Over thousands of miles and millions of rain drops, I’ve had many ups and downs while hiking in the rain. Some of my most dire moments while backpacking were in the rain. There can be nothing more frustrating than enduring day after day of cloudy skies, threatening thunder, or worse. But fear not – I…
When I was first interested in thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail, I thought I had it all figured out. I wasn’t exactly brand new to backpacking at that point. I’d done hikes in New Mexico, the Great Smoky Mountains, various locations in the Great Lakes region, and abroad in New Zealand. But preparing for a journey…
The most crucial and consequential piece of gear you have, in my opinion, is your backpack. It’s why it’s called “backpacking”, and not “carry everything in your arms through the woods”. For this article, I will do a deep-dive into an ultralight backpack comparison of frames. Whether or not you choose to have a frame,…
Discovering the best ultralight backpacking gear can be daunting to newcomers. In this article, I’d like to give a birds-eye-view of what I look for when choosing a new item for my “big-three” (backpack, shelter, sleeping quilt). These are my main side-kicks for any overnight foray, so they need to pass muster. Hunting for the…
When you are out on the trail, there are small things you pick up on while you hike. Things that make your day simpler. These types of small changes to your routine during a hike can drastically improve your time in nature, lighten your pack, and give you more energy. Below, I’ve complied a short…