Cooking while on a backpacking trip can be pretty intimidating – only the truly dedicated are able to cook full-on pancake breakfasts deep in the wilderness, and I think those people are wasting weight and energy. What I like better… Read More »Jetboil Flash Review: The Best Backpacking Stove for Most People
“I could have sworn I had nicer clothes than this… this is 80% old gym stuff!” Packing for a 3-week trip that evenly splits city adventures and backpacking is no easy feat. I learned that first-hand when trying to pack… Read More »Trip Diary: 3 Weeks in Washington (Day 1)
If you’re taking a trip out into the cold, cold wilderness this winter, ice and snow are going to take a toll on you. They slow you down, make your legs sore, and can be absolutely miserable to deal with.… Read More »What are Microspikes?
As someone with both large and wide feet, I know the struggle of researching a great pair of trail running shoes or hiking boots without ever knowing if they’ll actually fit. Columbia is one of the most popular brands of… Read More »Do Columbia Shoes Run Big or Small?
Leave No Trace is a set of outdoor ethics promoting conservation in the outdoors. Following them preserves our parks and wild lands, protects animals, and makes backpacking better for everyone. There are seven principles that guide the Leave No Trace… Read More »Backpacking Basics: How to Leave No Trace
Hiking in the snow can be a ton of fun, but only if you’ve got the right equipment. When you read about hiking, you hear people mention different traction devices: snowshoes, crampons, microspikes, flip-flops, you name it. In many situations,… Read More »How Do You Know When to Use Microspikes?
Anytime you read through a backpacking guide or gear checklist, you’ll run across that term- the “ten essentials”. But, what are they, exactly, and why do they matter? The Ten Essentials, developed by Mountaineers Books, describes the ten things needed… Read More »Backpacking: What are The “Ten Essentials”?
Packing for your next backpacking trip requires you to make tough decisions about what will and will not come along. The heavier that something is, the more you tend to ask yourself, “do I really need this?” This is a… Read More »Do You Need a Tent Footprint?
Most of the time, when you hear the word “Polyester”, it’s not in the most positive light. Commonly, people deride polyester because it’s a synthetic fabric. Hikers, backpackers, and people who love the National Parks, though, know that polyester clothing… Read More »Is Polyester a Good Base Layer?