/r/WildernessBackpacking
A subreddit dedicated to backpacking in the wild places on earth - where people are few, cell signal is nil, and Mother Nature still reigns. Backpacking defined as multi-day trips into the wild, unpopulated, areas of the world.
What is Wilderness Backpacking?
Treat others as you would like to be treated. We try to foster a helpful, welcoming, and friendly atmosphere in this sub- please do your best to contribute to this end. TL;DR: Don't be a jerk.
No advertising or promotional posts please. If you find a new or little-known website that has services/products/resources for backpackers, feel free to share it if it hasn't been posted previously (use the search function), but do not post give-aways, contests, raffles, or advertise for a specific company, website or product. These posts will be removed.
After Posting A Photo: Comment on the post with a trip report (check rule page for full description) https://www.reddit.com/r/WildernessBackpacking/about/rules/
GEAR - Discussions/Questions/Links about backpacking gear
TRAIL - Discussions/Questions about trails
PICS - Pictures of your backpacking adventures
DIY - Discussions/Questions/Links about making your own backpacking related things
HOWTO - Instructionals, lessons, How-Tos on backpacking related topics
ADVICE - Questions/Discussions about tips/tricks/advice on various backpacking topics
SITES - Backpacking related websites
DISCUSSION - General discussion about backpacking
META - Discussions about this sub
/r/TrailMeals <- Discuss and share what to eat on the trail
/r/Backpacking <- For travel backpackers
/r/Outdoors <- Things related to outdoor experiences in general
/r/BackcountryKitchen <- For camp-cooking goodness
/r/CampingandHiking <- For multiday camping/hiking trips
/r/Camping <-More about camping and less about long hikes and higher-performance equipment
/r/Hiking <-All things hiking
/r/remoteplaces <- an awesome sub full of cool, distant places!
/r/MYOG <- Make your own gear! Go here for awesome DIY gear builds and advice
/r/Hammocks <- All things Hammock
/r/HammockCamping <- Discussions about camping with Hammocks
/r/Bushcraft <- All things Bushcraft
/r/Ultralight <- For our ultralight brethren
/r/CampingGear <- For Camping-Gear Heads
/r/UrbanSurvivalism <- DIY, improvisation, train hitching, urban exploration, hobo, TEOTWAWKI, post collapse, and surivalist posts are all welcome here
/r/searchandrescue <-A subreddit for former, current, or prospective members of any Search and Rescue organization, paid or volunteer.
/r/AdvancedBackpacking <- The hardcore technical side of backpacking
/r/Travel <- A community about going places.
/r/WildernessBackpacking
Hi everyone -
I’m currently planning a ~weeklong backpacking trip out west with my cousin. We’ve mostly backpacked in WV & the northeast so excited to see more!
Where should we go? Want to ask for ideas to research further. Love the look of Maroon Bells-Snowmass type area… but not sure if there are more remote areas. Know I might need to get permit & have canisters.
Appreciate any ideas you have. Thank you
Not sure if this is the right sub but my dad often works in the mountains and in the winter it gets to well below 15 degrees. He complains that his hands bother him the most.
I was hoping to find some good gloves to keep him warm. He uses his hands a lot so he would need mobility. Price is not an issue. Any tips would be appreciated. Thank you guys.
Squeezed out 1 last trip before the year ends! Had the place all to myself except when i got back to my car, there was a couple getting ready to hike in.
Sometimes i ask myself why i go on these solo adventures… then i ask again would i rather be at home? Answers easy. Id rather be outside🤝
Slowly getting into backpacking and am curious to find if a company makes a kit that has all the essentials outfitted to the backpack? Mainly because I see so many different recommendations but I wonder if a company has made this for a novice backpacker or just for efficiency and utility of using materials that all fit purposefully when breaking camp? Looking for a pack good for up to 3 days outdoors in the Midwest.
Hi all, looking for any suggestions for a ~5 day backpacking trip around mid-April this year?? We're based in NYC and looking to anywhere in the US or could be open to international (last April we did a portion of the Camino Frances!). Obviously there may be some snow in April but looking to avoid any real deep snow hiking. Thanks!!
Hey people looking for some advice or a buddy to go backpacking with,I love going out backpacking and camping but I don’t have many friends that share the same interests. The last 2 trips I did I had a buddy of mine come with me and it slowed me down and was just filled with non stop complaining. Solos cool but I prefer to be with someone to keep company and talk to. Any advice where to find someone to drag along with me?
Hi everyone! I recently moved to DC, and am looking for a good destination for a winter backpacking trip anywhere from 3 days to a week.
I’m open to driving a good bit, and have been looking mostly at Shenandoah and Dolly Sods. I’m hoping for something that is pretty in the winter but not too intense—I’ll be bringing a friend who doesn’t have a ton of experience.
I personally don’t have much winter experience, but I’ve backpacked a lot in October / November in the White Mountains which gets cold. If there’s anything else I should know feel free to chime in!
EDIT: Thanks all for the advice so far. To clarify, she is not a novice and has backpacked before, but definitely doesn’t have a lot of experience. It sounds like Dolly Sods is too aggressive to start, and I would like something more casual to get familiar with the quirks of winter backpacking. Anything that people think fits that well?
I am having trouble choosing between the garmin gpsmap 79 and the 65. Both are the normal version without the ocean maps. If any current owners or more informed individuals could give me some advice, I would greatly appreciate it. Thanks!
Planning a 4 day and 3 night trip to the High Peaks and wanted to see others opinions on what I should do for sleep, and the hammock would only be about an extra half pound compared to my cowboy camping system
What is D2D?
