Second only to gear, food is the most difficult thing for backpackers to get right. Follow these recommendations on amounts, types, and overnight storage to avoid learning the hard way. My experience ...

Thanks to today’s lightweight equipment, a backpack loaded with all your weekend supplies should weigh less than 35 pounds. Rent a tent. Many outfitters rent shelter, packs and other gear. It cuts ...

Backpacking strips things back to basics. You carry what you need, leave what you don't, and figure out the rest as you go. Most backpackers get good at packing light, but when it comes to digital ...

Midstaters looking to get in touch with their wild side this summer and go backpacking are in luck. The midstate boasts an abundance of trails and parks. We caught up with Environ­mental Education ...

Picture yourself pitching a tent beside an alpine lake. Settling in for the night amid an old growth forest. Watching the sun set from your sleeping bag, miles from the closest trailhead. You hiked in ...

IT WAS ONE of those days I waited for all winter. There was not a cloud in the sky or a breeze in the air. It was way too nice to stay at home and do the chores. It was time to get ready for that ...

The first time I took my sister backpacking, I let her mostly pack for herself. I gave her some tips and answered questions, but mostly let her succeed or fail on her own. For the most part, she did ...

REI will take the mystery out of Backpacking with an overview of planning, preparation and gear. Learn how to choose a pack, select proper clothing and footwear. Plus, we'll give you important notes ...