/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
My brothers and I are planning on doing a backpacking trip this summer. However, one of them can't get time off after July 7th. I figured the last week of June would work best. If it goes into July that's fine. We all live in Kansas/Nebraska area. They left the planning up to me, since this whole thing was my idea. I was thinking about going to Colorado just because it is the closest area with mountains. But I don't have any clue where to hike in that time frame. I usually don't go until August. We would be willing to travel further but I don't know how far everyone is willing to go. if anyone has any suggestions, please share your thoughts. Thanks.
Been looking for a backpack and I’m pretty set on the ULA circuit , I’d appreciate any other recommendations before pulling the trigger on a $300 backpack. Plan to use for a trip to the Cascades and Appalachia trail this year
I'm trying to figure out a new sleep system. I was thinking about an exped dura 5r with an r value of 4.8.
That sounds like it will work for most situations, but in extreme cases, could I put my nemo switchback (with an r value of 2) under the exped for a combined r value of 6.8?
Howdy everybody. Right now Im looking for a simple backpack. Trying to search online and look at forums, too many paid adds and bs results thatre all ads with key parts of my searchwords missing. Getting POd. Something waterproof/resistant, decent sized but not massive. Durable. Some sort of waist straps or framing to make it easier on the back and hips. Unfortunately I dont have the biggest budget, shooting for ~120$ max. Thanks for your time in advance, I hope everyones doing okay.
I've been finding myself using paper maps very little these days. Instead, I mostly use my phone, where I can directly measure bearings. Unfortunately, for the typical baseplate compass, it is very cumbersome and error-prone to take a bearing.
I am a big fan of my Suunto MC-2 G, which has the most responsive and stable needle of any compass I've ever used. The downside is that it is not possible to take direct bearings without rotating the bezel (which also has too much play, not great).
I'd mainly need the compass to take bearings, then to follow a preset direction (mainly at night or in the forest, when I can't take a bearing), and rarely to actually work with the map, the way a baseplate compass is intended to be used.
This gives me the feeling that a baseplate compass with a rotating bezel isn't the right compass, and it would be better to have something like a baseplate transit, which can be read directly, with an additional rotating bezel and a direction line for map work. Unfortunately I haven't found any compass that could be used this way.
Is there any compass (with adjustable declination) that is good for directly taking bearings, but also acceptable for map work? I have looked at a few compasses, but none really fit the bill:
Brunton Geo Lite Transit looks like an awesome compass
Sighting compasses, such as the KB-20
Lensatc Compasses, e.g. Cammenga
Suunto Matchbox Compass MB-6
There is an obscure and unavailable compass, the K&R Alpin Pro, https://compassmuseum.com/images/hand3/kr_alpin_pro.jpg, which looks like a great modern compass. It has an adjustable declination and can be directly read, but it also has a rotatable bezel for orienting along a direction.
Did I miss any adjustable compass that is both good for sighting and for map work?
Looking for recommendations on a good set of walkie talkies. I’m exploring state land and need a walkie talkie that can get to my wife. The areas I’ll be exploring are varying terrains with tree cover, valleys, and mountains. I need something in the middle ground of price and functionality. Thank you in advance.
I’m looking for someone experienced who may be interested in filling an extra spot I have. It’s paid for already, the person who was supposed to go got a stress fracture last week.
I’m looking for someone who can support themselves and has at least some experience in the canyon, otherwise I don’t mind going alone.
Thanks, dm me for any details!
Hello! first time post here.
Looking to do the Thousand Island loop via High Trail. I was able to score some permits for the High Trail in June, starting at Agnew Meadows near Devils Postpile in Mammoth. It looks like (for now), that access to Agnew is only on the weekends.
So, my question is, what if i finish back at Agnew Meadows during the week when it’s “closed”? Since the shuttles aren’t running, will i have to walk back to the Mammoth Adventure Center?
thanks!
My fiancée and I are getting married 5/17 and want to do 50-70 miles for a little honeymoon trip. After hiking the Foothills Trail last year (amazing), we are looking for a hike with more views or lack of green tunnel vibes.
Roan Highlands and Grayson Highlands are at the top of our lists, but I’m worried it might be really crowded with thruhikers.
Any suggestions are welcome!
I’m planning a 5 day fishing trek through the Bob this summer. Anyone gone back into some of the alpine lakes that were killer fishing?
Hey folks, I want to do a pretty long 6 night/7 day trip to Joyce Kilmer - Slickrock Widlerness area. I am a pretty experienced hiker and backpacker, so I am down for any tough trails. My friend will also be meeting me about half-way through the trip on the trail as well.
What would be a good itinerary for the area? I heard slickrock creek trail is challenging and fun, but dunno if it would be better to head towards the Citgo wilderness area as well and really dive deep into that area of it.
I like cool views, hard trails, and cool looking areas, so I am pretty wide open on what I like to encounter while backpacking and such.
Thanks in advance!
The permitting screens are a mix of released and not-reservable by trailhead, and even released, not-reservable WITHIN some trailheads? It's a total mess
Did they change the permit process for this season?
EDIT:
Wow, yes they did. Clicking on the N/Rs some trailheads seem to ONLY support 2 week-ahead orders and the mixed trailheads have some dates reservable at 6 months and some at 2 weeks.
Planning just got way less long-range...
Tips, tricks, and suggestions for a 2 Day hike. I've done Winter primitive camping before but never in NH. Any knowledge is much appreciated!
