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.

• 5-7 nights
• 8-12 miles a day
• going in April or May
• prefer areas where we may be able to have a campfire
• might bring a doggo
• happy to go off the beaten path to see cool stuff

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:

• SpaceX / Starlink: Starlink is known for its broadband internet delivered through bulky ground-based terminals, ideal for remote locations but impractical for backpackers. Recently, however, Starlink received FCC approval for a text-only D2D service that connects directly to cell phones. While this initial service won’t provide full broadband, it marks an important step toward more accessible satellite-based communication.
• AST SpaceMobile: ASTS is the only company focused on delivering true broadband internet directly to standard smartphones. Their BlueWalker 3 satellite has already proven this technology, successfully demonstrating 4G and 5G connectivity for unmodified smartphones earlier this year. Now, with the recent launch of five next-generation satellites, AST is preparing to start a beta test with 2,000 unmodified smartphones, using these new satellites to deliver even better performance. Partnerships with AT&T, Verizon, and Vodafone position AST as the frontrunner in bringing broadband D2D to the mainstream.
• Apple / Globalstar: Apple’s iPhone emergency SOS feature, powered by Globalstar satellites, offers text-based help in critical situations. While limited to emergencies, this collaboration has introduced satellite connectivity to mainstream consumers. Globalstar’s established satellite network and Apple’s market dominance make this partnership one to watch as D2D evolves.
• Viasat: Known for satellite internet, Viasat could play a larger role in D2D as demand grows. However, its focus remains on broadband rather than direct smartphone communication.
• Lynk Global: Lynk has enabled basic text messaging from existing phones using satellites. Their focus on emergency and low-data solutions could make satellite connectivity affordable and widely accessible.
• Amazon / Project Kuiper: Although still in development, Amazon’s Kuiper project could rival Starlink with its planned global satellite network. Future integration with smartphones remains a possibility.
• Iridium: With decades of experience, Iridium provides global coverage for specialized devices. A recent partnership with Qualcomm allows two-way messaging for smartphones, giving Iridium a foothold in the D2D market.

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.

https://preview.redd.it/jkbmb2k7h23e1.jpg?width=2550&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=1011385553c4b52e51085ba63943905d4a1e21b0

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:

1. Hoh rainforest in June (Olympic)
2. Enchanted Valley in June (Olympic)
3. Somewhere in Glacier National Park in July
4. Somewhere in the Sawtooths in July or August
5. Cirque of the Towers in September

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!