Wilderness Skills

Considering Minimalist Footwear for Backpacking

While it sounds romantic to be able to trek in hemp-strapped huaraches or five-toed skins, the reality of wild places and the limitations of your body’s biomechanics may necessitate a different type of minimalist footwear.

Tarp Camping Techniques for Inclement Conditions

Backpacking and the Bruin Mind

Staying Dry in a Bivy Sack: Techniques for Managing the Moisture Balance Between External Precipitation and Internal Condensation

This article was originally published in issue 7 of the Backpacking Light Print Magazine. It has since been revised and updated by the author for web publication.

Ultralight Baking

After a few days on the trail, dehydrated meals can get monotonous. A bit more variety is often desirable and freshly baked bread is a delicious and lightweight option.

Map and Compass: A City-girl Walks Western Wilderness

Cleaning Up after a Backpacking Meal… using Honey?

A simple (and tasty) trick to keep your camp kitchen clean.

On-Trail Route Finding: When the Trail is Hard to Follow

"I've never been lost, but I was once a mite bewildered for a few days." - Daniel Boone

How Backpacking Light Has Helped Our Camp Fire Council Take Kids Backpacking

Developing a relationship with the outdoors and teaching others to do the same, introducing kids to the charm of the backcountry has a magic all its own.

BushBuddy Stove Tweaks

A few simple modifications to make your BushBuddy faster and even more covet-worthy!

How to Best Pack Your UL/Frameless Backpack with UL Gear

The advantages of having a lightweight, frameless backpack are huge - but without that heavy frame, the backpack has all the qualities of a large sack. For maximum comfort, you'll need to pack carefully, in a way that gives your backpack form and balance.

Make Your Own Gear: Igloos

Build an igloo using the “hub and spoke method” and lightweight backpacking tools.

Fast and Light Shoulder Season Footwear Tips

Avoiding wet feet in the shoulders seasons can be impossible. Follow a few simple principles to ensure your feet are happy, no matter the conditions!

What a Beginner Needs for Backpacking: Part 2

Clothing, Footwear, Group Gear (Water Treatment, Stoves and Fuel, Shelter). Basic training for the beginner and/or young backpacker, with a focus on Scouts.

What a Beginner Needs for Backpacking: Part 1

The Lightweight Lesson, Essentials, Backpack, Sleeping Bag and Pad, Personal Kit. Basic training for the beginner and/or young backpacker, with a focus on Scouts.

Backpacking and Hiking with an Umbrella

Francis is an umbrella advocate, eschewing typical rainwear. Find out why he's backpacked over 12,500 miles with an umbrella... and decide if you should follow his lead.

Mike Clelland’s Tiny Manifesto of Ultralight Backpacking Tips

Rotating feature with tips and illustrations from Mike Clelland!'s new book: Ultralight Backpackin' Tips

How to Use Trekking Poles: The Gas-Brake-Coast Method

Poking poles around for added stability is fairly intuitive, but the full promise of two more legs - greater endurance, building upper body strength, and reducing injury from stress or falls - requires some technique. Try Skip's straightforward and effective approach!

Backpacking versus Thru-hiking

Thru-hiking is not simply a longer version of a backpacking trip. Considering thru-hiking a long trail? Make sure you know what you're getting into and set yourself up for success.

Guidelines for Grizzly Country

While most grizzly behavior is predictable, there is always an extent to which animals are unpredictable, and thus hiking in grizzly country is inherently dangerous, even if the statistical hazard is very small. Read up on salient safety issues before your next late season backpacking or hunting trip.