There is really no substitute for experience when it comes to winter hiking, backpacking, and camping. You can read about it in books and watch videos, but the best way to learn is to go out with an experienced friend who can …
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The Pie Tin Stove-Stand Snow Melting Hack
When you melt snow for drinking water in winter, your stove, if you use a liquid fuel (white gas) stove or an inverted canister stove, is going to get red hot and start to melt the snow it’s sitting on. Melting a …
Read More »Winter Hiking and Emergency Fires: Think Again
Do you carry firestarters on winter hikes for use in an emergency if you have an accident and become immobilized or need to hunker down in bad weather? I have news for you. Starting a campfire in winter is devilishly difficult when …
Read More »Hyperlite Mountain Gear WayPoint 35 Backpack Review
The Hyperlite Mountain Gear Waypoint 35 is a Dyneema DCF daypack designed for rugged adventure hiking, peak bagging, and backpacking with very low-volume ultralight loads. The Waypoint is a classically designed roll-top backpack with a stretch mesh front pocket, side water bottle …
Read More »Hillsound Trail Crampons Review
Hillsound Trail Crampons are a winter traction aid that’s tailor-made for hiking on inclined trails covered with hard ice or packed snow where you need longer and sharper spikes to penetrate the surface and give you a good grip. They’re compatible with insulated …
Read More »Lightweight Backpacking Double Wall Tent Guide
Lightweight double-wall backpacking tents are making a comeback amongst ultralight backpackers with gear weights that rival their single-walled competitors. Double-wall tents have many advantages over single-walled tents, including: Less internal condensation Less drafty because they don’t have to be wind tunnels to …
Read More »Winter Backpacking on a Budget: Gear Up without Breaking the Bank
Winter backpacking and mountaineering are great sports. But the cost of winter gear is very expensive, upward of $2000 or more. In my experience, it’s best to acquire winter backpacking gear over a period of 2-3 years, so you can spread out …
Read More »Ultralight Backpacking Tent Footprints
Most tent footprints are unnecessarily heavy. But there are some easy ways to reduce the weight of your footprint using ultralight footprint alternatives. Backpackers and campers use tent footprints to protect the bottom of their tents from sharp rocks and sand that can …
Read More »Winter Hiking and Weather Forecasting in the White Mountains
If you plan to hike in the White Mountains in winter, it’s important to pay careful attention to the weather forecast so you can avoid hiking in dangerous conditions. High winds, cold temperatures, or deep snow can compromise your safety but can …
Read More »How to Attach Snowshoes to a Backpack
There are many ways to attach snowshoes to a backpack, although some of them are more energy-efficient and comfortable than others. How you go about doing this depends on the characteristics of your backpack and the places where you can attach or …
Read More »North45 SureFit Anti-Fog Balaclava Review
The North45 SureFit Anti-Fog (Non-Magnetic) Balaclava prevents lens fogging when used with a ski mask or glasses. The balaclava is made with merino wool and is available in multiple sizes. It consists of two attached pieces, a regular balaclava that covers your …
Read More »Winter Hiking Boots FAQ
There are three kinds of winter boots: insulated winter hiking boots, mountaineering boots, and pac boots. Which kind of winter hiking boot is right for you? Here’s a detailed guide that explains the differences between these so you can pick the right …
Read More »REI Activator 3.0 Softshell Pants Review
REI’s Activator 3.0 Soft-Shell Pants, available for both men and women, are soft-shell pants for winter hiking, snowshoeing, and skiing. They’re water-resistant and highly breathable to prevent sweat build-up, with articulated knees and a gusseted crotch for freedom of movement. They’re rated …
Read More »Winter Pant Layering for Hikers Who Sweat
One of the biggest challenges faced by winter hikers is figuring out a clothing layering system that keeps them warm and dry across a wide variety of temperatures, wind chills, and exertion levels. It takes a lot of experimentation to dial in …
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