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By the Numbers: The Energy Cost of Drying Your Base Layer
Drying wet base layers with body heat demands significant energy. The choice of fabric (wool vs. synthetic) may make less of a difference under some conditions; the quantity of water is key.
Differentiating dehydration and heat exhaustion in the backcountry
Dehydration and heat exhaustion often overlap in the backcountry, but they differ in causes, symptoms, and treatment - knowing how to tell them apart, and when to treat both, can prevent a manageable problem from escalating.
Episode 133 | Human Waste Management
In episode 133 of the Backpacking Light podcast, we challenge traditional cathole practices, advocating for pack-out systems in alpine, desert, and high-use areas based on science and LNT ethics.
Insulin resistance and the backpacker’s diet
Backpacking creates stress not only on your cardiovascular and muskuloskeletal systems, but also on your metabolic systems. Many hikers unknowingly live with insulin resistance, which can make high-carb trail diets feel like a rollercoaster of bonks and brain fog. This article explores some of the science behind insulin-resistance, field-tested nutrition strategies, and practical tips for building steadier energy during hard, sustained efforts.
Why I fish to eat with tenkara
A 16-inch trout yields about 11 ounces of edible meat (70+ g protein, 350+ kcal, B12, selenium, phosphorus, potassium, vitamin D, and omega-3s) for zero carried weight. My tenkara kit weighs about 3 ounces. One fish offsets its weight, trims food carried, and fills nutritional gaps in my normal rations.
How frequently do you use the supplies in your first aid kit?
I rarely use my first aid kit on short trips, but almost always on 5+ day treks. Blisters, scrapes, allergic reactions, and hotspots are the most common issues. Here’s what I actually use most.
Exertional Rhabdomyolysis Among Backcountry Hikers
Understanding the causes, symptoms, risk factors, prevention, and treatment of exertional rhabdomyolysis in backcountry hikers and treatment for safer trips.
Backcountry routines as a reset button
Waking before dawn, climbing hard to a pass or peak, and brewing coffee as the sun rises is critical for me. Those first grounded, predictable hours set the tone for the day. The routine becomes a steady jumping-off point before the real challenges begin, physically and cognitively, when the uncertainty and difficulty of the backcountry inevitably surface.
Reassessing backcountry sanitation: packing out human waste
Improperly buried waste threatens wilderness soils and water. Catholes have notable limitations in their ability to decompose waste in fragile environments, and are becoming a problematic human waste management tactic in high-traffic areas. See why pack-out systems are increasingly becoming a viable option for backpackers.
Bivy sacks & intimacy with the open sky
What makes you bivy? I choose bivy sacks for pitch-anywhere flexibility, fast setup, stealth, and intimacy with the open sky.
Not all rain jackets are completely waterproof (and why that may be OK)
Not all waterproof-breathable jackets are truly waterproof. Learn why some WPB rain jackets leak by design, how Hydrostatic Head and breathability trade-offs work, and practical strategies for staying dry in heavy rain.
Should I pack water, or tank up?
Skipping water for lighter pack weight can backfire. Learn how quickly dehydration sets in, what happens at 1–5% body water loss, and whether it’s safer to carry water or tank up at sources.
When you lose your water bottle on a trip…
When I lost my water bottle backpacking, I improvised with a disposable bag, backup chemicals, and a cookpot to keep going.
Episode 132 | Satellite Messenger Weather Forecasts
In Episode 132 of the Backpacking Light Podcast we talk about satellite messenger weather forecasts.
11 weeks of aerobic endurance training reduced my calorie expenditure by 20%
An 11-week endurance training program cut my hiking calorie burn by 20%. Can the Metabolic Energy Mile (MEM) Framework help reduce food weight, improve efficiency, and transform backpacking performance?
How to submit a public comment to USDA’s proposal to rescind roadless rule
Oppose rescinding the Roadless Rule: why a rushed process threatens U.S. forest protections and weakens wildfire and conservation capacity.
Labor day “sales” are a reminder for cautious spending
Consumer advocacy tidbits and news, sale warnings, affiliate marketing, and more.
Don’t overthink your hiking itinerary
Get your free copy of a hiking itinerary spreadsheet template.
Narrow vs. wide pads with bivy sacks
Exploring the challenges of pairing bivy sacks with wide inflatable pads, and identifying practical alternatives for improved sleep systems
Nemo Equipment Hornet OSMO Elite 1P Review
A review of the Nemo Equipment Hornet Elite 1P ultralight tent, evaluating its design, setup, weather resistance, and durability for backpacking.
Episode 131 – Ultralight First Aid Kit Strategies
Learn to design ultralight first aid kits for backcountry travel, matching modular kits (Overnight, Weekend, Expedition) to trip demands. Avoid errors, maintain your kit, and understand the medical rationale for each.
New Ultralight GearSee the latest releases in ultralight cottage-brand gear from small makers.