Direct-to-device (D2D) communication allows your smartphone to connect directly to low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellites, bypassing the need for ground-based cell towers. This innovation promises text, voice, and data connectivity in remote areas where traditional networks fail.
However, the idea of widespread connectivity in the backcountry is a topic of debate. Many backpackers cherish the solitude and disconnection that wilderness offers, viewing the absence of a signal as an essential part of the experience. They fear that constant connectivity could dilute the sense of adventure and personal challenge that comes with being off-grid.
On the other hand, many backpackers fear the lack of connectivity, and that staying connected in the backcountry is crucial for safety. For them, being able to send a text, call for help, or access critical information like weather updates can be life-saving, especially in remote areas where traditional cell coverage is unavailable.
Key Players in the D2D "Gold Rush"
Several companies are racing to define the future of D2D connectivity, each with unique approaches and milestones:
The Likely Winners of the D2D Revolution
The D2D market is shaping up to be led by AST SpaceMobile, SpaceX, and Apple/Globalstar. AST is poised to deliver true broadband with its proven BlueWalker 3 satellite and imminent beta testing of next-gen satellites. SpaceX’s Starlink, though starting with text-only D2D, has unmatched infrastructure and potential for growth. Meanwhile, Apple and Globalstar’s established emergency SOS service positions them well for mainstream adoption. Together, these companies are set to revolutionize connectivity in the backcountry, for better or for worse.
What do you think about the rise of D2D technology? Is it an exciting innovation, or does it risk taking the solitude out of wilderness exploration?
Feeling stupid because I bought a second hand $200 sleeping bag. It’s the Lamina -29C Mountain Hardwear Regular Sized Sleeping bag.
I piqued an interest in backpacking and bought a backpack that fits great, got an insulated pad because i wanted to backpack in the colder seasons, until i went to a store called Atomosphere the other day and the guy told me this sleeping bag is wayyy too heavy and i should be getting a down filled sleeping bag. I looked at this Marmot one that costs $300 that weigh 3.9 pounds at -18c. There aren’t any other ones that are -29C that are affordable and light. Is 5lbs really too heavy?
Hey all,
I won't linger too long. My post history has some details but here's the shakedown. I have dual, concurrent, chronic calf strains. It's not getting better, it's not going to get better.
I'm trying to accept this new paradigm but I don't want to sacrifice my relationship to the outdoors entirely. Hiking was was my favorite place, my profoundest sanctuary and my deepest joy.
I'm looking for any and all suggestions on how I can tend and water this love for the natural world. I know nothing will replicate the feeling entirely - but I can't sit around and rot anymore waiting for a day that isn't coming.
Thank you. Much love.
Hi all.
Looking for a 5-9 day trail option for March 2025.
I’ll be travelling in Europe, but need a few days outside of the Schengen Zone in early-mid March.
Since I’m flying, open to lots of options, though preference to stay closer to Europe if possible.
Hello, any recommendations for a one nighter in Death Valley np? Will be on pretty tight schedule so don’t think I’ll have time for the classic cottonwood-marble canyon loop. I’m thinking roughly 8-20 miles, maybe shorter for the right scenery. Panamint Dunes sounds neat but is ultra short, Mosaic canyon sounds cool too.
For those who have done the Cottonwood-Marble Canyon loop, would doing an out and back overnighter to the end of marble canyon be pleasant rather than the loop? Personally am most interested in Marble Canyon itself and have very limited time in the park but want to get a quick overnight in the backcountry squeezed in. are there better options for a short overnighter?
My current freestanding tent is pretty tired (and also pretty heavy) so I think pretty regularly about trading in for a newer model. Obviously the new Durston caught my eye but when I ran the numbers, it's hardly any smaller than my existing tent, which I feel is "bigger than I need."
Existing tent: Half Dome 2+, 92"L x 56"W
Durston Dome: 88"L x 56"W
Nemo Osmo 1: 88"L x 35"W
Hubba Hubba 1: 88"L x 31"W
*on all these numbers as the poles are usually bigger than the floor but I did the best I could
I'm kind of surprised at how "fat" the durston seems to be. I had imagined that I could get away with a tent much smaller than the half dome, but it seems like realistically length is fixed and the only real choice is around floor width and vestibule size/shape. Am I overthinking the need for a 1P tent and the benefit of a smaller tent footprint when picking campsites? Opinions welcome.
Anyone have strong opinions for or against smart watches for back country trips? I mostly want to track time and elevation, but want one with gps so my wife can track me.
Ive only ever had an Apple Watch but the battery doesn’t last. Garmin seems to check all of the boxes, but a friend swears by his coros vertix. I’m leaning toward garmin but not sure which model to choose. Any recommendations?
Hi, I'm looking for a place to backpack for 2-3 nights. This is only if I am able to secure permits. I'm considering these options:
Which one would you recommend? I can only pick one. Also, where are the permits less competitive?
Hi,
I understand base layers are supposed to wick moisture away from your skin and thus be tight-fitting, but I’m looking for a loose-fitting, merino wool long sleeve/pant layer to sleep in. All I’m finding are base layers that fit like leggings. Does anyone have any recommendations?
I'm looking for 3-4 day trips I can do in snow shoes. I have zero avalanche safety experience. I've seen a lot of people here recommend the badger pass ski area in Yosemite, which is definitely on my list now. I've also seen recs for lake aloha which looks awesome, but it's my understanding that there's avalanche danger there. I have experience with long backpacking trips in below freezing temps, but not with much snow on the ground. Maybe something around Tahoe, lassen, or Shasta? Anywhere with beautiful winter scenery and little to no avalanche concern. Thanks!