Philip Werner

Philip Werner quit his corporate job in 2010 to become a full-time hiker, guide, and outdoor writer. Since then he's hiked over nine thousand miles, become an adept fly fisherman, XC skier, and written over 3000 backpacking and hiking articles for SectionHiker.com.

3 Day Backpacking Menu

When it comes to backpacking food, aim for variety to keep meal interesting

Here’s a sample 3 day backpacking menu for a 44 mile section hike on the Vermont Appalachian Trail. When planning the contents of my food bag for such trips, there are two primary variables that I juggle: caloric density and variety. Caloric density …

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Under Armour HeatGear Boxerjocks

Wearing long pants can be a challenge when the weather warms up and you start to sweat more. It’s times like these when you need good wicking underwear that will move moisture away from your skin and prevent thigh chafing. So far, …

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Ticks, Lyme, and Permethrin

Wearing a Head Net on The Long Trail

Given the number of non-hikers that ask me about ticks and Lyme disease, it appears that either the awareness of tick-borne illness or it’s territorial spread are increasing, or both. According to the CDC, cases of Lyme disease are concentrated in the …

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Insulated Camping Mugs

Some people will debate whether you need an insulated mug for winter camping and argue that you can use a cook pot instead. This may be true, but it’s not practical. When I get to camp and start to melt snow for …

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