appalachian trail

On Finding and Claiming Femininity in the Backcountry

Essays September 12, 2023

"...they never felt more powerful, or more fit, or happier about themselves and their bodies, than when they were thru-hiking." - Nikki Stavile on femininity in the backcountry.

Unpacked: The Backpacking Tithe Project

Essays July 30, 2021

Is backpacking your hobby or your habit? Examining the subtle difference can provide profound insights into how to spend your time.

Episode 036 | Andrew Marshall Reads “Salamander Song”

Podcasts March 31, 2021

Backpacking Light Managing Editor Andrew Marshall's essay Salamander Song is a love letter to the Great Smoky Mountains.

Followed in Plain Sight

Essays February 12, 2021

Shilletha Curtis recounts a harrowing encouter and invites the reader to see the world through her eyes.

Learning Curve: Backpacking is the Great Equalizer

Essays February 5, 2021

Maggie Slepian considers what it means to be a perfectly average backpacker in a city (and industry) full of high-achievers.

Q & A with Shilletha Curtis

People October 19, 2020

Shilletha Curtis was awarded a Backpacking Light Diversity Grant in 2020 to help her prepare, acquire gear, and train for her next dream: hiking the Triple Crown. We caught up with Shilletha for a quick interview.

Episode 27 | Listener Q & A

Podcasts May 30, 2020

Ryan and Andrew answer listener questions gathered from Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.

Getting to know “Buck” Nelson: Modern Mountain Man

People July 19, 2016

"Buck" Nelson might be the closest thing to a modern mountain man. Read Jorgen Johansson's interview with the man who loves the outdoors.

Completing the Triple Crown in One Year – Preparation & Planning

Trips July 15, 2016

Jeff Garmire is currently completing the Triple Crown in one year. He'll be one of the handful of people to accomplish this feat.

Backpacking News Digest (December 4, 2015)

News December 4, 2015

This week's news: Man Completes Triple Crown of Hiking; A Search for a Missing Climber is Suspended; Explorers Look to Walk 1,000 miles through the Middle East, and more - plus some stimulating forum discussion questions!

Lightweight Backpacking News: Digest No. 26

Current Events (*) November 3, 2015

In This Month's News: Woman Plans 5-Year Trek Across the Americas; Man and Woman Meet and Marry on the PCT; UL Sleeping Bag and Quilt Comparison Table; Ingredients for Planning an Expedition; Beginner Tenkara Tips; and much more!

Faces No. 4: Heather “Anish” Anderson

Interviews ("Faces") (*) October 28, 2015

Anish set the self-supported record for the Appalachian Trail at the end of September, and is the first person to hold simultaneous records on the AT and the PCT.

Lightweight Backpacking News: Digest No. 25

Current Events (*) September 28, 2015

FBI Fugitive Found on Appalachian Trail, A Survival Video Game, The Zion Flash Flood, A "Walk In the Woods" Inspires People to Get Out, MSR FlyLite Tent, and much more!

Backpacking Light 101: The Art of Ultralight

Wilderness Skills January 1, 2011

A Lightweight Primer to Backcountry Travel for the Uninitiated.

On the Trail With Lynne Whelden (Interview)

Interviews ("Faces") (*) August 6, 2001 Lynne Whelden is known in the backpacking world for his documentary films and instruction videos on the various aspects of hiking. His “How to…” videos are considered a valuable resource...