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Skiing the John Muir Trail

When the snow resembles cement and you're making one mile per hour or less at times, what would YOU do?

Experiential Learning in the Heart of Utah

A high school class laughs their way through five days in the Escalante National Recreation Area.

Return to the Fight! Lightweight Rematch in the High Annapurnas

After a knee injury put me on the ropes, I got back into the ring with a long, slow hike over many miles, hoping that the Himalayan trail would not be an impossible opponent.

Crater Lake Snowshoe Video Essay

Join some of the Backpacking Light crew for their three-day circumnavigation of Crater Lake. In January. On snowshoes!

Ultralight Three-Season Down Mummy-Style Sleeping Bags: State of the Market Report 2010

Mummy bags win hands down as the most thermally efficient bag design. An ultralight down mummy combined with an ultralight down jacket and pants creates a remarkably warm and versatile sleeping system for colder conditions. Join Will as he rounds up and rates the lightest three-season down mummy bags.

Three Sisters Backpacking

In 2008 and 2009, I got better acquainted with the lovely ladies that make up the Three Sisters in the Cascade Range.

Sierra Prime: Off Trail in California’s High Country

The greatest rewards come when you choose to get off the beaten path and build a personalized hike that mixes challenge and fun at whatever level works for you.

Seven Days on the Katy

I went looking for a long-distance hike in the midwest and found the 225-mile Katy Trail. No time like the present to try out my first thru-hike!

Backyard Wilderness: The New England Trail

600 miles of trail and it's not the Long Trail or the AT! Sure, it's got some rough spots, but it's a nice taste of something different when you want to cover some mileage in the northeastern U.S.

Lowrance Endura Sierra GPS Review

Lowrance adds touchscreen functionality with its top of the line Sierra GPS. With a plethora of multimedia options, it comes across as more entertainment device than a dedicated navigational aid. How does it work for backpacking?

Denali Light: The 2009 Attempt

A light and kind-of fast expedition on one of the world’s great mountains.

Denali Light: The 2007 Attempt

Lightening up on Alaska’s classic mountaineering route.

Wilderness Trekking II: Long Distance Backpacking

The stated goal wasn't to make everything else a little bland, but this trip was beyond the pale. And yes, everything else IS just a little bland afterwards.

Backpacking Light 2009 Reader Photo Contest Results

We are pleased to announce the winners of our 2009 Reader Photo Contest!

24: Nine Months ’til Summer

Episode 3: The first big snowfall of the season (in September!) had us traversing the Hyalite-Cottonwood divide for snow hiking and camping.

Le Parcour de Wild Race Report

With temperatures that ranged from -5 F to 40 F, the Bob Marshall Wilderness threw some formidable weather our way and reminded us: this stuff ain't for the faint of heart!

24: Garnet Mountain Forest Service Lookout, Montana

Episode 2: we focused on fast food preparation and the elimination of a whole lotta gear by hiking into a U.S. Forest Service lookout cabin.

Montana Mourning: Reflections on a Wilderness Trekking Trip

I got less - and more - than I bargained for.

24: Fall Equinox in the Hyalite Cirque of Montana’s Gallatin Mountains

You have 24 hours to quickly engage in a Wild Place with minimal disruption to your job or your family. Where will YOU go?

Photo Essay: A Traverse of the Bob Marshall Wilderness by Foot and Packraft

We entered at Benchmark (on the South Fork Sun), exited at Silvertip (on the Spotted Bear), and had the time of our lives over a few relaxing days while making long miles in a packraft on the South Fork.

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