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Building a Dehydrated and Freeze-Dried Pantry to make Simple and Tasty On-Trail Dinners and Meals
Tired of pricey freeze-dried meals and long rehydration times, I turned to making my own backcountry dinners. Drawing inspiration from Backcountry Foodie and Backpacking Light, I now build simple, flavorful meals with dehydrated pasta and quality ingredients that rehydrate faster and taste better. This article shares my approach, lessons learned, and encouragement to take the first step toward DIY trail food.
Learning Curve: I Finally Had to Plan a Backpacking Trip With No Help
I'm a big planner at home, but not so much with backpacking. On my last OCT solo section, I actually had to do all of the planning myself.
Backpacking Organization
Staying organized keeps my backpacking system efficient and stress-free. This article details how I use Hyperlite Mountain Gear pods to give every item a place, from food and sleep systems to first aid and clothing. I break down my exact pod layout, showing how an organized pack saves time, prevents forgotten gear, and makes life in camp smoother.
Episode 41 | Matt Mason on Bikepacking and Public Lands, Part II
In today’s podcast, we are joined once again by Matt Mason for part two of our ongoing bikepacking conversation. This conversation digs a little more deeply into the nuances and logistical questions of bikepacking.
Nunatak Gear Bears Ears 50 Backpack Review
The Nunatak Gear Bears Ears 50 Backpack (MSRP: $330, ~28 ounces / 794 g) is an innovative frameless pack designed specifically to accommodate bear canisters. It features a unique water bottle storage system, optional shoulder-strap pockets, a removable foam back panel, a floating hipbelt, a large wrap-around exterior pocket, and a closed-cell foam pad attachment system.
The Guilt of Bringing Luxury Items While Trying To Lower Base Weight
Photography drew me into backpacking, but a 40-pound pack nearly ended it. This article traces my journey from budget gear and heavy DSLR kits to lighter, more comfortable setups that make the backcountry enjoyable again. By investing thoughtfully in weight savings, I found a balance that supports both hiking and creative goals—proving backpacking doesn’t have to be miserable to be meaningful.
Benefits of Stretching our Limits
Backpacking began for me as a Boy Scout parent and evolved into a lifetime of adventure by gradually stretching limits. From short trips to the John Muir Trail, cowboy camping, quilts, off-trail travel, packrafting, and extreme environments, each step beyond comfort unlocked new skills, confidence, and unforgettable family journeys across wilderness worldwide.
Standards Watch: Mike Cecot-Scherer Talks Potty Trowels and More
Rex Sanders talks to Mike Cecot-Scherer about his innovative trowel design and more.
Backpacking First-Aid Philosophies
Two ibuprofen and a five-year-old Band-Aid ain't gonna cut it.
Hike Pie Toy
This essay reflects on a lifelong tradition of adventure travel and passing a love of the Sierra Nevada to my children. From Yosemite trips to the playful “Hike Pie Toy” tradition, it explores parenting, persistence, and creativity in getting kids outdoors—and how shared wilderness experiences strengthened family bonds, even through cancer and life’s challenges.
Springtime Solitude in Southern Utah
BPL author Mark Wetherington rambles through Capitol Reef National Park.
The Overlook: Good Gear Lets You Be Present
What's the perfect pack? One that stays off your mind.
Factors that Influence the Ability to Carry Weight in a Backpack
How much weight should you really carry? This article examines backpack load through conditioning, distance, elevation gain, and terrain—not just gear weight. Drawing on decades of experience and classic backpacking wisdom, it argues that comfort, fitness, and trip context matter more than obsessively cutting ounces, and that there’s no single “perfect” pack weight.
Episode 40 | Ben Kilbourne Reads “The Anthropology of a Trail”
Who or what makes a trail? This is the question Backpacking Light author Ben Kilbourne asks himself (and us) as he reads his essay The Anthropology of a Trail.
Searching for the Light
After the year of darkness that was 2020, I needed to walk in the light of the Mojave desert.
By the Numbers: Is Synthetic Insulation Warm When Wet?
We throw some quantitative testing at an oft-repeated synthetic insulation claim to measure the thermal performance of wet insulation.
The Backpacker’s Journey
Rex Sanders examines the arcs and stages that backpackers take as years and mileage start to add up.
Enlightened Equipment Uprising Underquilt
The Enlightened Equipment Uprising Underquilt is a tapered, somewhat customizable underquilt aimed at experienced hammock users. It incorporates a number of performance features differentiating itself from the majority of available offerings, such as strategically placed insulation and a unique suspension system.
Sea to Summit Ultra-Sil Nano Travel Day Pack Review
The Sea to Summit Ultra-Sil Nano Travel Day Pack (MSRP: $29.95, 1 oz / 30g) is an 18 L summiting daypack that can be compressed to the size of an egg and tucked into a multiday pack for peak-bagging on longer trips.
Episode 39 | Matt Mason on Bikepacking and Public Lands, Part I
Andrew interviews backpacker turned bikepacker Matt Mason in a Bikepacking 101 conversation.
Learning Curve: Risk Assessment
It takes a close call for Maggie Slepian to dial in her risk assessment skills.
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Garage Grown Gear Hidden Gems
Discover under-the-radar ultralight gear from small brands.
