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A Happy New Bushwhacker

I Am Not Lost. I Am Bushwhacking

Bushwhacking is a form of off-trail hiking where you need to navigate through dense vegetation to locate you destination. Getting really good at it is an art form that takes years of practice and lots of hikes in all kinds of different terrain. Bushwhacking is not for everyone and about 90% of the people who [...]

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Philip on the Summit of Mount Jefferson (5712')

Three-Season Hiking Glove Systems

People are always surprised by the fact that I carry gloves on hikes and backpacking trips, even during the summer. I need them because I hike in all kinds of conditions, in rain and above treeline. I view hiking gloves them as an extension of my clothing layering system, with multiple pairs for different functions [...]

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A Beginner’s Guide to Snowshoeing

When winter arrives and we start to get snow, I like to get outdoors and go snowshoeing on the local trails near my house. In just a few hours, I can get a great workout and enjoy the solitude of the winter woods. If you’ve never been snowshoeing, I suggest you give it a try. [...]

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Bootfitter at Work

Hiking Boot Lacing Techniques

If you wear hiking boots and get blisters when you go hiking or if your boots don’t fit as well as you’d like, there are a handful of powerful hiking boot lacing techniques that you can use to dial in a good fit. Unfortunately, these lacing techniques have become somewhat of a lost art since [...]

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Hardshell Jacket

What is the difference between a hard shell jacket and a softshell jacket?

I had a reader contact me recently looking for a good winter soft shell jacket that is windproof and waterproof with pit zips, hood and ample pockets. I know the guy fairly well and it soon became clear that he was confused about the differences between hard shell and softshell jackets, and between water-resistant softshell [...]

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Pitching a Tarp on Frozen Ground

Annoying Gear Failures: How to Prevent Catastrophe and How to Recover

Backpacking and hiking gear has a nasty habit of failing when you least expect it or you need it the most – in the dark, when it’s pouring rain, or in the middle of nowhere. Knock on wood, I’ve never been stranded by gear failure, but it can be damn annoying. Here are some of [...]

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How to Fit a Backpack

How to Fit a Backpack

If you routinely experience back pain, shoulder pain, or hip pain when you carry a backpack, there’s a good chance that your backpack doesn’t fit you or that you’re not wearing it properly. This is surprisingly common among backpackers, and one of the main reasons why people don’t go hiking more often. The Biggest Mistakes [...]

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