All Articles

The Ptarmigan-to-Belly River Traverse: Packrafting in Glacier National Park

Trips September 2, 2016

Luke Schmidt tests his wilderness skills with a Glacier National Park packrafting trip over Ptarmigan Pass and down the Belly River. He shares photos from the trip and the gear he used.

New Balance 1080 v5 Review (What is Fresh Foam?)

Gear Reviews August 30, 2016

The newly released New Balance 1080v5 shoes have "fresh foam" technology to minimize running wear on the body without compromising stability.

Packrafting Pacific Creek in the Teton Wilderness

Trips August 27, 2016

Luke Schmidt shares photos and commentary from his solo Teton Wilderness Packrafting trip on Pacific Creek and discusses some of his gear choices.

2016 Wilderness Adventures Photo Contest!

Trips August 10, 2016

Time to celebrate the beauty found at the integration of wilderness, photography, and lightweight human-powered travel! Submit your favorite wilderness photo and win a free trek with Backpacking Light in Montana!

SPOT Gen3 Insures Rapid Emergency Rescue When Needed

Culture August 10, 2016

SPOT Gen3 provides location-based messaging and emergency notification technology that allows you to communicate from remote locations around the globe. It offers custom tracking interval options, motion-activated tracking, long-life battery and more. Learn how one hiker used his SPOT Gen3 in a life-saving rescue involving another hiker with a heart condition.

Planning Complex Backpacking Trips: Best Practices

Trip Planning August 10, 2016

Best practices when trip planning includes: booking transportation, gear selection and packing tips for complex backpacking trips.

Hiking Underwear & Shorts – Men’s (Guides’ Notes)

Gear Guides August 10, 2016

Underwear acts as a moisture (sweat) transfer layer to keep you reasonably dry "down there". This guide highlights some important considerations about materials, design, fit, weight, and performance criteria when selecting a pair of hiking underwear (or shorts).

DIY Backpacking Stove: An Ultralight Vortex Burner (Part 5: Pot Support)

Make Your Own Gear (MYOG) July 29, 2016

In part 5, Roger Caffin shares his design for a pot support for the vortex burner as a solution for an ultralight winter DIY backpacking stove system.

Exped DownMat UL 7 Review

Gear Reviews July 26, 2016

Back injuries and poor sleep patterns lead the author to purchase an expensive mat: will it be worth it? A trial of the Exped DownMat UL 7.

DIY Backpacking Stove: An Ultralight Vortex Burner (Part 4: Lab & Field Testing)

Make Your Own Gear (MYOG) July 22, 2016

In part 4, Roger Caffin tests the vortex burner in the lab and in the field as a solution for an ultralight winter DIY backpacking stove system.

Dispatches from the Beartooth Plateau (Day 12): Exit to the Beartooth Cafe

Trips July 20, 2016

Live dispatches via satellite from an expedition in Montana's Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness: Day 12 - Exit to the Beartooth Cafe

Dispatches from the Beartooth Plateau (Day 11): Aero Lakes Basin

Trips July 19, 2016

Live dispatches via satellite from an expedition in Montana's Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness: Day 10 - Sky Top Lakes

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.

Dispatches from the Beartooth Plateau (Day 10): Sky Top Lakes

Trips July 18, 2016

Live dispatches via satellite from an expedition in Montana's Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness: Day 10 - Sky Top Lakes

Dispatches from the Beartooth Plateau (Day 9): Fossil Lake

Trips July 18, 2016

Live dispatches via satellite from an expedition in Montana's Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness: Day 9 - Fossil Lake

Dispatches from the Beartooth Plateau (Day 8): Lake of the Winds

Trips July 16, 2016

Live dispatches via satellite from an expedition in Montana's Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness: Day 8 - Lake of the Winds

Dispatches from the Beartooth Plateau (Day 7): Talus and Snow

Trips July 15, 2016

Live dispatches via satellite from an expedition in Montana's Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness: Day 7 - Talus and Snow

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.

Dispatches from the Beartooth Plateau (Day 6): In Search of Trout

Trips July 14, 2016

Live dispatches via satellite from an expedition in Montana's Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness: Day 6 - In Search of Trout

Dispatches from the Beartooth Plateau (Day 5): Crossing the Crest

Trips July 13, 2016

Live dispatches via satellite from an expedition in Montana's Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness: Day 5 - Crossing the Crest

Dispatches from the Beartooth Plateau (Day 4): A Merry Bushwhack

Trips July 12, 2016 Day 4: July 12 I woke up at 5:30 am noting an orange glow through the wispy fabric of my Cuben Fiber pyramid shelter. Unzipping the door, I was elated...