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Book Review: Trail of the Lost

Mark Wetherington reviews the Trail of the Lost by Andrea Lankford and reacts to the implications it unveils for backpackers.

Bikepacking: More Miles, More Smiles

Mark Wetherington tries his hand at ultralight bikepacking and hiking to remote places along the CDT in Montana.

Backcountry Skiing to a Fire Lookout

BPL author Mark Wetherington skis into a remote fire lookout tower in Montana’s backcountry on a chilly winter night.

Backcountry Permits: Navigating Logistics and Disappointment in the Modern Technological Age

Different land management agencies have different difficulties obtaining a permit to plan and enjoy a backpacking trip.

Durston X-Mid Pro 2 Review

UPDATED! (Long-term performance) - The Durston X-Mid Pro 2 tent is an ultralight (20.4 oz / 578 g) two-person, side-entry, double-door, double-vestibule single-wall Dyneema Composite Fabrics (DCF) trekking pole-supported shelter.

Musings: Hiking in Grizzly Country

Musings about backpacking in grizzly bear habitat.

Lunar Eclipse at Craters of the Moon National Monument

Observing a lunar phenomenon in an otherworldly landscape provides a sense of awe distinct from typical backpacking trips

How to Practice Leave No Trace Principles at Hot Springs

Camping near hot springs can be a magical experience for backpackers, but these unique natural features require special care to minimize human impact.

The Backpacking Tithe Revisited

Further reflections on short trips vs. thru-hiking.

Ultralight Cottage Gear Makers Reflect On The Last Few Years

Cottage backpacking gear makers face supply chain and logistical challenges but find fulfillment in other aspects of their operations.

Longest Known Soaking at Goldbug Hot Springs

A well-timed winter backpacking trip allowed for priceless solitude at an oft-crowded Idaho hot springs.

Where Do I Put My Waterbottles When Backpacking?

What's the best way to store water bottles while backpacking? You've got some options, but the answer depends on what you want to achieve.

Pa’lante V2 Review

The Pa'lante V2 Backpack (16.8 to 17.5 ounces / 476 to 495 g, MSRP $240) is a lightweight, frameless backpack for low to moderate weight loads and compact equipment.

Why and How to Organize and Pack Backpacking Gear on the Trail and in Camp

Having an intentional, consistent, and efficient approach to packing your gear for a backpacking trip saves time and energy while hiking and in camp.

Cutting it Short in the Lost River Range

Mark Wetherington confronts the novelty of bailing on a trip after things don't go as planned in Idaho's Lost River Range.

How to Use an Ursack

Ursacks are lighter alternatives to bear canisters for food storage but require the right knots and tying locations to protect your food.

“Leave Only Footprints: My Acadia to Zion Journey Through Every National Park” by Conor Knighton (Book Review)

Mark Wetherington reviews a book about national parks and uses it to examine his own relationship with iconic public lands.

Leave No Trace Winter Backpacking Best Practices

An overview of how Leave No Trace techniques can be applied to winter backpacking.

How Biking to Trailheads Can Enrich Backpacking

Mark Wetherington explores how trading auto for bicycle for home-to-trailhead transportation impacts the hiking and backpacking experience.

Thinking Behind the Gate

Now when I'm reading on an NPS or USFS website and see "gate closed until..." I don't see a barrier - I see an opportunity for solitude.

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