Jordan Butcher is a designer and artworker living and working in Seattle. Originally from West Virginia, he grew up in the misty hills of the North Central area of the Mountain State, but has called Seattle his home since 2005. When not found exploring cities up and down the West Coast, or around a campfire, you can find Jordan at the Filson headquarters as an integral part of our art department.

Living in the Pacific Northwest, Seattle to be specific, can be taxing in the winter. The overcast skies and the ever present dampness that bring a bone-depth cold for 3 to 4 months straight can begin to wear on your morale. But then something happens in the early spring.

The clouds split, the sun comes out, puddles dry and you remember why you brave the winter months. Our summer season is top-notch. Around the city most people flock to the local beaches or parks, but some of us see the clouds clearing around the surrounding Olympic mountains and we can hear them calling us to go. A long weekend at Olympic National Park’s Lake Crescent is quickly becoming an annual trip among a small group of my friends. We set out on a Thursday evening, and after a short ferry ride to Bainbridge Island from Seattle, headed out across the Olympic Peninsula on the 101 until just about 20 miles outside Port Angeles, on a very windy narrow road, the trees opened up to a 12 mile wide crystal clear lake.

We pitched our tents, built a fire, ate some dinner and grabbed our fishing poles — looking to reel in some of the lake’s proprietary bright blue trout. I was also able to split off from the group and head further West a few hours to the NW corner of the contiguous United States. It was my first time seeing Cape Flattery and Tatoosh Island. The rock formations and clear blue sea on Washington Coast are truly something to behold; the shear size of the place gave me quite a bit of anxiety. An incredible three days to ring in the Pacific Northwest’s beautiful and (in my opinion) perfect summer season. Here’s to spending a sunny season outside, around a fire, among friends.

Maine-based Rhon Bell of Backwoods Plaid, details how to best prepare for those temperamental Spring camping trips.  Rain or shine, you’ll be ready.

Your destination may be an old family camp or possibly you’re roughing it in the backcountry. Either way, you’re hopefully far enough from the bustling city so every element of light pollution is filtered from the evening sky. As you lay back  in the dirt against your duffle and point up to the constellations, the chill of Spring nightfall has you zipping up your jacket just a bit more and standing up your collar to cut the breeze. This time of year can be a challenge to pack for. Mornings can be bitterly cold, depending on your location.  Short-sleeves might suffice while working in the afternoons, but as that sun begins to find it’s resting place on the horizon line, you’re reaching back into your truck for your Field Jacket. I’ve found that Filson gear below provides true comfort in between the melting winter snow and the rising summer sun.

1.  Antique Tin Cloth 5 Pocket Pants: A relatively new offering that lives up to the Filson name – tough, cool, comfortable and good-looking. The Antique Tin Cloth offers wind and moderate rain protection while outdoors. Strong enough to resist abrasions in the thick of the woods by day and presentable at night for dinner around the fire pit, or at the local watering hole.

2.  Alaskan Long Johns, Midweight: Layering this “three-season” pair of long johns with the Antique Tin Cloth pants has always been perfect. When temperatures change, you’ll always be glad you layered rather than having opted for one heavier pair of pants. In fact, friends often find me kicking around camp in the long johns alone.

3.  Alaskan Guide Shirt: By far this ranks as my favorite outdoor shirt from any company. Dirt wipes right off, it’s tough as nails while remaining supremely comfortable. I like to pack a fresh one for each day I’m at camp, but I’ll admit to wearing one for more than a couple days straight while on canoe trips. If you get warm, the cut is loose enough to roll up the sleeves and unbutton the shirt to manage your body temperature while staying protected from the elements.

4.  Mackinaw Blanket: Wool is an option you can hardly ever go wrong with. Plaid is a close second. Feeling rustic? Keep the sleeping bag at home. The Mackinaw blanket will be the warmest option, whether tossed over your shoulders by the evening fire or cot at camp.

5.  Tin Cloth Field Jacket: Stands up to anything, whether splitting and hauling fire wood or the winds and rain while motoring down a large lake to find your favorite fishing spot. Several large pockets keep your essentials at hand. One roomy rear pocket holds your map. The partially lined, Made in USA jacket is perfect for every Spring outing.

6.  Large Filson Duffle: Enough room for days of clothing, food, blanket and boots with plenty of left over room for essentials that make your trip worth remembering, like a good camera, flask (or two), an atlas, and a favorite book. The quality craftsmanship of the bridle leather, stitching, brass zippers and rugged twill will never disappoint – year after year… after year. Because if you’re going into the wild – you “Might As Well Have The Best.”

George Barnett’s Polaroid photographs recount tales as timeless and storied as the woods themselves.  At only 20 years old, the Kentucky native offers furtive glimpses of not only the mystery found in nature, but also the inherent maturity.  Over the last 6 years of captured memories, Filson has become George’s weathered travel partner; a central subject in his surreal work as well as his means of toting cameras and equipment.  Follow George on a recent trek through the wilderness with his brother to a pristine area called “Rough River.”

