Backpacking is a sport that as much requires knowledge as skill. That being the case, I find beginners often repeating the same mistakes as those who came before them. It’s almost a rite of passage, a ceremony of sorts. Thankfully, I’m here to help skip that phase of your career. Here are the 5 most … More The top 5 Mistakes Beginner Backpackers Make
It’s easily overwhelming; With so many options, brands, designs and an entire book full of terminology, the simply act of choosing a tent can become nearly impossible. This guide is designed to simplify the act and to help you decide what you need out of tent, and what you don’t. Let’s get started. What do … More How to Choose a Backpacking Tent
A delicious and easy to prepare variation of the classic american mac and cheese recipe streamlined for flavor, nutrition and ease of cooking; This recipe swaps time and fuel consuming macaroni noodles with Ramen and utilizes easy to find ingredients for flair and variety. Prep takes takes about 10 minutes including boil time, and the ingredients … More Backcountry Max Patch Mac and Cheese Recipe
Frankly, the instant slop that comes out of paper packets is garbage. Flat, tasteless, texture-less and drowned in sugar and preservatives, it lacks the very essence that is oatmeal. Oatmeal should be three dimensional, exciting, tasty, and filling. This is how you can make that happen, easily, in the back-country. First things first, you’re going to … More Backcountry, overnight oatmeal (Midnight Oatmeal)
Leave No Trace is, and should always be, a high priority to anyone who considers themselves a true outdoors-man. Just recently, a steely eyed reader brought up the question; Is toothpaste really Leave No Trace? Or should we all abandon our teeth for the call of the wild. Well, I decided to look into it. … More A Leave No Trace Guide to Backcountry Tooth Brushing
Getting into backpacking is hard. Not only is gear expensive, there are infinite choices for all the equipment that you’ll need, and everyone has differing opinions on what is best. I’ve devised my recommendations based on years of experience and years of hands on testing. The products you’ll find in this article are what I consider the … More The Best Backpacking Gear For A Budget
Most people dread the winter with a loathing as deep as the snows that it dumps upon us. Myself? I eagery await the coming frost with open arms. What’s the difference here? It’s mostly knowledge. This is my guide to making the most out of winter, and learning to love it. Why bother with winter? … More A guide to enjoying winter hiking and backpacking
It doesn’t matter how much you spend, how careful you are, or how experienced you’ve become; You will eventually damage a vital piece of gear in the backcountry. Tents rip, poles snap, pads puncture, and boots separate. Knowing how to repair your gear is one thing, but if you do not have the proper tools … More Backpacking Field Repair Kit
To some, obsessing about every gram of weight in the pack isn’t just a means or a hobby; it’s a way of life. This is no alternative. It’s cutting straps off of packs, pulling stickers off packaging, trimming unneeded corners off maps, sleeping under a tarp, and eating dry granola for breakfast. To me, that’s not backpacking. … More How light is too light?
Canister stoves work best at a temperature of around 75 degrees Fahrenheit or higher, but what happens when the temperature drops? You end up with a sputtering, stuttery, inefficient mess of a cooking system that may or may not even bring your water to a boil. What can you do? Let’s start with the basics. The … More Canister Stoves and Cold Temperatures
