Backpacking Beyond

06/13/2026

If you've been on one of my trips, you've heard me say it:

Find your local ski hill and train there.

Up. Down. Repeat.

Everyone worries about the uphill, but it's the downhill that really tests your legs.

Train both, and trail days get a whole lot more enjoyable.
Love seeing Buck Hill open summer hiking trails.

One lap is about 1 mile with 310' of gain, so 10 laps gets you roughly 10 miles and 3,100' of climbing (and descending).

Who's adding hill repeats to their training plan? 🥾⛰️

Hiking Trails - Buck Hill

Buck Hill Hiking Trails offers a serene 1-mile loop that’s anything but ordinary. With 310 feet of elevation gain, this moderate, mixed-surface trails winds through wooded hillsides and open ridge lines.

05/19/2026

💧Hydration starts before the hike.💧

One of the biggest mistakes new backpackers make is trying to “catch up” on hydration the day before or the morning of the trip. Your body does much better when you slowly start increasing your water intake a few days before we hit the trail.

Don’t overdo it — more water isn’t always better. Just make a conscious effort to sip throughout the day and stay consistently hydrated leading up to Backpacking 101.

A few simple tips:

Drink water regularly throughout the day
Pay attention to thirst, headaches, and dark urine
Add electrolytes occasionally if you’ve been sweating a lot
Limit the “I’ll hydrate later” mindset 😅

Showing up already hydrated will help with:

Less fatigue
Better recovery
Fewer headaches
Better energy on the trail

And see the hose in this picture? This is the solution to saying hydrated on trail.

Happy hydrating!!! 🥾💧

05/14/2026

We are so looking forward to another epic trip to Yosemite!

Trip Details Trip Type: 5-Day Guided Backpacking Trip Trail Section: Glacier Point/Little Yosemite Valley/Sunrise Lakes/Clouds Rest/Happy Isle Highlights: We kick things off at Glacier Point, diving into panoramic views before […]

05/08/2026

WATER CROSSINGS are one of those backpacking skills that people don’t think about until they’re standing in cold, moving water wondering why they switched into flimsy camp shoes. 😅

For most crossings, we actually recommend keeping your trail runners on.

Your hiking shoes give you way more stability, grip, and foot protection on slippery rocks and uneven river bottoms.

Crocs, sandals, and lightweight camp shoes can slide around, catch current, or leave your feet unprotected.

Yes… your shoes will get wet. That’s okay. Trail runners are designed for that and will dry out way faster than boots anyway.💦

A few tips:

• Loosen your pack hip belt before crossing

• Use trekking poles for balance

• Face slightly upstream and take slow, deliberate steps

• Never underestimate moving water

Staying upright is way more important than keeping your socks dry. 🌊🥾

04/22/2026

Okay… this one’s not your average trip.

Isle Royale 2027.

You don’t just drive to the trailhead—you take a ferry or seaplane to get there.

Once you’re out there… there’s no quick exit—just trail, water, and real wilderness.

Moose sightings, rugged shoreline, and camping out along Lake Superior.

I’m heading out this summer to scout it for a potential Backpacking Beyond trip next year.

This is a step up in adventure—and totally doable with the right prep.

Even a little curious? 👀
Drop a ‘ME’ in the comments.”

03/20/2026

Spring is here… and you know what that means 👀🥾

Time to drag your backpacking gear out of hibernation and make sure it’s not about to betray you 6 miles from the trailhead.

Before you hit the backcountry, do yourself a favor and TEST YOUR GEAR.

Here’s what I’m checking every single season:

Air mattress
Blow it up and let it sit overnight. You’re looking for major loss of air, not minor softening.

Water filter + dirty water bag
Non-negotiable. Run water through it. Make sure it flows well and check for leaks or cracks.

Stove
Fire it up. Make sure it lights easily and stays consistent. Don’t assume. Test it.

Headlamp
Turn it on, check brightness, and if it’s rechargeable make sure it actually holds a charge. If it takes batteries, swap in fresh ones.

Bonus checks if you want to feel extra dialed:
Tent (no surprise broken poles or missing stakes)
Pack fit (because somehow it always changes??)

Nothing kills a trip faster than gear failure you could’ve caught in your driveway.

Spring prep = confidence on trail
Confidence on trail = way more fun out there

Now go shake the dust off and get outside ⛰️🔥

03/18/2026

Not quite ready for a full backpacking trip? 🥾

👉Start here.

Backpacking 101 is a car-camping weekend built to teach you the skills and confidence first.

Spots are limited—get the details and sign up here: https://share.google/yXNJOGW4mXpqAfWai

03/11/2026

📣Only two spots left on our Yosemite Backcountry Adventure – July 9–13.📣

Five days in Yosemite’s high country backpacking past granite domes, alpine lakes, and huge Sierra views.

We’ll travel sections of the John Muir Trail, climb Clouds Rest, and spend our nights in the backcountry far from the crowds.

This is a fully guided trip for hikers ready to experience Yosemite beyond the day-hike trails.

If Yosemite has been on your list, this is your chance.

Details + registration: link in comments.

03/08/2026

Hydration bladders sound great… until you actually try to backpack with one.

If one pops in your pack, it can soak all your gear and leave you without a way to carry water.

They’re difficult to get in and out of your backpack once your pack is fully loaded, and they take up valuable space inside your pack.

That’s why I use a Smartwater bottle with a hydration hose instead.

You can see exactly how much water you have left, it’s easy to refill on trail, and the bottles can be reused over and over again.

In this video I show you exactly how to make the hose system.

Simple setup that works really well for backpacking. 💧🥾

03/02/2026

You don’t need to start with a backcountry permit.

You start with basecamp.

Backpacking 101 is open.

We’ll set up camp at Cascade River State Park. Shuttle to the Superior Hiking Trail. Hike 5 miles back to camp.

And spend the day talking through the systems that make or break a backcountry trip:

🥾 Layering that actually regulates
🥾 Pack weight + load carry strategy
🥾 Food systems + trail fueling 🥾 Backcountry cooking setups 🥾 Navigation + staying found
🥾 Trail etiquette + Leave No Trace
🥾 Safety mindset
🥾 Sleep systems that don’t suck

Friday dinner at camp. Saturday guided miles. Saturday night bonfire + real talk.

Fourteen spots. Small group. No fluff.

If you want to feel trail-ready before committing to a full send — This is your bridge.

Drop a 🥾 or grab your spot: https://share.google/KpfNJ2lxm7NfKVnEb