The Brooks Range offers arguably the greatest wilderness trekking in North America. But it has no trails or bridges; it’s the subject of no guidebooks and few online trip reports; it’s crossed by only one road; and it’s home to a gazillion tussocks and mosquitoes — So how do you … | Continue reading
Alaska is home to arguably the best backpacking in North America and planning a trip there requires careful consideration of factors that are unique to that location. Join Andrew and I on April 9 for a discussion on how to plan a backpacking trip to places such as the Brooks Rang … | Continue reading
Last night Andrew moderated a discussion between guide Kat Weyland and myself about all the ways that backpacking is inherently different for women than it is for men. Topics we discussed included: Additional Resources Watch the event: The post Video Tutorial: 8 reasons backpacki … | Continue reading
Our first guided trips of the season in southern Utah start in about four weeks, wahoo! We still a limited number of open spots on 5-, 7-, and 11-day backpacking trips and technical canyoneering courses. All remaining spots are now available at 30 percent off full price. To apply … | Continue reading
Footwear is consistently the most discussed topic among the clients on our guided trips in southern Utah during the planning phases. It comes up in our online discussion board, during gear list reviews, and on our virtual group calls. Why? I think it’s due to: This post should be … | Continue reading
Join Kat Weyland and I on March 26 for a discussion, moderated by Andrew, about considerations for female backpackers that are different than those for males. Kat is based in West Virginia and has worked in outdoor education since 2004. She has thru-hiked the Appalachian and the … | Continue reading
Last night Andrew and I hosted a 55-minute tutorial on trip planning. If you joined us, thank you. If you didn’t, you can watch the replay below. Please join us for our next discussion at the end of the month about the ways in which backpacking is fundamentally different for wome … | Continue reading
For about twenty years and almost exclusively I have used Aquamira ($15) to purify backcountry water sources. And it’s been the only purification method used by the guided trip program that I started in 2011 and that has over 1,000 alumni. Last month two of these alumni emailed m … | Continue reading
Join Andrew and I on March 6 for another tutorial livestream. The focus of this conversation is a deep dive on how to plan a backpacking trip. Join us on March 6 at 6:00pm MT here. Topic covered will include: Andrew draws from experience planning lengthy expeditions like the: And … | Continue reading
Yesterday, Andrew and I hosted a livestream focused on the foundations of backpacking in the desert. Topics we discussed included: In terms of the desert experience we’re drawing upon, here are the highlights: Andrew Katie Watch the event: The post Tutorial: Gear and Skills for D … | Continue reading
Join Andrew and I on February 6 for another Ask Us Anything livestream. The focus of this conversation is desert travel and backpacking. Join us on February 6 at 6:00pm MT here. Topic covered will include: In terms of the desert experience we’ll be drawing upon, here are the high … | Continue reading
Last week an experienced thru-hiker, 37-year old Christopher Roma, died tragically of exposure in the White Mountains. My condolences are with his parents, family, and friends. My father and several alumni shared this news with me. I had never met Christopher, but in at least a f … | Continue reading
In 2022 we launched a needs-based scholarship program to create more opportunities for individuals whose outdoor access has been hindered by limited financial resources, lack of generational or communal outdoor knowledge, or discrimination. Beginning today, January 16, we’re acce … | Continue reading
Yesterday, Andrew and I hosted our first Ask Us Anything event of 2024. The topic was winter backpacking and our special guest was Montana-based guide, Richard Forbes. Richard has guided more than 220 days across a wide range of mountain sports including rock climbing, mountain b … | Continue reading
On Thursday, January 4, Andrew and I will be joined by guide Richard Forbes for another Ask Us Anything event. The focus of this conversation is how to safely backpack in winter. Join us on January 4 at 6:00pm MT here. Richard has guided more than 220 days across a wide range of … | Continue reading