For those of us who work 9-5 jobs, it’s hard enough to do a big hike like the Pacific Crest Trail. Weekends and holidays are the best opportunities for us to get out there, hit the trails, and explore the backcountry. However, not all weekend itineraries are created equal, and on a recent 96-mile backpacking
On a rainy San Francisco evening in late November 1959, thirty-three-year-old Japanese American poet, Albert Saijo, climbed into the back of an eastbound Willys Jeep station wagon. The wagon belonged to the red-haired poet Lew Welch, also thirty-three years old; In the passenger seat sat thirty-seven-year-old writer Jack Kerouac, looking fresh steve allen showAnd looking
Experienced backpackers can handle anything that comes their way. To get there, master these skills. listen to this articleHear (Photo: Zoe Gates) Published on June 27, 2026 08:05 am It’s hard to get better at backpacking when you’re not backpacking. Of course, you can train in the gym to prepare your body for the difficulties
This week we have some additional great gear releases aimed squarely at women who love the outdoors. This includes a trail shoe inspired by rising outdoor collective GorpGirls, an ultralight fleece from women’s hiking brand HikerKind, a linen running shirt, and aviator sunglasses named after Ella Fitzgerald (it’s not clear why). But that’s not all,
Making a living writing about hiking sounds like a backpacker’s dream. But Maggie Slepian writes that it’s impossible to bring money into your favorite pastime without changing the way you experience it. Ooh Ahh Point of the Grand Canyon on the Arizona Trail (Photo: Benjamin Klinger/iStock via Getty) Updated June 26, 2026 12:09 pm Dawn
In Amazon’s signature sale, deals on high-quality backpacking gear are rare. Instead opt for Independence Day sales on tents, boots, packs, and more. (Photo: Slim3D/iStock via Getty) Published June 23, 2026 06:24 pm If you browse prime day In hopes of scoring a deal on hiking gear this year, you’re likely to be disappointed. While
Published June 22, 2026 03:02 pm Culinary mishaps are a rite of passage for most backpackers. We’ve all tried – at least once – to cook an elaborate group meal on a small aluminum pan. An hour later, only to show up with a charred and somehow undercooked onion, you resolve to buy a proper
Triple Crowners share hard-to-find items they took during multiple trips. (Photo: Cavan Images/Chris Bennett via Getty Images) Updated June 16, 2026 11:58 am Backpacking gear is built to withstand tough use, but that doesn’t mean it’s indestructible. Spend enough time on the trail, and you’ll experience some form of gear failure, whether it’s a broken