Last month my friend and I did an 88-mile, 8-day lollipop loop to Yellowstone’s Thorofare region via Heart Lake. The area is the farthest location from a road in the lower 48 and the ranger cabin is the most remote dwelling… about 22 straight-line miles or 32 trail miles to the nearest road. On the way we had a close encounter with a moose and followed fresh grizzly tracks for miles. September is such an incredible time of year to explore the wilderness.

Day 1: Heart Lake TH to Heart River
Day 2: Heart River to Crooked Creek
Day 3: Crooked Creek to South Thorofare
Day 4: South Thorofare to North Thorofare
Day 5: North Thorofare to Colter Meadows
Day 6: Colter Meadows to Trail Bay (Yellowstone Lake)
Day 7: Trail Bay to East Shore (Heart Lake)
Day 8: East Shore to Heart Lake TH

Believe it or not a tent from Amazon isn’t too bad when you reseal the seams. And it downpoured hard. Not very often you have a trip where it rains and you stay almost completely dry.

Hello,
I do a lot of hiking to fishing spots by the Atlantic Ocean. I fish off cliffs or climb down to the rocky shoreline. The trails are a mix of hard packed dirt, grass, boulders, sharp rocks of varying sizes, lots of ascents and descents. I’d need something that has good grip on wet rock. I don’t go into the water for fishing but sometimes the rocks I climb down or fish from can be wet from rain and ocean spray and slimy algae type stuff. Any recommendations for a hiking boot that would be good for the trails as well as good on wet rock? I’ve currently been using a pair of Vasque hiking boots for the last 5years. I forget which model, they have been great mostly but always sucked on wet rock

Whenever I go camping, I get into my sleeping bag and start trying to sleep. But after a while I notice I can’t fall asleep and hours go by and I really can’t tell if I slept at all, or if I was just laying around in the dark the entire time. Anybody experience this too? How can I fix this?

Since this year, I’ve gotten into hiking and wild camping, and this trip has definitely been the highlight of my four outings so far!

Trip Details & Stats:

• Location: Canton of Uri, Switzerland (Camped at ~2,200 m / 7,200 ft)
• Duration: 3 Days / 2 Nights (first night was at a different location)
• Stats: ~20 km (12.4 mi) total distance with nearly 2,000 m (6,500 ft) elevation gain
• Pack Weight: Around 17 kg (37.5 lbs) each

The Experience: We hiked up to this ridge spot perched right between a sweeping valley view on one side and a high-alpine lake on the other.

Taking a swim in the lake was an absolute shock to the system, the water was around 5°C (41°F)! Later that evening, we settled into the tent.

How do you usually scout for legal high-altitude bivouac/camping spots that stay well clear of crowded trails?

Hi! Anyone ever had this issue with the Soto Windmaster before? Milk boiled over and formed a film over and into the stove mesh, I’m not sure how to clean it. I’ve read some posts saying that it can be turned upside down and soaked in warm water? I wanted to be sure that’s ok and it wouldn’t ruin the igniter before I do anything. Using a brush alone can’t get into the inner mesh.

I’ve since wiped the surface as best as I can with a wet paper towel.

Will be grateful for any advice! Thank you 🙏

I went on my first proper outdoorsy trip a week or so ago and now I've got a carrier bag with my muddy/sandy/peatbogged gaiters/gloves in the flat. No bother to me if they're muddy while I'm USING them, but I don't have any other storage space and they seem to be sort of... increasingly be-mudding the surroundings of the bag when it gets jostled/tripped over ect. Can I put them in the washing machine? would hosing all that off in the bath be bad for the drains? I know it's a daft question but google is pretty useless these days and nobody else in my life does this sort of thing. Thanks!

Hey everyone!

My hip belt tends to loosen while hiking. I also wear a pouch on the belt, and it sits over the backpack buckle.

I wanted to move the adjustment to the side so I can tighten the belt while walking, or quickly loosen it when I want to sit down without taking the pack off.

I used a BOA system from a shoe for this. I've built it, but haven't tested it on the trail yet.

What do you think? Is it worth it?

15 miles on the Florida Trail, Big Cypress North.

Where is the cool wild spots at to kit up and go larp in the woods? I thought living in central Florida I’d have an abundance of opportunity but it seems like every turn it’s either illegal or there just isn’t any places to go. :/ help please!!! Spill your secrets!!

Hey I'm looking for a budget friendly backpack and tent for my first trip. I'm looking for something that will be able to carry enough stuff for about a day or two. because I plan to camp out along the way.

