Skills

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.

Lightweight Fry Bake Gear and Technique (Video)

If you're a fan of fry-baked meals in the backcountry, and you are reading this article, it's not likely you're one who gets real excited about carrying the two-pound classic Banks' Fry Bake. Here are some options for lighter gear and techniques for fry-baking as a solo traveler, or in smaller groups.

Backpacking: Baby on Board – Part 2: Trekking with a Toddler

In Part 1, Fany and Nick embarked on a challenging journey with an unlikely companion: their 3 month old. Two years and another 750 km later, 30 month old Flora has completed the entire traverse. Thru-hiking with a toddler can be as rewarding as it is challenging.

Pack-and-Paddle Wilderness Route Planning: Predicting Stream Flows

Guidelines for evaluating watershed geography and streamflow to help ask the question: is this creek runnable in a packraft?

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.

Winter Firebuilding Techniques (Video)

Ryan Jordan presents some tools and techniques for dealing with wet wood for firebuilding in winter conditions.

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

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.