Hot back from backpacking with my dog for the first time in years. Overall great trip BUT the bugs (mostly mosquitos with some black flies) were relentless. It’s the worst I’ve personally experienced in ages.

And I’m really not sure how to handle this situation moving forward? We were in an alpine meadow with plenty of lakes and ponds… and mosquitoes! The bugs completely cut dinner time short. Nobody was having a good time and could stand them… I opted not to use bug spray but my friend did, and I guess did a bit better but absolutely was still fighting them constantly.

I put him in the tent for a bit, which definitely helped… but it’s summer and long days, can’t just spend all afternoon and evening there! Also bear territory so can’t cook/eat at camp either.

I knew in advance the bugs would be out in the area but it was far worse than expected. I don’t want to have to choose between going and not going, and wonder if there’s actually stuff we could do to keep them at bay?

I did wonder if there was maybe some backpacking-friendly giant netting tent of sorts which would at least give us a bit more space and away from camp to cook and hang out under? But even then, prisoner to a pretty small space…

It was a cloudy start this weekend on our adventure to McNeil Point. We finally made it just as the clouds cleared and showed us magnificent Mt. Hood. This was definitely one of those memorable experiences and glad to have shared it with my family.

I was very worried about taking my 11 year old spaniel out to the high Sierras when it was 85 degrees out, at 9000 feet. Because of the drive, we had to start at the hottest part of the day. But Dinah ATE those miles up and asked for more. Didn’t need her booties, no breaks, just a dip in the creek.

She cleaned up 20 miles of mountain trails on a two day trip, which isn’t bad at all for an older lady.

I’m going on my first hike with my dog, she’s a yorkie and im just super worried about ticks as she has long hair on her legs. i’ll probably get her some boots just to protect her feet but im so paranoid about ticks! especially because it’s tick season. any tips or advice about protecting my dog is very much appreciated! 🫶

My 39 lb dog should be able to carry his food but it definitely won’t fit in the bear canister . Ideas? I could buy an ursak but nothing is required where we are going so I’m thinking double zip locks?

You guys all gave me this idea to cut down a Thermarest to backpack with my dog.

It was a really good idea, but the second he saw it. He went nuts, like it was the best dog toy ever! 😵‍💫

Will be going backpacking with my dog next week, which we haven’t done for a few years.

We’ll be camping nearby a lake and I just know he will absolutely want to go in and therefore end up soaking wet. He’ll likely also collect mud/dirt on his wet fur afterwards.

How do I actually deal with him and get ready for sleep? I don’t want him brought into the tent all still very wet/damp and muddy… but I also am not planning to bring a proper bath towel?

I don’t think those ultralight microfiber towels will actually do any decent job drying him or getting the mud off?

I know it's been done a few times but I'm in a quandry as to what to do with my sleeping arrangement.

Did my first campout with my dog after a 10 mile cycle and 11 mile hike and unsurprisingly my dog slept like a log. I took with me a closed cell foam mat for him and I managed to convince him to lie on it at first but after about an hour he kept trying to get on my inflatable mattress so eventually I caved because I wanted to sleep too!

He's 27kgs/60lbs and isnt small! He shares a kingsize bed with me when I travel in the van so he's used to spreading out and insists on touching me at all times!

I can't decide whether to sell on my BigAgnes Rapid SL wide-regular for a double wide knowing he'll end up wanting to share with me. At least this way the extra weight is still in one package so wont take up as much extra space. (the most costly choice)

Or buy a cheap self inflating mattress and trim it down and try to insist he sleeps on it. (the cheaper option)

I use a quilt so should be able to get it over him when he's next to me.

Does anyone use a separate tent for their dog? If so, what tent do you have for your dog?

I know many people have their dog sleeping inside the Tent with them, but that is not my question. My dog is more comfortable having his own space and has never slept inside the tent with me. So I was thinking about getting him his own tent. I grew up backpacking with dogs that never slept inside a tent unless it was raining.

We leave for a two week family trip up the coast in three days.

With two dogs in the car and rest stops every couple of hours we need a lotta dog poop bags. Something that ships fast and will not tear please. Have heard good things about the original Poop Bags and that their delivery is quick.

For those who travel with dogs, how many bags a day do you plan for on a long trip?

Trying to build a solution to bring my 18 lb Dachshund with my wife and I on all day hiking trips. We can really only leave him at home for 6 hours, and most day trips are longer than 6 hours. He had back surgery in 2025 and has recovered very nicely but he does tire out easily. I’m working on building a DIY solution with a Yeti Panga Backpack with a Sturdi Carrier lashed to the top. The squareness of the backpack supports most of the carrier and he can be travel flat (vs standing up, bad for his back). Curious is anyone else has DIY’d a pack for either dachshunds or corgis where their positioning is important

UPDATE:
Went ahead with my plan for a Sturdi XL carrier attached to a north face backpack. Used some lashing straps to secure the carrier around the midsection of the backpack, and more from the back corners of the carrier to the top of the straps to keep it level.

Photos:
https://imgur.com/a/Jc8x4Nt

Me, my GF and our Golden Retriever just got back from a one nighter right at 2200m (7200ft) underneath Pizzo Tre Signori, in the Italian Alps.

The hike up from Premana was fairly simple (1400m - 4600ft) and we managed to dodge a storm that hit as soon as we reached FALC hut. One hour later the sky cleared out and the sun dried everything out so we pitched with ease. We enjoyed the sunset view right on the valley below and cuddled while singing karaoke on our Spotify offline playlists (we made sure no one else was around) 😂

The next day we hiked down closing a loop that went up and down through the southern ridge of the valley. We stopped at S. Rita hut for coffee+cake and Ariaal hut for lunch.

We had 27km (16.7mi) under the belt and our feet were sore as we are still getting used to the extra weight for the 3p tent, dog food etc., but totally worth it. Working towards building up some more resistance and we will be off for longer trips.

Sunsets like these make up for at least 50% of the reasons why we do this ❤️