If you head into the wilderness I’m sure you know not to leave trash behind – Pack it in, pack it out, right? But what else do you need to know to protect nature (and avoid being an a-hole)? I’ve been teaching people about how to Leave No Trace when hiking and camping for decades. …
Backpacking
British Columbia has tons of incredible places to go backpacking and multi-day hiking. Unfortunately, most of them require a car to get to. However, it is possible to go backpacking in BC without a car. I’ve got a list of over 35 car-free backpacking trips across BC. You can get to these overnight and multi-day …
Heads up: The Berg Lake Trail is currently closed but will fully reopen on June 26, 2025. It suffered extensive damage due to flooding in late June and early July 2021 and has been partially or completely closed since then while repairs are underway. The Berg Lake Trail in Mount Robson Provincial Park is one …
There is no place I would rather be than on a backpacking trip. I’ve been backpacking for almost 20 years and used to work for a large outdoor retailer, so I know a lot about backpacking gear. In this post, I’ve got my recommendations for the best gifts for backpackers. No matter whether the person …
Have you seen those stocking stuffers for hikers posts online? Full of $300 gadgets or things that are clearly too large to physically fit in a stocking? Me too. They’re ridiculous. A stocking should be full of small, fun, inexpensive stuff. And chocolate. Some of my family is pretty outdoorsy (no surprise there), so I …
British Columbia has hundreds of options for gorgeous backpacking trips. Most are free or require a permit, but for a few special trips, you need to make reservations in advance. If you’re planning ahead of time, these are the BC backpacking reservation dates you need to know for 2025 The most spectacular trips are often …
I’ve made no secret of the fact that I love Tasmania’s wilderness. I spent 6 days exploring it on the Overland Track on my first visit, so when I returned to Tasmania the next year, I pretty much went right from the airport directly to Walls of Jerusalem National Park to go backpacking. Unlike the …
Banff National Park’s Egypt Lake area is gorgeous: a scattering of blue glacial lakes below rugged peaks. In between, you’ll find patches of meadows, majestic alpine larch trees, and well-maintained trails. It’s a moderate hike to the Egypt Lake campground, which makes a great base camp for exploring. It’s a tough backcountry camp to reserve, …
The Yoho Valley in Yoho National Park is a special place. In the Cree language, “Yoho” is an expression of wonder or awe. It pretty much means “wow!” And while it sounds cheesy, that’s what I kept saying when I spent three days backpacking the Yoho Valley Loop including the Iceline Trail. I had been …
I’ve been on countless backpacking trips over the years (I’m a hiking guidebook author), but somehow I still end up with blisters every few years. I know all the tips and tricks to prevent blisters when hiking – but I just need to remember to follow my own advice! Since I’m usually blister-free, here’s how …