Lessons from the John Muir Trail by Lauren Ruhe
The John Muir Trail taught me many lessons, one of the biggest being that you can prepare as much as possible, but sometimes life throws you unexpected challenges, and you have to adapt. What initi...
Three Friends’ Journey Along Olympic National Park’s North Coast By: Jason Huckeba
A trip along the northern coastline of Olympic National Park is a dream for many backpackers. For Monica, David, and I, this adventure from Shi-Shi Beach to Cape Alava offered a blend of stunning s...
This second 10-day adventure began August 7, 2023, in the Trickle Lake region on the eastern side of the Grand Mesa. Last month I explored the western side by foot and packraft visiting 15 lakes in...
Minimalist V2 Review by Monica Stapleton
It’s been a few months since my season started back in Zion. With half of my workdays being patrol-based, a good backpack is a crucial part of my day-to-day operations. I’ve been hiking exclusively...
Make Your Own Bike Panniers by Jim Sutherland
Last winter I learned how to choose the right fabric, work a sewing machine and make my own, semi-packable bike pannier. This short piece is about how it went for me, what I learned, and what I’d ...
The Backpacking Ultrarunner (and an ode to the Haven) by Heather Hoechst
I love backpacking. I also love running. It can be difficult (though not impossible) to run with a fully weighted backpack. This summer, I found myself in a quandary as I had signed up for a 120-mi...