Take your adventure planning to the next level by learning to create routes like the pros. Join our Gaia GPS expert as he shows you step by step how to build a multi-day hiking route, save your plan, and share it with a friend for offline use.
Tag:
backpacking
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Knowing how to read a topographic map is the foundation to any backcountry adventure. Through the use of contour lines, topo maps bring a 3-dimensional element to a 2-dimensional paper map, allowing you to visualize the rise and fall of the land and “see” the depths of canyons, the location of boggy meadows, and the height and shape of mountain
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Special Out and Back co-host The Real Hiking Viking joins Shanty to chat with hiking legend Zach “Badger” Davis. Badger shares how meditation and mental preparation helped him complete thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail despite having zero backpacking experience. He shares how that thru-hike changed his life, leading him to write Appalachian Trials and found The Trek. Plus, Viking and Badger share wild stories from their joint PCT thru-hike.
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Wilderness ranger Mary Cochenour conquered her fear of solo backpacking, only to discover she was not alone after all. She was being stalked! Tune into the Out and Back podcast to hear Mary recount this thrilling tale. Mary reveals how this sketchy incident inspired her to keep backpacking solo. And she shares insight on how and why to face your fears.
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Lighten your backpack with these top tips from ultralight backpacker and gear reviewer Adventure Alan. Read more about how he uses the “free three” technique to reduce his pack weight without spending a dime on expensive gear.
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The longest thru-hike in the US is currently being created and tested. Join American Perimeter Trail mastermind Rue McKenrick from a town stop in western Michigan on this episode of the Out and Back Podcast. McKenrick shares what inspired this 12,000-mile project, his vision for the trail, and his crazy encounters along the way.
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Get the inside scoop on Justin “Trauma” Lichter’s ground-breaking thru-hike adventures on Out and Back this week. Trauma delves into getting stalked by lions in Africa, hiking 2,000 miles across the Himalayas, and thru-hiking the PCT in winter. He shares his trove of knowledge about international resupply logistics, winter navigation, and finding what it takes to push your own limits.
Fidgit and Neon have spent the past five years traveling backpacking, biking, and paddling their way across South and Central America, Mexico, and the United States on a non-motorized tour. In this episode of the the Out and Back podcast, get the inside scoop on their trip, Her Odyssey. Learn how they dreamt up the trip, how to navigate foreign cultures, and tips for staying safe while backpacking abroad. They also share heart-warming stories about locals they’ve met along the way and how their contrasting personalities serve their expedition mission in unique ways.
The best ultralight backcountry food can be made right in your kitchen with dried ingredients bought from the local grocery store. Tune into our conversation with Aaron Owens Mayhew, a registered dietitian who founded Backcountry Foodie, a backpacking meal planning service. Owens Mayhew explains that the old rule of packing two pounds of food per day can be broken with careful and creative menu planning. Plus you won’t want to miss her break-down of macros, enlightening us to the perfect ratio of carbs, fats, and protein to carry us through those long days on the trail.
If you’ve ever wondered why your pack felt so heavy, it might be time to re-examine what you’ve stuffed in it. In this deep dive, our in-house expert provides a detailed gear list with photos and walks you through how to plan your multi-day backpacking trip from scratch. Review how to choose a location, understand the history of your destination, plan your route, manage hazards, and find resources for planning food and gear.