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For Beginners

Philip WernerJune 12, 2023
51 718
Backpacking First Aid Kit: Roll Your Own
I carry a lightweight (6 oz) home-grown first aid kit when I go day hiking and backpacking. It contains more…
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Philip WernerFebruary 25, 2023
7 28
What is Book Time?
There’s an expression used in many hiking guides called book time. Also known as Naismith’s rule, it refers to the…
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Philip WernerFebruary 17, 2022
4 17
9 Essential Ultralight Backpacking Skills
Ultralight backpacking requires an extreme form of self-reliance where backpackers compensate for bringing less gear by having more advanced backcountry skills. While many…
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Philip WernerFebruary 14, 2022
26 56
Knee Pain – A Hiker’s Guide
Knee Pain is a common symptom in hikers, runners, skiers, and cyclists. One of the most common types is pain…
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Philip WernerDecember 26, 2021
6 11
Winter Hiking Safety Tips
Winter can be a dangerous time to hike or camp in the backcountry, but with planning and proper preparation, a…
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Philip WernerSeptember 11, 2021
29 120
Backpacking Survival Gear Checklist
Backpacking trips and day hikes don’t always go as planned. The weather can change unexpectedly. You can injure yourself and…
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Philip WernerAugust 3, 2021
1 92
Illustrated Tent Terminology Guide
Do you find the jargon and terminology around camping and backpacking tents confusing? This handy illustrated guide helps demystify tent…
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Philip WernerJuly 28, 2021
7 79
Hiking Above Treeline
Above Treeline. If those words don’t scare you or at least raise your guard, then you should read this post…
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Philip WernerJuly 26, 2020
16 15
Tips for Beginner Backpackers
I get a lot of email from experienced day hikers and car campers who want to try backpacking and are…
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Philip WernerMarch 1, 2019
0 16
Trip Planning Checklist for Day Hikes and Backpacking Trips
Why do people get lost or need to be rescued when they take a hike or journey into a backcountry…
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Philip WernerFebruary 7, 2017
17 60
Hiking Navigation Gear List
I carry a variety of navigation tools and devices on my hikes and backpacking trips because I’ve never found once that’s…
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Philip WernerJanuary 15, 2017
24 28
My Gear List Philosophy
When I started getting into lightweight backpacking, I spent a lot of time staring at my gear list to make…
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Philip WernerJanuary 6, 2017
3 65
GLOP Backpacking Meals – Easy to Make, Easy to Clean Up
Many people like to eat freeze-dried backpacking meals on overnight trips or dehydrate their own food and make freezer-bag dinners…
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Philip WernerOctober 4, 2016
12 21
Shakedown Hikes Aren’t Just for Backpacking Beginners
Shakedown hikes and backpacking trips are the best way you can train yourself to become a confident backpacker or day hiker.…
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