My Brother and I set out for a camping trip.   A quest.  It’s the middle of winter and snow is all around us.  We set out in his big red truck full of sleeping bags, field bags, food, water and our four-man tent.  We were driving aimlessly to a beautiful lake in Leitchfield, KY called “Rough River”.  Along the way we would stop and admire the countryside, the Amish communities, and just the sun going down.  We got there shortly after sundown and setup camp and collected firewood to keep warm throughout the night.  The next morning we woke up, zipped out of our tent and we saw a beautiful untouched white landscape for us to hike through.  I wore my Filson x Burton Sentry Jacket because it’s the perfect coat for winter and especially winter photography.  It’s the equivalent of having my Field Bag (countless pockets and storage), but it’s built into your jacket.  I would shoot my Polaroid’s and tuck them into the wool inside chest pocket to keep the developing images warm.  Along with my hiking gear was my field bag full of film, cameras and hand warmers.  We ventured on through the brush, and came across frozen lakes and creeks.  We just gazed over the scenery for hours walking, reading trails and animal tracks along the way.  Talking a little here and there, snapping pictures with my SX-70 and SLR, mainly just taking in the fresh air and beauty that mother earth provides.  It’s always a great feeling to share something like that with the people you love.

Nature is Good.  Life is Good.

Tin Cloth Medium Duffle

A duffle designed for hauling in any condition, perfect for all your summer camping essentials. This tough, water-resistant oil finish Tin Cloth duffle is sturdy and quick-drying.

Sportsman Shorts

A go-to short for hiking and camping that’s exceptionally comfortable and breathable for summertime.

Outfitter Shirt

This lightweight, long-sleeve shirt will protect you from the sun during the day and keep you warm at night.

Redwood Anorak

A shorter and lighter version of our 1922 Parka that is great for summer wear. As the sun goes down or the rain comes in, this anorak is a summer camping essential.

Kettle Luggage Tan Boots

These warm weather appropriate boots feature Filson’s wind, water, and abrasion resistant, oil-finish Tin Cloth and Sebago’s waterproof leather.

Fly Rod Case

The Rod & Reel Day Trip Case is a summer camping essential if your trip involves fishing. Lining and padding keeps your rod dry and scratch free.

Stanley Classic Original Vacuum Bottle

Built like a battleship, this Classic Vacuum Bottle will keep your morning coffee hot or water cold for up to 24 hours.

Jeff Thrope of outdoor lifestyle blog, Cold Splinters, is always on the road looking for the next adventure and oftentimes the adventure finds him. His love and adoration for the great outdoors has made him the avid hiker and camper he is today. For those of you looking to load up the car and head out on a camping trip this summer, Jeff recaps his favorite camping spots in the nation.

As I’m sure most of you will agree, telling someone the whereabouts of your favorite campsite in the woods/desert/canyon etc. is like sharing a treasure map with a pirate. Sort of. You just don’t do it. It’s your spot. In any case, here are a few of my favorite places to camp that aren’t really that secretive. Anyone can find them, and because they’re so handsome, that makes me happy. Just make sure you don’t leave your trash there so the rest of us can have just as good of a time when we roll through.

Enjoy it out there.

SOUTHWEST THREE (BIG BEND NATIONAL PARK, TEXAS)
This is the campsite to get if you’re going to be doing any backpacking in Big Bend. It’s a pretty mellow hike up the Chisos Mountain Trail (Edward Abbey’s “emerald isle in a red sea”) to the edge of the South Rim, which has one of the best national park views I’ve ever seen. Southwest Three is a secluded campsite right near that grand ol’ view, so it’s easy access for sunrises and sunsets. And the campsite is also right on a cliff, so your second (!) balcony looks over the Rio Grande and Mexico. Not bad. Reserve it at the visitor center as soon as you arrive.

MIDDLE CAPE (EVERGLADES NATIONAL PARK, FL)
Paddling around the Gulf of Mexico is one of life’s great – not to mention hot – pleasures. Mangroves and undeveloped beach for miles, fires in the sand when the sun sets, and sharks that swim right next to your canoe as you set sail from Flamingo, FL. Middle Cape is a hard and long paddle for your first day, but it’s worth it. And whatever you do, don’t forget your Crazy Creek.

TEN MILE RIVER LEAN-TO (APPALACHIAN TRAIL, CT)
This one is a sentimental choice. Sure, it’s an amazing campsite. There’s a river, a big field, a lean-to so you don’t have to pack a tent. But it’s also two hours from the city and you can take the Metro North train to get there. I’ve spent many many nights at that lean-to, sometimes as a last minute decision on a Saturday morning to escape the concrete. No matter how much planning is involved, I always have a great night, feeling refreshed and ready to head home to Brooklyn. Argh.

49 PALMS OASIS TRAIL (JOSHUA TREE NATIONAL PARK, CA)
This is one of the best nights I’ve ever spent in a national park, hands down. The trail to 49 Palms is inundated with tourists during the day, which is fine, I suppose. It should be, right? It’s beautiful so lots of people want to see it. But very few of those people will have packs on their backs, so take yours with you and, when it feels right, veer of the trail at least 500 feet (park rules) and set up camp behind the rocks. Even a few feet from the trail, hidden behind giant boulders of red, is a different world. The trail starts emptying out as the sun is setting, so after your tent is up, get your ass down to see 49 Palms, then hurry home for dinner and whiskey.

ALAMO CANYON CAMPGROUND (ORGAN PIPES NATIONAL MONUMENT, AZ)
Unfortunately, there’s no backcountry camping in Organ Pipes anymore. Too many dangers from the drug trafficking that runs rampant in the area. A ranger was shot a few years back, so there’s a reason for the strict rules. Either way, the primitive Alamo Canyon Campground isn’t the worst thing in the world. It’s a little secluded from the big campers that can fill up the parking lots, and since it’s Organ Pipes and that means miles and miles and miles of desert, you still get the feeling of being in some backcountry. Because, as you’ll realize as soon as you get a few miles out of Phoenix, Organ Pipes is not Yellowstone. There’s nothing there. And THAT is why you go, of course. It doesn’t really matter where you sleep.