Advice
10 Things I Wish I Knew Before Hiking the CDT
Having already hiked the Pacific Crest Trail twice, as well as the Arizona, Tahoe Rim, Colorado, and Appalachian trails, I finally set foot on the CDT this past summer to...
Ultralight Backpacking With a Baby
As I strapped our seven-month-old into the child carrier, I couldn’t help but smile as he admired the birds singing, welcoming him to the forest. His little eyes widened as...
What Is a Tent Footprint (And Do You Need One)?
What is a tent footprint? In short, a tent footprint is a groundcloth that goes under your tent's bathtub floor to protect it and keep it clean and dry. And...
How To Treat Your Hiking Clothes With Permethrin
True story: I once forgot to pack bug spray for a backpacking trip in the White Mountains of NH. It was my first-ever multi-day backpack, but that excuse didn't mean...
How to Transition from Thru-Hiking to Trail Running
I avoided trail running for years because I hated running uphill. I didn't discover until much later that pretty much all trail runners, even the professionals, walk/power-hike at least some...
Is Freezer Bag Cooking Really Safe?
If you dehydrate your own backpacking food, you probably package individual servings in quart-size freezer bags. Not only are Ziplocs a lightweight, low-bulk way to pack food, but they also...
5 Amazing Backpacking Trips in the Upper Great Lakes
Since moving to the Twin Cities 15 years ago, I have come to love the special ruggedness of the Upper Great Lakes region, a place we call “Up North.” Forests...
Week 18: Washington Heat Waves, More Fires and Goat Rocks!
Entering Washington An extra half day is taken in Cascade Locks, Oregon. It's the start of a heat wave so we'll set out later in the evening. Most of our...
5 Stupid Light Gear Choices That Take Ultralight Too Far
Have you been on a really long streak of whittling down your gear list? Have you tinkered every gram of your pack to perfection? For some hikers, getting to a...
Tips for Flying With Your Backpack from A Flight Attendant
Stressing about traveling to your next backpacking trip? I hope that sharing some of my experiences can help!