I’m Steve AKA “Swept Away.” I’m a hiker, trail maintainer, ATL-Springer Mtn shuttler, and volunteer water quality monitor. I went to school for ecology focused on freshwater wetlands, but these days I work in IT. I have a cat named Indie, because all the other names were too mainstream, and an Austrailian Shepherd named Atlas who is just the most adorable baby boy. I write because I have things to say and can’t figure out how to shut up.
Friend me on Facebook (but DM me and tell me you found this so I think it’s less creepy)
Check out my book (It’s fiction and free online, not hiking)
I review gear here, but I have some rules about my reviews that I think keep me ethical.
- No free gear is kept. Any free gear sent by a vendor must be returned to the vendor, paid for at new-item price to the vendor, or donated to charity. Further, I don’t keep loaners unless the vendor offers for me to keep it, and if I accept, I pay full new-item price. I’m also happy to cover shipping myself.
- No overly negative reviews will be posted. If I have a bad experience, I send back the item and provide feedback to the vendor. I’m a firm believer that there is no perfect gear and what works for me may not work for someone else.
- I post what I post, but the vendor gets a copy of the intended review by email first in case they want to make any comments. It’s my choice whether or not to include those comments.
- If you absolutely want to send me something for free, I’ll sell my soul for stickers and hats 🙂 but it has to be after the review of your product is published and without my prior knowledge.