Species Preservation

August 15

 "What humans do over the next 50 years will determine the fate of all life on the planet." - David Attenborough, British Naturalist and Broadcaster The decisions we make in…

Slumber and Siestas

June 8

Backpackers, especially thru-hikers, often experience fatigue. There are endless reasons that keep you from getting asleep or staying asleep - stormy weather, screeching owls, howling coyotes, obnoxious weekend hikers, aching bones,…

Listening In: Earthly Sounds in a Man-Made World

April 24

I always find it ironic when I see someone on the trail wearing earbuds. It seems that while this person is taking the time to travel through the natural world,…

How Far? How to Estimate Distance with your Thumb

February 27

Estimating distance is a crucial skill in various scenarios such as daily life, hiking, and survival situations. It helps you maintain your sense of direction, calculate distance and height, and…

Cooking to Save Fuel

January 15

White gas, kerosene, isobutane, and denatured alcohols are common fuels for backpacking stoves. Fuel savings greatly depend on the efficiency of the cooking process, as well as the stove and…

How to Cook when Backpacking

January 15

Whether you have recently started backpacking or are a veteran, you could probably benefit from a few cooking tips. First, we’ll describe the common method that backpackers use when cooking…

Treat Chapped Lips Naturally

December 22

Anyone spending time hiking, cycling, or skiing, has experienced chapped lips. The condition of dry, chapped lips often starts as a minor annoyance. Left untreated, it can lead to painful…

Saving your knees while hiking downhill

December 13

Knee problems are common because they are one of the most used and abused joints in the human body. If you frequently experience knee pain during descents or resulting soreness…

Leaf Foliage Lesson

October 24

Autumn is a spectacular time of color in many areas of the Earth, and the U.S. Appalachian Mountains are no exception. From radiant reds to mustard yellow, the vibrant display…

Coconut: Your Backpacking Food Companion

October 10

Coconuts are harvested from the coconut palm tree. These trees flourish in tropical climates such as the Philippines, Thailand, Mexico, and India. They also grow on the U.S. mainland in…