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Backpacking Checklist (Gear List): 3-Season, 3-Day
An example of what a lightweight backpacker might take on a 3-day outing.
State of the Market Report: Family/Group Backpacking Tents
Tired of solo trips? Ditch the tiny tarp for one of these multi-person shelters and share the weight with your friends and family. You may even save a few ounces!
How to Use Trekking Poles: The Gas-Brake-Coast Method
Poking poles around for added stability is fairly intuitive, but the full promise of two more legs - greater endurance, building upper body strength, and reducing injury from stress or falls - requires some technique. Try Skip's straightforward and effective approach!
Lightweight Integrated Canister Fuel Cooking Systems State of the Market Report 2011: Part 2 – Trends, Stove Ratings, and Selections
Integrated canister fuel cooking systems have advanced substantially in every way – they’re lighter, faster, more efficient, and have more cooking capacity and versatility. In this part we highlight this evolution, explore how these stoves can be very weight-efficient, and identify the top performing stoves for different situations and needs.
Continental Divide Trail Project Report: Hopewell Lake, NM, August 2011
An open letter from a grandfather to his two grandsons, about his CDTA volunteer time.
Vango Helium Superlite 200 Tent Review
A sub-40 ounce, two-person, double-wall, hybrid tunnel tent that sheds wind and rain with ease?
New Balance 1000 Insulated Boot Review
The NB1000 replaces the discontinued Keen Growler as our favorite lightweight insulated boot; it’s made of lighter materials and has the same insulation and functionality.
MYOG: Down Vest
An easy introduction to working with down, this vest has no frills, bells, or whistles: just warm insulation where you need it most!
Lightweight Integrated Canister Fuel Cooking Systems State of the Market Report 2011: Part 1 – Overview and Performance Evaluation
The Jetboil Personal Cooking System was a major innovation back in 2004. We reviewed it in-depth and reported on its strengths and drawbacks. It’s wonderfully fuel-efficient and wind-resistant, but heavy, a bit slow, and low in cooking capacity. Fast forward to 2011; now we have eight backpackable integrated canister fuel stoves. They are fast, fuel-efficient, wind-resistant, some are cold-resistant, they have a much higher cooking capacity, and some are truly lightweight and can be pared down to as little as 7.5 ounces (213 g). Got your attention?
Berghaus Mount Asgard Smock Review
The Mount Asgard Smock is a minimalist mountaineering shell meant to withstand hard use and bad weather. If Superman needed a jacket, would this be the one?
Backpacking versus Thru-hiking
Thru-hiking is not simply a longer version of a backpacking trip. Considering thru-hiking a long trail? Make sure you know what you're getting into and set yourself up for success.
Guidelines for Grizzly Country
While most grizzly behavior is predictable, there is always an extent to which animals are unpredictable, and thus hiking in grizzly country is inherently dangerous, even if the statistical hazard is very small. Read up on salient safety issues before your next late season backpacking or hunting trip.
Patagonia Ultralight Down Shirt Review
Patagonia introduces the lightest down jacket to be found. We now have four good contenders for an ultralight down jacket shootout; which one will come out on top?
Completing a Thru-Hike
What sets successful thru-hikers apart from the rest of the pack? Superfitnessawesomesauce? A trust fund? The best gear? The answer may surprise you.
Mistaken for Strangers
Trip report from the New Mexican high desert: three fellow BPLers (strangers but for the forums) and a father-in-law unite to experience the thoughtful introspection and cheerful relationship inherent in a group backcountry trek.
With a Capital C: My 2011 Alaska Mountain Wilderness Classic
Race report, gear and food, and, for the really ambitious, pointers for entering a wilderness race.
Lightweight Mid-Height Trail Shoes State of the Market Report 2011
Do they have any advantages over simple trail runners? And who makes lightweight W-I-D-E shoes for hikers with duck feet?
Lightweight Mid-Height Trail Shoes: Montrail
Mini-reviews of the Montrail Sabino Trail Mid GTX, Mountain Masochist Mid GTX and AT Plus Shoes
A Marriage Proposal on Walden Pond
Can a backpacker more comfy on the trail find love with a lady for whom three stars is roughing it? An excerpt from Ron's recently published memoir, Pathfinder: Blazing a New Wilderness Trail in Modern America.
Lightweight Mid-Height Trail Shoes: Treksta
Mini-Review of the Treksta Evolution Mid GTX
Lightweight Mid-Height Trail Shoes: GoLite
Mini-Reviews of the GoLite Timber Lite, Surge Lite, and Carbo Lite Shoes
