Chunky Chipotle Chili

The weather is turning cold and we’ve got something to help warm you up. Chunky Chipotle Chili, a medium-spicy soup featuring mixed beans, lentils, quinoa, chipotle pepper, and chile de árbol! This chili pairs well with corn chip dippers, pasta, eggs and rice. Vegan and Gluten Free.  

Practical Tips for Responsible Backpacking and Eco-Friendly Living

Although our routines may seem insignificant, the decisions we make in our daily lives impact the wellness of our health, family, community, and world. For instance, conserving energy by turning the lights off in empty rooms is a start to environmental awareness. This small habit is sensible because it saves natural resources and money. This action may lead to other changes, such as making non-toxic, biodegradable cleaning supplies using vinegar, baking soda, and lemon. Adopting more significant practices, like using a bike instead of a car for short-distance trips, could be next. Unsurprisingly, simple eco-friendly habits tend to blend across […]

Sleep Better When Backpacking: Slumber and Siestas

For backpackers, especially thru-hikers, quality sleep is a crucial yet often overlooked aspect of enjoying the trail. However, falling asleep and staying asleep can be a challenge. Endless reasons can disrupt your sleep while on the trail, such as stormy weather, nocturnal animals scurrying around your tent, aching bones, physical discomfort sleeping on the ground, a snoring tentmate, and noisy campmates. What can you do if you have trouble sleeping in the wilderness? Prevent sleeplessness from occurring in the first place by not eating a heavy meal right before bed and avoiding sugary foods. Eat foods that promote sleep in the evening or a […]

Listening In: Earthly Sounds in a Man-Made World

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, they are simultaneously filtering part of it out. We humans have had a lot of help tuning out mother nature, especially with the advent of portable electronic devices. It has become challenging to hear the natural world among the noise synonymous with modern life. On a busy road filled with traffic, notice how difficult it is to talk to a friend. You must raise your voice to compete with traffic […]

How Far? How to Estimate Distance with your Thumb

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 estimate travel time while hiking relative to your pace. Did you know you can estimate distance using only your finger? Estimating distance using only your finger is based on this known fact about human anatomy: Your arm is about ten times longer than the distance between your eyes. Here’s how you can use this information to estimate distance: Imagine you’re standing on a hill, and you want to estimate the […]