For experienced backpackers, knowing how to put your backpack on properly is second nature. If you’re new to backpacking, learning proper backpack alignment and adjustments is essential to your comfort on the trail. And, yes, there is a right (and a wrong) way to do it!
Lightweight backpacks are essential for long-distance hiking. Sure, you can carry a 90-liter pack on a month-long trip, but the emphasis on going light and moving fast means you’ll probably catch fellow hikers looking sideways at your gargantuan pack. If you’re in need of a new, lightweight pack, I’ve compiled this Osprey Exos 48 review …
Do you have several half-filled fuel canisters taking up space in your gearbox? I always seem to wind up with partially-filled canisters at the beginning of each backpacking season. But it’s hard to rely on them, so I’ll often just purchase a new canister. What if you could use something like the FlipFuel™ fuel transfer …
Three days, four friends, ten lakes, two peaks, thirteen miles, and too many packets of oatmeal to count. This backpacking expedition, starting from Echo Lakes trailhead and heading into the raw backcountry of Desolation Wilderness, made for many unforgettable experiences. Day One: Echo Lakes Trailhead to Lake Aloha Mileage: 6 miles (without water taxi) Elevation …
No day is the same as another on the John Muir Trail (JMT). But let’s take a journey into a day on a JMT thru hike and see where the trail leads today! Mornings on a JMT Thru Hike The first light of morning on the JMT begins to stream over the mountains, through the …
I’ve never been one to use vacation time to sip Mai-tais and work on my tan. I prefer to use that time to explore new places and push my physical limits. If you’re like me and you feel like your vacation time is best spent pushing yourself to enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime experience, check out these …
Throughout my teens and 20s, I’ve found so much benefit in getting away from the house and spending time walking, sitting, swimming, and sleeping in the wilderness. So let’s talk about my favorite health benefits of backpacking and why you should give it a try! Disconnecting From Technology I’ve placed this benefit at the top …
I’ve gone through a number of sleeping pads over the years. While I’ve previously found some comfort in inflatable sleeping pads, I’ve also had some that just didn’t hold air. All of a sudden I’d wake up in the middle of the night with a rock jabbing me in the back. So, today I’m going …
Over the years, I’ve really come to appreciate the benefits of carrying a hammock for backcountry sleeping, as opposed to lugging in a heavier tent set up. That’s why I’m going to tell you about my top backpacking hammocks. These hammocks are the two with which I have the most experience. Later on in the …
There appears to be a long-standing divide amongst the hiking community about the pros and cons of hiking poles. In my own journeys, I’ve tended to err on the side of going without hiking poles. But as the miles start to add up, I’m forced to reconsider my former (dare I say childish?) ways. To …