All Articles, Dispatches, Podcasts, and Trailheads

Rab Kinetic Jacket Review

A fully featured hard shell at a minimal weight.

A Survey of Water Hazards and Water Treatment Methods – Part 6: Ultra-Violet Light Methods

The 2012 Alaska Mountain Wilderness Classic

Is this the longest, toughest, roughest or hardest? The beauty of it is that at the finish no one knew or cared. Every competitor was left with indelible experiences, challenges accepted and honestly won or lost. Each had started with a clean slate and had accomplished every step in the wilderness through their own efforts. -Adrian Crane, writing about the Classic in Ultrarunning (1986)

A Survey of Water Hazards and Water Treatment Methods – Part 5: Filtration Methods

Lamar

Ryan and a group of Scouts search for solitude in Yellowstone National Park's Lamar River Valley

Zpacks Multi-Pack Review

A unique accessory pocket that can be used in multiple ways.

A Survey of Water Hazards and Water Treatment Methods – Part 4: Chemical Methods

A look at several different chemical techniques for treating water in the backcountry.

A Survey of Water Hazards and Water Treatment Methods – Part 3

Part 3 of this series takes a critical look at several water treatment technologies available to backpackers

Google SketchUp Tutorial for MYOG Enthusiasts

MYOGers rejoice! SketchUp software, once mastered, can save you hours of guesswork and yards of material.

New Balance Minimus MT00 Review

An extremely minimal trail runner with options for the wide footed.

A Survey of Water Hazards and Water Treatment Methods – Part 2

Remove, kill, or inactivate? Part two of this series analyzes the legal and technical definitions as well as the practical significance of water purification and filtration.

A Lightweight Guide to the Crown of the Continent

Backpacking and Packrafting Glacier National Park and the Bob Marshall Wilderness

A Survey of Water Hazards and Water Treatment Methods – Part 1

The first part of this series provides an overview of the threats that can exist in untreated (and in some cases treated) water sources. Squeamish and hypochondriac readers be warned.

Sunshine in the Deep South

First update from Balls and Sunshine on their journey along the Appalachian Trail!

Ultralight Baking

After a few days on the trail, dehydrated meals can get monotonous. A bit more variety is often desirable and freshly baked bread is a delicious and lightweight option.

Map and Compass: A City-girl Walks Western Wilderness

Windshirts: 2012 State of the Market Report – Part 1: What is a Windshirt?

Weatherproof, lightweight, breathable. Might the windshirt be the ultimate tool in the lighwieght backpacker's arsenal?

Cleaning Up after a Backpacking Meal… using Honey?

A simple (and tasty) trick to keep your camp kitchen clean.

Cajon Pass

Backpacking on the Moon: A Trip Guide to Craters of the Moon National Monument

A look at one of Idaho's little known backpacking jems.

Black Diamond Axiom 40 Backpack Review

A lightweight sub-3-pound internal frame backpack that’s well designed, durable, comfortable, and features freedom of movement innovations.