HIKING & BACKPACKING
Hiking is perhaps the most intimate and immersive way to experience nature. When we carry everything we need into the wilderness, we come to appreciate the planet and our own bodies and minds in equal measure.
My goal is to help more people discover the benefits of hiking, overcome barriers to getting started (I promise it’s not that hard), and grow their skills. Whether you’re a seasoned thru hiker or brand new day hiker, I hope you’ll find something useful in this collection of resources inspired and informed by thousands of trail miles.
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Newest HIking Posts
5 Shorter Thru Hikes in the US for Your Backpacking Bucket List
40 Liter Ultralight Hiking Backpacks: Comparison Table
50 Liter Hiking Backpacks: Top Picks and Packing Tips
Black Diamond Carbon Distance Z Hiking Poles: Long-Term Review
Black Diamond Distance Carbon FLZ Hiking Poles: Long-Term Review
Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite (Women’s) Long Term Review
9 Ways to Care For Hiking Gear Before Packing It Away For Winter
Best Gifts For Day Hikers in 2022 (All Budgets)
Backpacking Gift Ideas for All Budgets: 33 Useful Things We Actually Want
Smartwool Merino Sport Ultralight Hoodie Long-Term Review
Hi there, I’m Alissa. Since falling in love with the great outdoors I’ve had the pleasure of walking the Arizona Trail, Colorado Trail, John Muir Trail, Tahoe Rim Trail, and countless shorter amazing trails throughout the US and abroad. I love solitude, big views, and a good lightweight gear setup.
I love spending nights under the stars, but a good day hike is satisfying too. I never hesitate to hike solo, but also enjoy company when my husband wants to join. I don’t always know what I’m doing – I just figure it out as I go! My other favorite ways of exploring are adventure travel and bikepacking. You can read more about me here.
BACKPACKING Basics
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Giving Back
I’m proud to help support these organizations using a portion of revenue earned by this website. I hope to add more over time as this site continues to grow.
