There is nothing worse than settling into camp after a long day on the trail, only to find your backpacking stove won’t light. No hot meal, no warm drink, and a long cold night ahead. After years of backpacking and more than a few stubborn stoves myself, I can tell you that almost every ignition … Read more
Nothing ruins a backcountry trip faster than a snapped tent pole or a rainfly torn open by a rogue branch. I learned this the hard way on a 2023 Mt. Gede climb when a midnight gust folded one of my poles like a drinking straw. I spent the next 90 minutes in the rain, fighting … Read more
Half Dome stands as one of the most iconic hikes in all of North America. Rising nearly 5,000 feet above Yosemite Valley, the granite crest draws thousands of hikers each season who dream of pulling themselves up the famous cables to the summit. But here is the truth that catches most people off guard: getting … Read more
Angels Landing is one of the most iconic and thrilling hikes in the entire U.S. national park system. The trail takes you 1,488 feet above Zion Canyon on a narrow sandstone ridge with chains bolted into the rock, delivering views that stay with you for a lifetime. Since April 2022, hikers need a permit to … Read more
Learning how to triangulate your position using two landmarks and a compass is one of the most reliable skills you can carry into the backcountry. I have used this method in dense Pacific Northwest forests, on open alpine ridges, and once on a foggy ridge in the Adirondacks when my GPS battery died. It still … Read more
I have spent over 80 days hiking in bear country, from the backcountry of Yellowstone to the coastal rainforests of British Columbia. In that time, I have had 11 confirmed bear sightings. None of them turned into an attack, because the rules of bear encounter safety are simple, predictable, and very effective when you follow … Read more
Learning how to start a campfire in wet conditions without fire starters is one of the most valuable outdoor skills you can develop. I have been caught in downpours on backpacking trips more times than I care to admit, and I can tell you that the right technique makes all the difference between a warm … Read more
Eight years ago I misjudged a Sierra creek in late afternoon. The water had been knee-deep in the morning, but by the time I reached the ford, runoff from upstream had doubled the flow. My pack caught the current midstream, my feet left the bottom, and I drifted 30 feet downstream before pulling myself out … Read more
Scented food for bear storage is any item that carries an odor a bear can detect, including obvious food plus toiletries, cooking gear, trash, and even sunscreen. I learned this the hard way on a Section Hike in the Sierra when a ranger flagged the lip balm and toothpaste in my tent pocket as a … Read more
A bear canister is a hard-sided, portable food storage container built to keep bears, raccoons, and other wildlife out of your food and scented items while you camp in the backcountry. If you have ever stood in a gear shop staring at two plastic cylinders wondering which one fits your trip, you are in the … Read more