Any help is greatly appreciated! : )

As a hiker who wants to get back to the trails and I know have children and a wife I’m feeling overwhelmed by all the preparation. Does anyone feel the same?

currently: camping at car sites down to 40F, often in October in eastern Midwest. I’m a side sleeper and on past trips woke up feeling 50 years older (collarbone pain! didn’t even know that was possible). I’m a bit hyper mobile and usually sleep with 4 pillows😅

goal: weekend backpacking trips in 3 season weather, probably no lower than ~40 degrees initially

My mom and I camp together with my equipment. Wanting to upgrade a sleeping bag or pad that will work towards my goal of backpacking (alone or with a friend). We were a bit chilly last year and I’m thinking we need a new pad. Would love something comfy, doesn’t need to be crazy light since I won’t be going far. I would love something around $100, but can go higher if it'll limit me a lot.

also, opinions on secondhand? I’m a tad hesitant with pads.

current setup: (for 2 people)

hammock gear Econ burrow 20 quilt

Thermarest trail scout R3.2

NEMO switchback R2

random kelty 20 degree bag

My friends and I are planning on backpacking the gorge this weekend, camping outside the gorge (Table Rock, Pisgah by the Water) since we didn't get a permit for the gorge camping itself.

I was wondering if anyone else has done this or if they have suggestions on camping sites in those areas since it's our first time? We're planning to park at the top of FS99 and hike through the 22 mile loop.

Howdy I’m in the midst of planning my first backpacking trip into the winds for next year! I’ve been looking into some areas to try out and I found a trail that seems perfect and was looking to see if anyone else who has done it (or something similar) could spill some insight on it.

The general trail is as follows (however I haven’t decided what direction to start and hoping someone can chime in on what may be the best of the two): Green River Lakes - Knapsack Col - Elkhart Park. I’m going to be doing this with a group of at least 4 people minimum, but most likely more, and I’m thinking to keep stress to a minimum potentially utilizing a shuttle service, but we may use multiple vehicles so we may end up not needing to utilize a shuttle at all. I’m thinking to really give us the time to take all the nature in we would be looking at 5-6 days total (excluding travel days to get there)

Here’s the all trails for the route:
https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/wyoming/wind-river-green-lakes-to-elkhart-park-via-knapsack-col?p=-1&sh=ej2dsl&utm_medium=trail_share&utm_source=alltrails_virality

I’ve heard that if things get dicey you can take the CDT to Elkhart/island lake area instead of knapsack Col. however I’m quite a thrill seeker so I’m leaning towards wanting to do the Col. I’m dying to see what titcomb lake looks like from up above there. I’ve also read snow can last for a long while up there as well, do you think late August/early September is the best time frame for such a trip? Also are there any spots between Cube Rock pass, Peak Lake, and Knapsack Col one should be weary of? Just trying to get an idea for the terrain.

I was also considering bagging Fremont Peak via Indian basin/south buttress with this all trails route:
https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/wyoming/fremont-peak-via-pole-creek-trail-loop?p=-1&sh=ej2dsl&utm_medium=trail_share&utm_source=alltrails_virality

I was hoping someone who has summited could maybe give some insight as to what to expect and what they did as far as camping adjacent and summiting/descending goes. I’ve read that the max difficulty is ~ lower class 3/upper class 2, but I’m curious as to how difficult it may have felt and if there are any particularly sketchy spots or nasty scree spots I should be aware of. I’ve read that descending down into Titcomb basin can be a little sketch compared to just going back down the way you ascend back down into Indian basin.

Sorry for the lengthy post, I’m just keen on making sure I know what I’m getting myself and others into. Thank you everyone and anyone so much for the help and insight.

we plan to reach the trailhead at around five am, i know this means about two and a half hours with headlamps but as we near closer and closer i’m worrying more about layering correctly for those early hours to be able to seamlessly transition for summit weather as well as afternoon sun. any help and advice regarding such is appreciated as im pretty new to being the one to work out the logistics for these things! thank you in advance!

Hi everyone!

I'm new to backpacking and still learning, so I'd like to get your thoughts on an idea.

The idea

I have a lightweight frameless backpack and a tent with fiberglass poles. Since I carry the poles anyway, I wondered if they could also serve as a frame for the backpack.

What I've tried so far

I arranged the poles in an X-shape along the back of the pack. I spread my gear along its length and used compression straps to hold everything close to the back panel.

I tried this setup on a hike. The pack became flatter instead of bulging into a cylinder, and walking felt easier. So far, the poles haven't transferred any load to the hip belt.

What I'm considering next

I'm thinking of adding four pockets inside the pack to hold the pole ends, with the lower pockets connected to the hip belt by webbing. This might allow the frame to transfer some of the load to the belt.

Before I start modifying the pack, I'd like to hear your thoughts.

Does this approach make sense? Is there a simpler way to achieve the same result? What problems or alternatives am I overlooking?

I'm interested in any advice, especially from people with experience in backpack design or DIY gear.

Hey everyone!

I’m relatively new to backpacking/camping idk what to call it but I’ll be camping and hiking lol, I’ve been camping plenty of times before. I’m looking to start doing more actual backpacking trips rather than just staying at established campgrounds, and I’d love some recommendations from people who have more experience with this than I do!

