Reducing pack weight starts with minimizing gear and replacing heavier gear with lighter materials. Ultralight backpackers know all the different methods to reduce excess weight to achieve a lighter pack. But backpackers often narrow their focus to reducing only carrying weight, and what you carry on your torso is not the only thing that matters. The weight of your feet, particularly your shoes, significantly impacts your energy expenditure and sense of load. The U.S. Army has research to support this fact: The weight on the feet is disproportionately more exhausting than the weight carried on the torso.[1] The rule of thumb […]
Camp Tips
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Although lightning is a common and spectacular weather phenomenon, its power is extraordinary. I was reminded of its awesome power when a storm suddenly formed while hiking the summit of the Mount Mitchell mountain range. Fortunately, I swiftly descended to lower ground and took cover before the cloudburst was unleashed. Within minutes of descending, the jagged bolts rapidly lit up the sky. Tragically, we later learned that a fellow backpacker was struck and killed by lightning that same day. The following week, a 20′ tree branch collapsed in a strike, narrowly missing my head by a few seconds. These close […]
The United States is home to some of the world’s most rugged and remote long-distance hiking trails. These trails, with their diverse and stunning landscapes, are a magnet for hikers from all corners of the globe, promising an unforgettable adventure. The ‘triple crown’ of trails, a term used to refer to the three most popular long-distance hiking routes in the U.S., includes the Appalachian, Continental Divide, and Pacific Crest trails. These trails, each with its unique challenges and rewards, are a significant part of the long-distance hiking culture in the U.S. Your choice of trail should align with the type […]
When you get overheated and sweat, your skin appears pinkish because the capillaries open up near the skin and release water and salts. As the sweat evaporates, it transfers internal heat from the core to the surface of your skin for rapid cooling. The blood near the skin’s surface becomes cooler as it releases your body’s heat into the air. This cooler blood then recirculates through the body. The perspiration and evaporation process is the primary method used by the body to cool itself down; however, it is effective when sweat can evaporate. The rate at which water or sweat evaporates depends […]
Lunch on the trail should be easy, quick, and energy-dense. Eating a large meal in the afternoon can slow you down, so your strategy is to eat light and often by snacking during the day and having a light meal for lunch. These cold-water prep meals are packed with complex carbohydrates, are quick to make, and are incredibly delicious. Here are a few easy options – Trail Salads Who says you can’t have a salad on the trail? Salads are refreshing, restorative, quick, and light. Here’s a glance at some of our favorite cold soak salads. 1. Mojo Mango Bowl – […]