In an effort to get a more comprehensive look at thru-hikers and the long-distance hiking community, this year I launched the John Muir Trail Hiker Survey. The John Muir Trail (JMT) is a more accessible trail than the Pacific Crest Trail or the Continental Divide Trail and I anticipate it will be
UPDATED: Definitive Black Friday Sales Guide for Backpackers (2021)
This list will be updated daily, so be sure to bookmark this page and check back for new deals. I can tell you there are more on the way, I just can't tell you what they are yet. The best Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals for backpackers are already live with more in the works for the coming
24 Awesome Car Camping Gift Ideas (2021)
Car camping - or living out of your car - means that you can include a lot more in your gear quiver than a backpacking trip allows. Whether you're looking for some additions to make your car camping life more comfortable at a campground, in the backcountry, or are looking for some upgrades for
24 Great Gifts for Ultralight Backpackers (2021)
It can be difficult finding gifts for ultralight backpackers since the entire point of many ultralight backpackers is to have as few things as possible. That said, there are some items that can please almost everyone. A lot of these items are justifiably awesome, but they're equally expensive.
REI GUGO Sale: The Ultimate Guide (2021)
The annual Gear Up Get Out (GUGO) sale from REI is on again. In addition to getting 20% off one full-priced item, members also get an extra 20% off an REI Outlet item. To be honest, this year's discounts aren't quite as amazing as last year's at least as far as backpacking is concerned, but there
Ombraz Leggero Sunglasses Review
I previously published a review of Ombraz armless sunglasses, but I've decided to give them another go since the Leggero and Dolomite models are now available in larger frame sizes that no longer look strange when put on my larger-than-average head. Ombraz (pronounced ohm-bruhz) are designed with
7 Tips for Getting a PCT Permit
Getting a Pacific Crest Trail permit is the first step of any PCT thru-hike. A lot of future thru-hikers stress out over this process since it's essentially a lottery. That said, your odds of getting a permit are excellent. However, your odds of getting a permit for one specific date are less
Continental Divide Trail in Photos: Wyoming
Wyoming, the third state of the Continental Divide Trail (for northbound hikers) is another dramatic shift in the trail for thru-hikers. The transition from Colorado to Wyoming is just as dramatic as the shift from New Mexico to Colorado. The small mountain resort towns of Colorado are replaced
Buckskin Gulch and Paria Canyon – The Ultimate Backpacking Guide
Buckskin Gulch and Paria Canyon are located in the Paria Canyon-Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness spanning the border of Southern Utah and Northern Arizona. Both Buckskin Gulch and Paria Canyon can be accessed from numerous trailheads and they can be explored either as day hikes or as a multiday