Andrew Skurka is a long-distance backpacker, wilderness guide, and outdoor educator.  He joins the podcast to discuss the early days of thru-hiking, high routes, becoming a guide, and advice for new backpackers.

Ryan Lilly from Old Town Canoes joins the podcast to give an introduction to canoe camping. We cover everything from how to choose a canoe, canoe materials, safety, planning, and how he personally packs his canoe for camping trips.

Shelter size is a big deal for backpack hunters. Go too small and waiting out a storm for a few days will drive you crazy, but go too big and you might not find a suitable place to pitch it. Choosing the right sized shelter for your hunt will impact your overall comfort and capability so let’s get it sorted out!

We’ve all seen those pictures floating around the internet of toes and heels blistered so bad it turns your stomach inside out. Blisters happen to the best of us, but they are preventable and treatable if you know what you’re doing. There’s no perfect solution to blister prevention because each boot, foot, and skin type is different. It’s an exercise in finding the right combination of treatment and prevention to make your life on the mountain enjoyable for your feet.

There are two main types of backpack hunting camps; a base camp where you return to each evening and a mobile (or spike) camp which requires you to pack up each morning and make camp each night. It’s up to you as the hunter to determine which camp is best suited for your situation and to plan your gear accordingly.

Learn how to use a successful military planning framework to enhance your backpacking plans to ensure success, enjoyment, and safety.

You’ve probably prepared your gear, your meals, your weapon of choice, and your body for your upcoming backpack hunt, but are you prepared for the trash you’re going to create while you’re out there? All those meals and snacks come with a wrapper of some sort so have you thought about what you’re going to do once you’re done with them?

We all need water. It’s the one thing that you’ll want after a long climb up a rugged landscape and it’s the one thing that can become scarce if not managed properly. It’s important to not only know where you’re going to get your water during your hunt but also how you’re going to manage it and store it once you have it. It’s not a complicated process, but it’s one worth thinking through so you can make sure you have enough available for the duration of your hunt.

If you’re going backpack hunting, you’re going to filter water at some point during your hunt. Considering that water weighs in at around 2 lbs per liter and you not only need water to drink, but water to cook with, it can add up very quickly so while you could carry all the water you need for your trip in one shot, it’s not recommended. Extra water also takes up valuable space in a pack so the more water you can filter in the backcountry, the less you have to carry with you on your back, and the more miles you can put in finding that animal of a lifetime. There are a number of different water filters on the market and a few non-filtering methods that create clean drinking water which we’ll cover in this article.

Choosing the right pack size for your backpack hunt is has a direct impact on your overall comfort, capability, and functionality in the backcountry. Choose a pack that’s too small and you’ll be struggling to find space for what you need for your hunt and forced to strap delicate items to the outside where they’ll risk damage. Choose too large of a pack and you’ll end up overpacking, taking more than you need, and ultimately weighing yourself down without gaining much for it.

Both down and synthetic insulations have come a long way in the last few years. They’ve improved in quality, overall weight, performance, and even affordability. Choosing which is right for you and your situation depends on a number of variables such as weather conditions, expected temperatures, hunting style, and even personal preference. Choose the right insulation type and you’ll find yourself willing to tough out those early mornings behind the glass. Choosing the wrong insulation, however, may result in an inability to effectively stay warm throughout your hunt. Staying warm on your hunt isn’t just a creature's comfort, it could be the difference between staying in the field to punch a tag or going home early.

Bailey Bremner is a long distance hiker who has extensive experience backpacking with dogs. On this episode, we dive into common mistakes, how to manage your dog on the trail, how to approach training, and more.

Moose Mutlow is a member of the Yosemite Search and Rescue, the Senior Projects Director for planning, design, and construction of the National Environmental Science Center at Naturebridge in Yosemite National Park, and has spent a lifetime learning and teaching outdoor skills. He joins the podcast to discuss the importance of not shaming people who make mistakes in the outdoors, why storytelling is so important, and to encourage people to find that adventure they’re looking for.

Bailey Bremner has hiked thousands of miles with her dogs and knows a thing or two about how to make sure both you and your dog have a safe and enjoyable trip. In this article, Bailey answers the most frequently asked questions about how to backpack with a dog.

I struggled for years regulating my body temperature on hikes with fleece mid-layers. I was always too sweaty, too hot, or too cold until I found Merino wool and have since swapped all my layers out for this amazing material.

Blisters can ruin a backpacking trip. At best they can be painful, at worst they can get infected and cause larger issues. There’s a lot you can do to prevent and mitigate blisters, so in this article, we’re going to cover a few tips and tricks to do just that!

When it comes to backpacking, less isn't more, it's less. The less gear you haul around, the more comfortable you'll be and the less you have to worry about keeping track of everything. You'll also increase your enjoyment and performance!

The Best Underwear for Backpacking: Is there such a thing? I think so, and I've hiked a lot of miles to find out. Never underestimate the power of a pair of underwear that won't stink, bunch up, or cause chafing.

Hiking is an incredible way to clear your mind, connect with nature, travel the world and stay fit. If you hit the trails regularly, you’ve probably imagined your dream hike once or twice. But as any seasoned hiker knows, it takes a lot of preparation and time to prepare for the ultimate backpacking excursion.

Hiking big miles is all about following a process. Once I figured out what that process was, it made my life on the trail so much easier. For those struggling to hike big miles, this episode is for you!