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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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This video shows a great method bushcraft fishing using mostly natural materials from the wilderness. The materials you need are: Small container Fishing hooks Weights Fishing line – Twenty feet of six or eight pound test Safety pin (optional) Bobber (optional) An excellent way to store your fishing hooks are to…
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Bushcraft Tarp Shelter Configurations Using No Cordage While survival Lilly uses the Tatonka Tarp 2, you can use any inexpensive tarp you can find to make this bushcraft tarp shelter. First you want to locate two trees that are close enough to fit your tarp. Next search for two sturdy forked branches…
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External vs. Internal Frame Backpacks Below, Ryestudios discusses the different aspects of internal vs external frame backpacks. The two backpacks he reviews are Kelty Trekker 3900 ST external frame backpack and the Kelty Red Cloud internal frame backpack. The Kelty Red Cloud internal frame backpack is a better option for colder temperature…
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This is a great backpacking tip! John from IntenseAngler shows us his version of how to build a smokeless campfire. There is nothing worse than smoke in your face, or the smoke following you around when you’re just trying to relax and enjoy the warm campfire. As we all know, there are…
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If you have been looking for a better way to hang your food while backpacking, well here it is. In this video Joe Brewer teaches you how to hang a bear bag PCT Style (in case you are wondering, PCT stands for “Pacific Crest Trail”). The items needed to hang…
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This is Jason Hunt’s version of how to make a bushcraft chair using no cordage. You need several logs, about shoulder width apart. Two six to eight foot logs around the width of your wrist or a little bigger. A four to six inch diameter log and 2 more logs for…
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Simply put, this isn’t your daddy’s Thermarest! I had a chance to try one of these Neolite Xlite pads out, and compared to what I normally use, this pad was amazing. Extremely comfortable, the Neolite Xlite is about 2.5 inches thick when inflated but you’d think it’s alot more. When…
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There are so many things cool about the LuminAID solar light it’s hard to know where to begin, but let’s start with who made it. Designed by Andrea Sreshta and Anna Stark, co-founders of LuminAID Lab, the LuminAID solar light is inflatable and looks like a glowing pillow. The simplistic…
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Inflates in Seconds w/ NO Power or Pumping While some may enjoy the light-headed feeling and starry spots in your vision when hyperventilating to blow up your camping air mattress, the rest of us want to get this chore over as fast as possible and move on to other fun!…
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What happens when you put together a few hearty backpackers who each possess a pinch of musical talent and ingenuity, some repurposed camping gear, and a fifth of Southern Comfort? You get a backpacking band! Throw in a couple Martin Backpacker guitars and now you’ve got the ultimate backpackers band!…
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Save money & weight with these yummy food & beverage mixes from your local grocery store that are perfect for backpacking 1. Folgers Classic Roast Coffee Singles If there’s one thing that I crave when backpacking, it’s coffee. You can’t beat sipping on a hot cup o’ joe in the…
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Plan on going on an extended trek in the backcountry? Advancements in technology, both in renewable energy, as well as the efficiency & capabilities of hand-held devices/gadgets have converged to create a unique market – portable eco-power sources for your USB powered gadgets. MINIPAK 2W by Horizon Fuel Cell Technologies…
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