A seven-mile day hike in Northern California found myself and a fellow hiker casually meandering along a trail that wove through a dense patch of woods. Since I was hiking in the rear, I was the one to shout when a thin figure lunged from a nearby pile of brown leaves…
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Camping options for the overland enthusiast have been dramatically increasing over the last few years. There used to be only a handful of innovative manufacturers building a true off road camping trailer that can handle serious back country terrain. However today, there’s a multitude of cool options and styles available. Here’s…
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When you’re out there on the trail, you will inevitably encounter some not-so-optimal weather. Whether it’s wind, rain, snow, sleet, or hail, you need a rain jacket to protect you from the elements. If you haven’t splurged on your other gear, start here. A quality backpacking rain jacket can turn…
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You would be hard pressed to find a hiker who has never gotten a blister. I’ve taken off my Gore-Tex boot after a twelve-mile day to find several blisters all over my feet—everywhere from atop my pinkie toe to behind my heel. They are painful, irritating, and can make the…
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Jeep Camping Gear for the Off Road Enthusiast! Growing up around and being a current owner of a Jeep (46′ Willys), I share a fondness, as many others do, with this iconic off-road capable vehicle. With both a passion for Jeeps and camping, curiosity led me to start wondering, what Jeep camping…
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Not everyone agrees that the environment should be protected from the human footprint with no trace camping. But if you are a person who enjoys spending a lot of time great outdoors, then you probably want to make sure that the outdoors stays great. When you’re out there experiencing nature…
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Back in 2009 I was privileged enough to be a part of my Boy Scout troop’s first trip to Philmont Scout Ranch outside of Albuquerque, New Mexico. Eleven days of hiking through the most beautiful scenery in North America with nothing but what we could carry on our backs taught…
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Depending on where you live, you may or may not have encountered a poisonous plant or two in the wild. If you’re an avid camper like me, you definite have. Trekking along the Appalachian Trail through southern Tennessee, I’ve had my fair share of rashes and bumps from a lack…
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If you’re going to be spending time outdoors in bear country, there are a few things you can do to protect yourself and your property or supplies from harm. Bear safety should not be scoffed at or taken lightly, as the consequences are not worth risking. Without fear mongering, backpacker.com…
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The M416 trailer, or commonly referred to as a military “jeep trailer”, was designed to be towed for utility behind, as you may have already guessed, military jeeps. The M416 jeep trailer was an off-road capable cargo trailer. Small, but stout due to being military grade hardware, the trailer could…
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Hiking in the outdoors can be a healthy and rewarding experience. If you’re just starting out though, or even if you’re a seasoned veteran, you might want to consider some of these ways to maximize your time outside. Decide Why You’re Hiking in the First Place Are you training for…
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Located 54 miles (87 km) outside of Seattle, WA, Mount Rainier National Park has been in existence for over one hundred years. The breathtaking views, a wealth of hiking trails, and an eventful history all make Mount Rainier National Park a world-renowned destination. The mountain itself towers 14,411 feet (close…
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Tentrax Off-Road Camping Trailers offer tons of options and more than 20 new upgrades on all new models, for off-road enthusiasts who like to camp off the beaten path. Tentrax trailers are perfect for towing behind a Jeep, Land Rover, or any other robust off-road capable vehicle. The Tentrax trailer,…
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In this video by Sierra Trading Post, John gives a great review of the general different types of sleeping pads available for backpacking. John mentions there are two main purposes for using a pad: To provide some cushioning from the hard ground to improve your nights’ sleep To provide some…
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Bring the Right, Rain-Proof Gear If there’s any chance of rain, you’ll want to be properly equipped and you’ll be much more likely to have a great time! Otherwise, you’ll be miserable at the very least or worse, be at risk for hypothermia. Follow these tips for backpacking in the…
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A quality pair of polarized sunglasses is a necessity. Polarized sunglasses allow you to look through the water to see fish and the structure they are holding on. Polarized glasses may even save your bat hen navigating shallow waterways. The ability to see detailed structure will help you to navigate…
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Outside of getting lost, there aren’t too many mundane things that can impact your hike as negatively as getting a blister. Depending on how many foot blisters you have, and their sizes, it may mean the end of your trek. In a previous article we talked about how to prevent…
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If you’ve ever searched for ideas about making your own DIY backpacking stove, you may have discovered that are a ton of options – from alcohol stoves, rocket stoves, wood burning stoves the list goes on. We’ve quite a few examples over recent years, and below are some of the better…
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Many fly fishermen know that 80% of a trout’s diet is comprised of nymphs, but not that many anglers are successful nymph fisherman. Dry flies allow an angler to physically see what is happening and assess what they are doing visually. You can see takes and refusals that allow you…
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So you’re planning a backpacking trip and need some new gear for water purification. Only one question remains – what’s the best backpacking water filter? There’s quite a few lightweight, effective water filters on the market these days. Below are some different examples to to choose what best fits your needs: Sawyer Mini Water…
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Despite all of its added discomfort and difficulties, a snow-covered winter landscape can constitute one of the most beautiful scenes nature has to offer. Coupled with the comforting silence and lack of traffic, hiking and camping in the snow is often preferred by many to the equally beautiful, albeit more…
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My first backpacking trip was in 1991 when I was 18 years old. At that time, one of the hot 2-person ultralight backpacking tents was the North Face Starlight NHP, which I still have and use to this day. I was then amazed at how light it was compared to…
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Those of you whom both backpack and find photography as a passion know it can a real pain when your exhausted from hiking, yet run across an opportunity to capture an amazing shot with your DSLR camera, but it’s packed away in your backpack. Having to stop, unbuckle your backpack…
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Depending on where you’re hiking or camping, you may be miles from the nearest road, and even further from modern first aid facilities. To make things worse, you may not have cell phone service. These factors can turn an injury that could have been treated in civilization into a life-threatening…
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If you own a Jeep Wrangler, undoubtedly one of the most popular aftermarket accessories is a Jeep roof rack. They’re perfect for off-road camping (and on-road too). With a roof rack, you’re easily able to accommodate extra camping gear you need for your trip. Some Jeep Wrangler roof racks can…
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Bannock Outdoors today launched the first healthy backpacking food line wholly developed with the health conscious individual or family in mind, with meals and desserts that include natural ingredients, the highest amount of protein and fiber, and the overall largest portions of food per serving. As a result, anyone actively…
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A pop up tent trailer, or pop up camper, tends to be a suitable choice for those looking for the comforts of an RV, but need something that stores in limited space, and is easier to tow when in transit. A pop up tent trailer looks very compact when collapsed,…
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If you’ve never had a tick, you’re lucky they absolutely suck, literally and figuratively. For those of us that have had the pleasure of a tick embedding itself in our flesh, then you’re familiar with how tough and painful they can be to pull out. Personally, I’ve had a tick…
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Looking for a unique destination for an amazing camping holiday? You just found it. Devil’s Tower in northeast Wyoming is one of the most iconic natural sights in America, a stunning rock formation evoking mystery and ancient legend, that is thought could be the remains of an enormous volcano which…
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If you’ve never seen a Swedish fire torch, it’s essentially using a single, split log to make and contain a fire for cooking, heating water, etc. This video by Reggie Johnson is a great demonstration on how to make one, which is a very straight-forward process. Essentially, you just split…
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