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Dealing with Mental Lows on Trail

Maggie Slepian uses past experiences on trail to push through rough days on Colorado's challenging Collegiate West.

It’s Time to Talk About Campfires

Why do so many of us still feel compelled to have fires?

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.

Learning Curve: Unpacking Backpacking

In a year of back-and-forth hiking plans and a busy career in backpacking media, Maggie works on understanding what backpacking means to her.

The Overlook: Observing Transition Season

Ben Kilbourne uses the writing of Aldo Leopold to examine his interaction with nature.

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

Learning Curve: I Finally Had to Plan a Backpacking Trip With No Help

I'm a big planner at home, but not so much with backpacking. On my last OCT solo section, I actually had to do all of the planning myself.

Standards Watch: Mike Cecot-Scherer Talks Potty Trowels and More

Rex Sanders talks to Mike Cecot-Scherer about his innovative trowel design and more.

Springtime Solitude in Southern Utah

BPL author Mark Wetherington rambles through Capitol Reef National Park.

The Overlook: Good Gear Lets You Be Present

What's the perfect pack? One that stays off your mind.

The Backpacker’s Journey

Rex Sanders examines the arcs and stages that backpackers take as years and mileage start to add up.

Learning Curve: Risk Assessment

It takes a close call for Maggie Slepian to dial in her risk assessment skills.

Standards Watch: Dan Durston Talks Design and Business

Dan Durston is a gear designer, wilderness guide, and biologist. In this interview with Rex Sanders, he talks about the process and philosophy of shelter design.

Unpacked: Rewards of Repetition

Greek philosophy says you can't step in the same river twice, but what about backpacking the same trail?

Take This Poem on Your Next Trip

The words you carry with you are just as important as your gear.

Learning Curve: What I Learned From Taking a Beginner into the Backcountry

I thought I knew how to take first-time backpackers out, but I'd never actually taken a bare beginner into the backcountry.

Standards Watch: Dan Durston Chats About Standards and Testing

Rex Sanders interviews gear designer Dan Durston.

The Overlook: Giving Back to Bear’s Ears

Ben Kilbourne reflects on his first journey in the Bear's Ears National Monument, and wonders how to give back to such special places.

You Know You’ve Been Backpacking a Long Time When…

Rex Sanders takes a walk down memory lane (er, trail).

Learning Curve: Learning to Turn Around

For some people, turning back is the hardest skill to learn.

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