Advice
5 Common Beginner Backpacking Mistakes
If you’re getting ready to go backpacking or thru-hiking for the first time, you’re going to make mistakes. Lots of them. And that’s OK: mistakes are part of life. The...
Thru-Hiking Gave Me Body Dysmorphia
Many thru-hikers say the trail has changed their lives forever. I embarked on my first ever long hike back in 2017, and it truly did change me. Since then, I...
5 Most Common Water Treatment Methods for Backpackers
Water treatment is crucial for backpackers. After all, if you've put a lot of time and effort into planning a backpacking trip, you presumably will want to stay healthy during...
How To Hike the Lower Hudson Loop
This is a guest post by Mike "Gravity" Knutson. The Lower Hudson Loop is an undesignated east coast backpacking route designed and hiked by Knutson in 2023. The Lower Hudson...
6 Essentials Every Backpacker Should Have in Their First Aid Kit, According to a Pharmacist
This is a guest post by Paul "Aragorn" Larrat. Extended travel in the wilderness necessitates carrying your “life support system” on your back, including your “trekking pharmacy.” As a long
The Backpacker’s Guide to Bear Bagging
What is the deal with bear bags? Which type should I use, or should I use a canister? Once I have one, what do I do with it?
5 Budget-Friendly Ultralight Backpacking Hacks
It's no secret that carrying a heavy pack sucks, but it can be tough to lighten your load without breaking the bank. A high-end ultralight setup can cost thousands of...
Advice From a Ranger: How To Get a Wonderland Trail Permit (and What To Do if You Can’t)
The Wonderland Trail is a bucket-list hike for backpackers around the world. The trail circumnavigates Mount Rainier and offers countless breathtaking views of the mountain and its neighboring
Peg Leg’s Top Advice for Thru-Hikers After Trekking 5,500 Miles in 1 Year
Setting out onto a thru-hike is truly the adventure of a lifetime. Some people spend a decade or more of their lives planning for a hike along a national scenic...
How To Hike the Pemi Loop: 30 Miles of Premier Hiking in New Hampshire’s White Mountains
The Pemi Loop is one of the most infamous backpacking routes in the northeast. While Backpacker Magazine rates the loop as the second hardest day-hike in America, most hikers shudder...