Kristin Katoski

Kristin grew up in Western Massachusetts but moved north to Alaska in 2008 in search of more snow and bigger mountains. She homeschools her three children and tries to spend as much time as possible learning outside. Kristin loves hiking, camping, puddle stomping, laughing, igloo building, reading, science, baking, photography, and watching the sun go down from on top of a mountain; and is passionate about sharing her enthusiasm for the natural world and her knowledge of the gear that can get you out there in every kind of weather. She works part-time from home as an Environmental Scientist and technical editor.

Winter Backcountry Cabins with Kids 

Two families stand in front of a backcountry cabin in winter

When tent camping season comes to an end but you don’t want to wait months for your next overnight adventure, welcome to the world of winter backcountry cabin trips! There are thousands of public use cabins and huts scattered across the U.S. just waiting to welcome you and your kids. Many other countries have excellent … Read more

Nordic Step Ski Boot Harness Review

The Nordic Step is a plastic harness with a rigid base and binding mount. It allows you to to use a pair of cross-country (nordic) skis with your own winter or hiking boots. The boot straps into the harness, and the harness mounts to the binding of the skis. As an Amazon Associate and member … Read more

Ice Cleats for Kids and Adults for Winter Hiking

A child in bright colors crawls down a snowy slope with ice cleats on, a mountain in the background.

Hiking with children in the winter can be beautiful. Fresh crisp air, snow sparkling in the sunshine, and no mosquitoes! But it’s not without its share of obstacles. Proper traction for kids can be very helpful for taking on more challenging trails all year long, so here are some of our favorite ice cleats for … Read more

Best Freeze Dried Backpacking Meals for Kids

Best Freeze Dried Backpacking Meals for Kids One of the most daunting parts of backpacking with kids can be the food, especially on multi-day trips. This can be a chance for you to get really creative with your meal planning, but if that’s not your thing or you don’t have time for it, dehydrated meals … Read more

Solo Backpacking with Kids

Three children holding hands with backpacks and down jackets on, with mountains and the ocean in the background

Solo Backpacking with Kids Embarking on a backpacking adventure with children is an exciting experience in itself, but when you add the element of being a solo parent, it becomes truly remarkable. Solo parent backpacking involves venturing into unfamiliar territory, immersing yourself and your children in the beauty of nature, and navigating the challenges and … Read more

Camping on Maui

Camping on Maui with Kids Maui is an amazing destination to visit, but it can make for a very expensive trip. A great way to cut the cost is to turn it into a camping trip! Camping on Maui lessens the cost of your vacation and brings you closer to all the beauty the island … Read more