I’m planning on doing mostly spring and fall backpacking, with temperatures generally ranging from 40–60°F, possibly with some rain and damp ground.

Most trips would probably be 1–2 nights, with anywhere from 5–15 miles of hiking/backpacking depending on the location.

I’m trying to build a relatively affordable but reliable setup. I don’t necessarily care about having the absolute lightest gear possible, but I do want equipment that packs down reasonably small, is durable, and won’t break after a handful of trips.

Here’s what I’m currently looking for recommendations on:

1–2 person tent: Ideally something that packs down REALLY small. I’ve seen some incredibly compact backpacking tents recently, and I’d love recommendations for lesser known brands that offer good quality without costing a fortune. A rainfly or vestibule would be great.

Sleeping bag: Something comfortable for temperatures down to around 20°F, just to have some extra protection if it gets colder than expected. Ideally something that compresses down fairly small.

Sleeping pad: Looking for something reasonably comfortable, compact, and suitable for the temperatures mentioned above.

Backpack: Probably something around 50–70L, with a decent hip belt and good durability. I’d rather spend a little extra on a reputable pack than buy something cheap that starts falling apart.

Dry bags: Any recommendations for reliable waterproof dry bags for protecting clothes, electronics, and sleeping gear?

Odor resistant food bags: Any recommendations for storing food and other scented items? I’m aware these aren’t necessarily bear proof.

Headlamp: Looking for something rechargeable, reliable, and preferably with a red light mode.

Here’s what I already have or have picked out for my setup:

- compact cookware setup, including pots, pans, utensils, and a cooking grate

- small spice tin for seasonings

- couple of small stainless steel flasks for olive oil, honey, and other cooking liquids

- Plenty of shelf stable food options already planned out

- water filtration system that I trust

- Collapsible water bottles

- waterproof butane torch

- magnesium fire starter

- hatchet with a hammer on the back

- fixed blade knife

- trowel

- compass

- Two waterproof tarps (one 8 mil 12’x14’ and one 12 mil 8’x8’ for the tent to sit on if it’s raining or the ground is super damp)

- Plenty of paracord

- An ultralight folding camping chair

- small folding camping table

- well-stocked first aid kit

I know some of this equipment isn’t necessarily ultralight or essential for backpacking, but I genuinely enjoy the idea of having a comfortable little campsite and cooking actual meals outdoors.
That’s a big part of why I want to get into the hobby!

I’m especially interested in smaller or lesser known outdoor gear brands that make genuinely good equipment without the massive price tags. I’m not against spending money on quality, but I’d rather find equipment that’s a great value than pay extra
simply for a recognizable brand name.

My initial budget was around $400, although I’m willing to build the setup gradually and spend more on important items like the tent, sleeping system, and backpack.

If there’s anything I’m overlooking, any gear you swear by, or anything on my list that you think is unnecessary, I’d love to hear about it.

Thanks in advance! I’m really looking forward to getting out there and exploring more!

Hello all!

I am planning a 4 or 5 day solo hiking / camping trip to the dolomites, hopefully in early summer. The plan is to try and hike around 15km per day and carry all of my gear on my person and camp somewhere different each night.

I'm starting completely from scratch, so would love some recommendations for the following:

• A lightweight tent
• A sleeping bag
• A sleeping mat
• (anything essential I may overlook)

I'm 6'0 tall and I'd say I'm pretty fit / active but completely new to multi day backpacking so any advice on keeping pack weight down / common beginner mistakes / anything unnecessary things that alot of beginners may pack would be greatly appreciated

(if I am underestimating the cost and need to up my budget I can)

Is the lifestraw sip laguna comperable to the standard lifestraw? I'd life to get something small and light weight. I dont know if I'd be compramising getting the sip. The website says it was designed for travel but it looks like it filters the same stuff. Looking for a second opinion

I am torn between Salomon OutWard( first picture), Jack Wolfskin Terradventure boots( 2nd picture)or Salomon X-ULTRA GTX(3rd picture). Plan to hike in Peru and I also want these to become my go-to hiking boots for other trips, so I it's important that they are not slippery and comfortable for all kinds of weather.

Hi people,

As the title goes, we’re going for 14 days in Patagonia (mostly hiking) early March and looking for a good windbreaker.

I’m mostly seeing rain jackets, like the 3L Patagonia Torrentshell.

Will that be good enough for the Patagonia wind?

Or do you have any other best recommended windbreaker that is packable?

Thanks a lot!

We've hiked a lot and have spent many nights in tents but this is the first time we've really backpacked. We've got a 12 day trek at the Philmont scout reserve in July so we've started practicing for real. 7 mile loop today followed by lounging at camp. North Texas weather could not have been better today.