Wilderness Skills

Backpacking Tights – Part 1

Tights are a very versatile backpacking tool. Their close fit keeps you warm and quickly wicks away moisture.

Backpacking with a Newborn

Don't lose hope - Backpacking is still possible with infants.

Hydration for Lightweight Backpackers

Dehydration is more than water loss - it's about the salts too.

Learn to Packraft! Episode 1: An Introduction to Packrafting

Episode 1 of "Learn to Packraft!" introduces you to the wonderful sport of packrafting!

Mountain SuperUltraLight Backpacking – Going SUL in the Mountains with Adequate Shelter, Insulation, and Rain Protection. Part 3: M-SUL Base Weight Gear Lists

Gear lists that demonstrate how easy it is to “make weight” for M-SUL and at the same time have all the shelter, insulation, and rain protection you need to stay dry, warm, and comfortable in the high country.

The SUL Mindset, Part 2: Less vs. Lighter

So take your normal gear, just take way less of it! One important goal of SUL is to take less stuff, not buy new stuff. If you have to buy new stuff, then I think that regardless of your pack weight, consider that you may have transcended away from the ultralight philosophy and into ultralight hypocrisy.

Mountain SuperUltraLight Backpacking – Going SUL in the Mountains with Adequate Shelter, Insulation, and Rain Protection. Part 2C: Selecting the Lightest, Most Functional Gear – Cooking, Water, Trekking Poles, and Accessories

Adapting SUL for mountain conditions, where frequent weather extremes necessitate more capable gear.

The SUL Wanderer (Video Series) – Episode 2: Food & Water

The second episode of Backpacking Light's new video series, "The SUL Wanderer" tells stories and teaches techniques about "SuperUltralight Backpacking" - the style of backpacking that focuses on the extremes of light weight, compactness, and simplicity for wilderness travel.

The SUL Wanderer (Video) – Episode 1: Gear

The first episode of Backpacking Light's new video series, "The SUL Wanderer" tells stories and teaches techniques about "SuperUltralight Backpacking" - the style of backpacking that focuses on the extremes of light weight, compactness, and simplicity for wilderness travel.

Mountain SuperUltraLight Backpacking – Going SUL in the Mountains with Adequate Shelter, Insulation, and Rain Protection. Part 2B: Selecting the Lightest, Most Functional Gear – Rainwear, Insulation, Headwear, Handwear, and Footwear

Adapting SUL for mountain conditions, where frequent weather extremes necessitate more capable gear.

SUL BikeRaftFishPacking (BFRP)

An SUL approach to multisport: bikepacking, packrafting, and tenkara fly fishing.

Mountain SuperUltraLight Backpacking – Going SUL in the Mountains with Adequate Shelter, Insulation, and Rain Protection. Part 2A: Selecting the Lightest, Most Functional Gear – Backpack, Shelter, Sleeping Bag, Sleeping Pad

Adapting SUL for mountain conditions, where frequent weather extremes necessitate more capable gear.

Mountain SuperUltraLight Backpacking – Going SUL in the Mountains with Adequate Shelter, Insulation, and Rain Protection. Part 1: Concepts and Scope.

Adapting SUL for mountain conditions, where frequent weather extremes necessitate more capable gear.

Spring Raftpacking (and Packrafting)

In the high country, runoff doesn’t always coincide with what we all consider to be backpacking season, where trails are dry and the days are sunny. That being the case, here are some tips for trekking, packrafting, and camping in the spring snow and muck.

Packing for Adventure Travel: Ultralight Tips to Integrate Wilderness and Urban Kit

Packing to combine adventure travel and wilderness recreation.

Spring Snow Trekking Gear List

Ryan shares his ideal gear list for late-winter, early-spring trekking. By utilizing a snow shelter and making a few adjustments to your kit, you can push the limits of your conventional 3-season gear.

An Introduction to Nordic and Backcountry Ski Gear: Part 2 – Advanced Nordic Ski Mountaineering on UL Tele Gear

It is natural for skiers, as their skills improve, to seek more challenging terrain. And, with access to mountainous landscapes, it is inevitable for a skier to enter the realm of ski mountaineering. An overview of UL backcountry ski mountaineering gear and discussion of proper gear choice.

An Introduction to Nordic and Backcountry Ski Gear

A Primer to Backcountry Ski Travel – Why you can and should overnight ski in the backcountry

Camping in the Snow

Proper gear choices, site selection, and preparation techniques can make or break a winter excursion.

5 Beginning Concepts for Winter Backpacking