By: Muna wa Wanjiru
Even a crystal-clear wonder spring cannot provide perfect safety and purity as it can contain lots of microorganisms to make one sick: protozoa, bacteria, viruses – you name it! Fortunately, there are very good backpacking water purifier systems that can make even the water from a marsh safe to drink. A backpacking [...]

by Steve Gillman
Why ultralight backpacks? Devotees of ultralight backpacking know you reduce your packweight most by concentrating on the “big three;” backpack, shelter, and sleeping bag. Forget those 6-pound backpacks, 9-pound tents and 5-pound sleeping bags. Reduce that 20 pounds to less than 5, keep the other gear to 5 or 6 pounds, and you [...]

By Steve Gillman
Here’s an ultralight backpacking list, an example of what I typically take on a weekend hike. We’re all different in our needs and skills, though, so please don’t take it as a recomendation. My list, with weights (not including what I wear to start):

GoLite Breeze Backpack: 12 ounces
Western Mountaineering Bag: 17 ounces
Nylon Tarp: [...]

by Steve Gillman
Why learn about medicinal plants? Certainly, backpackers shouldn’t leave the first aid kit home, but it can be useful and interesting to know a few plant medicines too. Whether you are someday in a survival situation, or you just lost your first aid kit and have a terrible headache, wouldn’t it be nice [...]

By Steve Gillman
Okay, do you really want to make all your own backpacking clothes? More power to you, and good luck. After the first hundred tedious hours of sewing I started buying gear again. However, there are SOME backpacking clothes you can make cheaply and quickly. A few examples follow.
Making Your Own Ski Mask
Find any [...]

By Steve Gillman
Ultralight backpackers want to give up weight, not comfort. Sleeping pads are pretty much a necessity for backpacking comfort, but who wants to carry those monstrous old inflatables down the trail? Try some of these lightweight options instead.
You can make four-ounce sleeping pads – then sometimes carry two of them. Start with the [...]

By Steve Gillman
Maybe your favorite backpacking food is a freeze-dried turkey dinner. There really is no “best” backpacking food. There are reasons to bring certain foods, though. Here are ten foods, and the reasons you might want to consider them.

Nuts. This is one of the most calorie-packed foods you can take. That means less weight [...]