Advice
The Basics of Planning a CDT Thru-Hike
Thinking about, or planning a thru-hike of the Continental Divide Trail? There’s a lot I think you should know, so for this first part, let's about timeline, navigation, alternates, information...
How to Get to the CDT Southern Terminus
Starting the CDT can be a little more complicated than the PCT or the AT, starting with the fact that there are actually three potential starting points. Generally speaking, though,...
Bears, Noro, and Lyme: What to Worry About (or not) on Your Thru-Hike
So, you’re planning to head out on trail for a long walk. Maybe even a thru-hike of one of the Triple Crown trails — the Appalachian Trail, Pacific Crest Trail,...
Vlogging Etiquette: How to Document Your Hike Without Making a Scene
I have vlogged two hikes already (the Pacific Crest Trail, and the Colorado Trail), and also plan on vlogging my upcoming Appalachian Trail hike. However, in the weeks approaching the...
Thru-Hikers’ Advice for Beginner Backpackers
These hikers have over 30,000 combined miles between them, but they were all beginners once. Here's their advice for beginner backpackers, and anyone looking to get out into the backcountry...
Mailbag with Jennifer Pharr Davis: Taking a Year Off Before Finishing a Thru-Hike
Welcome to Mailbag with Jennifer Pharr Davis, where we take hikers’ questions and pass them off to the trail legend for her wisdom and analysis. JPD’s newest book, The Pursuit of Endurance is
Own the Hot Flashes: Tips for Menopausal Hikers
You may see them infrequently. You may wonder at their skill or endurance. If you’re the average AT thru-hiker—young and male—you may worry about their safety and health. Don’t. Women...
Learning to Read the Landscape
Over the past decade, more and more thru-hikers have ditched maps and have instead opted for guides like The A.T. Guide or Yogi’s Pacific Crest Trail Handbook that stick to...
The Best Cameras and Lenses for Hiking and Backpacking
Although no camera can perfectly recreate the beauty of the backcountry, some do a much job than others. Once upon a time, using professional-caliber photography setup would've added several extra
Ultralight Backpacking 103: The Skill Set
The following series on ultralight backpacking is brought to you by Gossamer Gear, a leading UL gear manufacturer since 1998. Gossamer Gear is a small, passionate company whose mission is to...