Tips, Tricks, and Hacks

Sipping the Waters: Techniques for Selecting Untreated Backcountry Water for Drinking

Tips, Tricks, and Hacks September 20, 2006

Drinking untreated backcountry water can make you sick - but choosing your drinking spots intelligently can greatly reduce that risk. Here, a doctor shares the methods that have kept him healthily "sipping the waters" for the past 20 years.

The Poncho Tarp: Techniques and Gear Systems for Inclement Conditions

Tips, Tricks, and Hacks August 9, 2006

Poncho Tarps are not just for the eccentric. Learn how to use them in foul weather and save considerable weight and simplify your gear kit.

Backpacking Light Trip Planning Spreadsheet Contest Winners

Tips, Tricks, and Hacks June 6, 2006

The winners of the Backpacking Light Trip Planning Spreadsheet Contest are a diverse group.

How Far, How Fast, How Heavy?
Calculating the range for unsupported, long-distance hiking

Tips, Tricks, and Hacks May 24, 2006

Formulas and theory for predicting possible distances and times with ultralight gear for long distance backpacking.

Toilet Paper Free Expeditions

Tips, Tricks, and Hacks April 4, 2006

Go wild - leave the TP at home.

Selecting a Canister Stove for Cold Weather Backpacking
Part II: Commercially Available Canister Stove Systems

Tips, Tricks, and Hacks March 14, 2006

Many canister stove models become excellent cold weather performers with a simple twist.

Selecting a Canister Stove for Cold Weather Backpacking
Part I: Stove and Fuel Fundamentals

Tips, Tricks, and Hacks March 7, 2006

Fuel fundamentals and basic flame chemistry explained so that canister stove cold weather performance can be optimized.

Lightweight Backcountry Professional Photography

Tips, Tricks, and Hacks September 20, 2005

Complete lightweight camera and accessories setup for the professional backcountry photographer.

Foot Care for Diabetic Hikers

Tips, Tricks, and Hacks July 12, 2005

Perspectives on footwear and foot care from a type II diabetic backpacker.

Trail Food: Keeping it Interesting and Energizing

Tips, Tricks, and Hacks April 12, 2005

The basics of selecting trail food that is appetizing, energizing, and easy to prepare.

Frequently Asked Questions About Lightweight Canister Stoves and Fuels

Tips, Tricks, and Hacks February 8, 2005 One of our favorite canister stoves: the Coleman Outlander F1 Ultralight, only 2.7 ounces and hot! Canister stoves weigh as little as 2.5 ounces (71 g) and are very easy...

Getting the Most out of an MSR White Gas Stove: Maintenance Tips

Tips, Tricks, and Hacks January 28, 2005 Editor’s note: Don ‘Photon’ Johnston is a stove ‘geek’ and the inventor of the Photon Stove ™ alcohol stove. What follows is his advice based on over 10 years of...

Guide to Selecting and Using Ultralight GPS Systems

Tips, Tricks, and Hacks December 11, 2004

Systematic analysis of considerations for evaluating a GPS system of lightweight equipment and software for efficient navigation.

Buying an LED Torch: Headlamp Design Considerations to Help Guide Your Purchasing Decisions

Tips, Tricks, and Hacks November 18, 2003 Be sure to check our Gear Guide to LED Headlamps. Introduction If your brain isn’t overwhelmed by all the variables in our primer on LED headlamps, it’s time to go...

Lightweight Backpacking 101: An Introductory Manual for Lightening Your Load Today (1st Edition – August 2001)

Tips, Tricks, and Hacks August 27, 2001

Lightweight Backpacking 101: An Introductory Manual for Lightening Your Load Today (1st Edition - August 2001)

Nutritional Considerations for Cold Weather Hiking

Tips, Tricks, and Hacks June 25, 2001

Nutritional Considerations for Cold Weather Hiking