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.

Hiking in Scotland: The TGO Challenge

Philip's 2010 TGO Challenge Coast-to-Coast Route

Warning: Another big adventure in the works. I’ve decided to apply to the 2010 TGO Challenge, an annual, non-competitive, coast to coast hike across Scotland, sponsored by a UK magazine called The Great Outdoors (TGO). The walk is between 180-200 miles, depending on the …

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Ultralight Mini Grater

Mini Grater

Here’s a must have for the backpacking gourmet: an ultralight mini grater (available on ebay) for grating and adding fresh cheese, ginger, cinnamon, or chocolate shavings to your freezer bag meals and drinks. Weighing only 0.6 oz, this 4 sided box grater …

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Hiking in Aruba

Hooiberg Mountain - Aruba

Hooiberg Mountain, located near the center of Aruba is the 3rd highest peak on the island at 168m and featured on the Aruban flag. When you land at the airport in Aruba, Hooiberg looks very close, but it is about a 20 …

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AT Section Hike: Walking on the Treetops

Winter Section Hike I just got back from an incredible 2-day backpacking trip in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. We had fantastic weather and took full advantage of it by extending our hike, doubling our planned mileage, and bagging a few …

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Ultralight Snowshoes: Northern Lites

Northern Lites Backcountry Snowshoes

I purchased a pair of ultralight snowshoes this winter designed for mountaineering and winter backpacking that are manufactured by a company called Northern Lites. Weighing just 43 oz per pair, these 30″ snowshoes are 57 oz lighter than 30″ MSR Lightning Ascents …

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Camping Pillows

As a side sleeper, I have a hard time getting to sleep outdoors when my head is not propped up. This is not an problem during the winter when I have enough extra down or synthetic clothing to bunch up as a pillow, …

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Zpacks Ultralight DCF Backpack Cover

Backpack Cover

Over the holidays, my wife gave me an ultralight cuben fiber backpack cover from Zpacks.com. Weighing 1 oz, it replaces a silnylon Equinox pack cover I’ve been using the past few years that weighs 3.2 oz. A backpack cover is an important …

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Marmot Precip Full Zip Pants

Marmot makes two styles of Precip Pants: Full Zip Precip Pants and Regular Precips. The Full Zips are designed for winter hiking, backpacking and climbing. They are sometimes called “New Style” Precips by online retailers because they were introduced after regular Precips (also called …

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