Mark Wetherington
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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
Durston X-Mid Pro 2 Review
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.
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.
Unpacked: The Backpacking Tithe Project
Is backpacking your hobby or your habit? Examining the subtle difference can provide profound insights into how to spend your time.
Unpacked: Reservations Required
From first-come, first-served to limited lotteries and everywhere in between, permits are increasingly becoming a fact of life for backcountry adventures
Springtime Solitude in Southern Utah
BPL author Mark Wetherington rambles through Capitol Reef National Park.
Unpacked: Rewards of Repetition
Greek philosophy says you can't step in the same river twice, but what about backpacking the same trail?
