Heading out into the wilderness is exciting, inspiring, and sometimes terrifying. While seeing a bear from a distance is a magical part of any hike, having one charge you is anything but. If you ever find yourself in this situation,… Read More »Does Pepper Spray Work On Bears?
Buying a sleeping bag is, for some reason, harder than it should be. There are dozens of sleeping bags at any one outdoor store, and they all seem simultaneously different and the same. One of the main ways you’ll eventually… Read More »Sleeping bag temperature ratings, explained
Backpacking is a wonderful way to get in touch with yourself and with nature, but it’s not exactly a walk in the park… Even though that’s exactly what it is. Anyway, this guide aims to teach new backpackers how to… Read More »Backpacking fitness: How to train for backpacking
Backpackers, guides, and websites like this one like to make a big stink about all the different terms and concepts invented to describe what we do. Base weight, worn weight, sleep system, the list goes on… all terms invented to… Read More »What are the Big 3 items in backpacking? What to know
Base weight, a term that describes the total weight of your backpacking gear, minus food and water, is an important measurement. It can tell you whether or not you’ve packed too much, and it can help you avoid injuries or… Read More »How to measure base weight for backpacking
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
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?
You hear this term all the time – but what does base weight actually mean? And, why does it matter in the first place? This guide will give you the answers you need to set a goal for your backpacking… Read More »Backpacking base weight: what it is, and what you should aim for
It’s easy to understand the unmatched level of connection with nature offered by backpacking. That said, there are a lot of people (like me a few years ago) who excitedly plan a backpacking trip without ever learning how to be… Read More »Backpacking Safety: Skills and Disciplines You Need
When you hear the term “backpacking”, many images come to mind: snow-capped peaks, pristine alpine lakes, and, of course, a starry night sky. One thing that many people don’t think of is where they will sleep while they’re backpacking –… Read More »Where do you sleep when Backpacking? Wilderness sleeping, explained