If you’ve taken a recent interest in hiking and backpacking, you may have seen the term “thru-hiking” used before. Thru-hikes are a subcategory of backpacking – long-distance backpacking trips that cover hundreds, if not thousands, of miles. Get the low-down… Read More »What is thru-hiking? What it is, and why you should try it
Yes. Just to avoid any ambiguity, the answer is yes – backpacking is very safe, and, in many ways, it’s safer than living in a big city. While there are still a bunch of different ways to get yourself injured… Read More »Is Backpacking Safe? What the Numbers Say
Your first backpacking trip will never be your most successful, but it will always be your most meaningful. That said, the more you learn before your trip begins, the better your chance of having a perfect first time is. With… Read More »First Time Backpacking? Remember These 10 Tips
A tent footprint is a ground cloth, essentially a tarp, typically the size of your tent, that is placed between your tent and the ground. Tent footprints are crucial to protect your tent and yourself from outside factors. They are… Read More »What is a Tent Footprint?
Sometimes, the “backpacking vs hiking” discussion is mostly just about definitions. Other times, it’s about the various disciplines and skills that belong to each. On rare occasions, it’s about a pretentious backpacker who looks down on hiking as somehow less… Read More »Backpacking vs hiking: what’s the difference, and why should you care?
A sleep system – the items you use for sleeping on a backpacking trip – is one of the “Big Three” pieces of backpacking gear you need, alongside your backpack and shelter. Because it’s so important, and because you need… Read More »Backpacking: How heavy should your sleep system be?
Hiking is an incredible way to burn fat, tone muscles, and get healthy! Not only is it a great exercise, but it also is wonderful for your mental health. Working out doesn’t have to be a painful or dreaded experience.… Read More »If You’re Hiking to Get in Shape, You’ll Love These 12 tips
Planning your next trip? Well maybe it should be backpacking! Backpacking is when you take everything you need to camp on your back and hike anywhere from 1 mile to thousands! You don’t have to be an expert to do… Read More »13 Reasons to Go on a Backpacking Trip
Backpacking is an incredible way to connect with nature, exercise, and escape the craziness of civilization. But, before you can go backpacking, you’ve got to be prepared. If you aren’t, you’re essentially gambling with your life; backpacking is safe, but… Read More »A complete backpacking gear checklist: what you need for every trip
The simple answer to this question is, well, no – there is no Amtrak station in Columbus, Ohio. The recent Amtrak funding in the infrastructure bill, as well as support from local transit organizations, gives me hope there will be… Read More »Can You Ride Amtrak from Columbus, Ohio?