out the Men’s and Women’s boot departments for Columbia, Merrell, and Danner hiking boots and trail running shoes.

You’ll find even more gear in-store at Smith & Edwards, off exit 351 just north of Ogden. Have fun out there!

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Scout Camp, Fishing & Camping Checklist

July 17, 2014 - posted by Rose Marion

It’s the right time of year for fishing, hiking, and camping. This time of year, we get a lot of people coming in and asking, “What gear do I need for…”

Whether you’re hiking, camping, fishing, or even sending your Cub Scout off to camp for a couple days, this checklist has everything you need to make it a great adventure here in Utah or in the mountains or lakes of our neighboring states.

If you’re camping or hiking, or sending a Scout to camp, here’s what you need:

If you’re sending a scout, remember his uniform, too!

For fishing:

Enjoy!

Click here to download a printable PDF of both lists.

Did you have fun? Make sure and send us pictures for the Bragging Board!

These lists were made after we had lots of families looking for a Scout camp checklist for their boys about to go to camp. We find them useful as a camping checklist so we’re sure we’ve got the car packed with all the gear we need. These also work great for packing your gear even for a fishing getaway on a Friday afternoon!

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The Gear You Need for a Weekend Getaway

March 15, 2014 - posted by Mike Vause

The spring is the perfect time to plan your hiking and camping, and you couldn’t ask for a better location than Utah. Take a week to enjoy the natural surroundings in comfort. Or, take off on a Friday afternoon and get away for a weekend with the family on your favorite hiking trails.

Utah Hiking and Camping Spots

Utah is rich with outdoor hiking opportunities.

I love the Uinta mountains.

The Desert Canyons of San Rafael Swell are also a good hike.

Even our own humble Ben Lomond peak.

Peak of Ben Lomond - Mike Vause, Smith and Edwards

My nephew on the peak of Ben Lomond. Over his right shoulder you can see Willard Bay.

Climb a peak! It will change how you look at things.

We have beautiful peaks in Utah. I like the view from Lewis Peak on the other side of the divide.

Utah’s tallest is Kings Peak – that’s an amazing summit right there.

For camping, I like the Logan Canyon area. There are still some fun spots at North Fork.

I love being in the Uinta mountains – there are many fun places up there you can hike to.

Now is the time to prepare a great backpack trip or day hike. Be ready now so you can grab your gear and go when the weather is right.

Capitol Reef, Utah - Mike Vause, Smith and Edwards

Capitol Reef National Park

Utah Hiking Gear & Camping Picks

Kelty day packs lasted my kids from 2nd grade through to my 20-year-old on his mission in the islands of the Pacific.

When you’re looking for hiking packs, you can’t go wrong with one from Mountainsmith, Kelty, or Jansport.

Hiking packs by Jansport, Mountainsmith, and Kelty at Smith and Edwards

These hiking packs will hold all your gear comfortably – and you won’t lose sight of your family in these bright colors, either.

Rather than trying to haul in your own water, you’ll want a water purification system: either a pump or a gravity system.

Some good purifying pump systems are the Katadyn Hiker, and the MSR Miniworks Ex Microfilter.

Water Purification pumps are great – but gravity-style purification rocks.

I love the Katadyne Base Camp system, where you draw a huge bag through the water, hang it up in camp, and then release water from it as you need it. And because of the gravity, you don’t need to pump it. The Katadyne Base Camp uses the same filters as other Katadyne systems.

A lot of these purification systems have adapters that go right on your Nalgene® bottle, reducing spillage.

Waterproof boots are a must! Danner and Merrell are good waterproof brands, and Merino wool or polypropylene blend socks complete the package.

Here are a couple good shoes: Danner 453 GTX in brown, and Merrell Moab Gore-Tex Mid with Vibram soles.