Sometimes, when you see a photo of somebody’s national park trip, it’s too easy to tell how they’ve edited the colors. The greens are too vibrant, the rocks look like they came out of a movie and not a park,… Read More »Why Are Alpine Lakes So Blue?
Backpacking is a specific discipline in the larger category of camping; the main distinguishing aspect of backpacking is that one must carry all of their equipment, water, and food on their person, rather than using any sort of vehicle. The… Read More »What is Backpacking? A Simple, Straight Definition
UPDATE 06/02/22: The Cascade Highway is officially open as of May 10. A very snowy April and May means that there is still over 8 feet of snow in many places. I wouldn’t expect trails to be fully clear of… Read More »Is North Cascades Good to Visit in June? Best Time to Visit [June 2022 Update]
“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)
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
In most parts of the country, the month of May is when life springs into action. Heavy winters and rainy Aprils give way to sunshine, warm temperatures, and endless outdoor fun. But, is that true in the Rockies? Mountain areas… Read More »Visiting Rocky Mountain National Park in May: Good Idea?
If you’re like me and grew up in an area without bears, the prospect of meeting one on the trail is just as terrifying as it is exciting. There is nothing that can take a camping or backpacking trip from… Read More »Does Cayenne Pepper Keep Bears Away?
In April 2021, the National Parks Service released a brand-new mobile app dedicated to America’s National Parks. It promises to be a go-to resource for all 423 National Parks, monuments, and designated areas. But, is it actually useful for backpacking,… Read More »National Parks Service App Review: Is it Useful?
Across the 2,650 miles of the Pacific Crest Trail, you’ll encounter almost everything nature has to throw at you. Snow, rain, howling wind in some parts; bleak, dry, and arid desert in others- even active volcanoes! Stretching from one US… Read More »What National Parks are on the Pacific Crest Trail?