My friends and I are planning a backpacking trip in Northwestern Montana during the third week of May. We aim to have a week-long adventure in the wilderness and are seeking recommendations for remote trails with a variety of terrains. Specifically, we are interested in trails that are passable in early May.
Loop trails are ideal for our group as we will only be taking one car. They should be approximately 15-25 miles long. We’re looking for trails that traverse different landscapes, mostly forests, but rivers, alpine areas, and meadows are also cool. Opportunities for backcountry fishing along the trail would be a significant plus.
While such trails exist in Northwestern Montana, we have been unable to locate specific information. Any advice or recommendations you can provide would be greatly appreciated. Additionally, if you have any extra information about the area it would be incredibly helpful.
Thanks!
Last October I had my first guided backpacking trip, and it was a trip of a lifetime. I caught golden trout, but two nights just wasn't enough. I am planning a trip back to the area in late April, but I'm reading now that that seems way too early, as I have no experience camping in the snow. I can push the trip back to July, but where else in southern California can I backpack that's great weather in April? Angeles, San Bernardino, and Clevland, Los Padres are decently short drives but I'm also willing to drive 5-6 hours out. Preferably a mountain-y trail near creeks, rivers, or lakes, but I'm open to any suggestions.
Hello all. I have been living in New York for the past few years where I backpacked in the finger lakes, Adirondacks, and Catskills (once each: 2 day, 6 day, 3–>2 day cut short by injury, respectively). So I have some experience, but not much. Now I am in SoCal and am anxious to get out on the trail but I have zero experience backpacking in the desert.
I want to plan a 3 day solo trip in Anza-borrego. I am confident in my gear and clothing. However, I am not confident in my ability to successfully plan a trip, especially with respect to water. I expect to need to pack in all of my water but I don’t know how much and I don’t know how best to carry it. Any help from experienced desert backpackers would be wonderful.
6’185 lbs male.
Hi,
I'm planning to do a 1 month-40 day walking trip to Swedish Lapland in September, starting in Sarek and gradually traveling north from there. I understood that it could rain a lot; What clothing advice would you give me to avoid ending up soaked after several days of walking in the rain? I plan to take shelter when the rain is too heavy but I probably won't be able to avoid spending several hours underwater, and having already often traveled wet, I want to avoid this happening to me as much as possible in these regions where temperatures can be low and where, potentially, nothing allows me to dry my clothes for several days.
For example, I was thinking of layering a 20000mm rain jacket + waterproof pants with a 20000mm poncho as well, which risks causing problems in terms of breathability. If I dress very lightly underneath, however, I can perhaps avoid being too sweaty and manage to avoid the rain without getting wet from the inside; what do you think?
I Attempted the WHW last Summer as my first Backpackingtrip, Didnt finish due to Multiple Reasons ( Bad Planning, Worse Weather,Gear Failiure..). But the Flame hasnt died and i want to give it a second go. I am considering Switzerland and France at the Moment due to proximity and ambiguity when it comes to wild camping, And i would appreicate recomendations there.(Areas,Trails...) Other Suggestions are more than welcome as are any other Resources
Criteria :
-Located in Europe
- Resonably Reachable without a Car from Germany
-Wild Camping being Tolerated/ Empty Enough to not be Found
-Lenth : 2-5 days either during April or August ( Sadly fixed due to School)
-Cheap Options Prefered, willing to drop cash on something really Nice.
Hey fellow backpackers!
I'm planning a March backpacking trip with a group, and we're hoping to find a 35-45 mile loop trail within a 14-hour drive of San Francisco, CA. We're looking for something challenging but doable in about 4-5 days. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
A few important notes:
Any recommendations for great spots that fit the bill?
Thanks in advance!
So I’m brand new to backpacking and I’m trying to get really into it this spring/summer. I do a lot of day hikes and i was in the military so camping and walking long distances isn’t completely brand new to me. I live in Washington and have seen beautiful trails near Mt Rainier as well as in the Olympics but I’m not sure how permits or all that works. As I’m researching proper gear to buy, i was just wondering if anyone has any good hikes that have easily accessible permits that id be able to get in time for this summer. Or even ones that dont require permits at all. Any advice is appreciated, thank you!
I live in southern Washington and I’m very new to backpacking, having only been on two trips. I want to know what I can do to better keep my legs and gear dry, especially if I’m trying to do a multi day hike in rain or snow. I have a good tent and my gear stays mostly dry but, my pants and boots always get soaked. I was wondering if there’s a better way to layer pants to stay dry or a way to keep boots dry that’s cheaper than gaiters.
Looking for a small crew to plan a two-three nite backpacking trip. Hiking somewhere around 5-10 miles per day. Any spots highly recommended? I am 31 and extremely active, social, and love the outdoors. I will bring my Golden retriever as my sidekick.
I've been collecting gear to go on my first backpacking hike for a while now. And at the beginning I convinced my wife to come with me, or so I thought. The issue is, I purchased gear that are more for multiple people in mind; to include a Nemo Dagger 3p tent, a MSR Guardian, and a MSR Windburner Duo. But I digress...
I pitched and stayed in the tent in my backyard so I get a feel how to put it together, and the amount of extra space bothered me a little. Almost as if the travel from the center, where I would sleep, to either of the doors is far. My question is, other than weight, is there any cons or disadvantages to having a big tent for just one person? Has anyone ever been hindered from potential campsights because their tent was too large? Or, feel free to be honest, am I overthinking it?
I’m 18 looking to go backpacking mid June with a couple friends. I’ve done small backpacking trips on the east coast but nothing very serious. We are all in good shape and have done difficult trails out west before. Looking for any recommendations for a 30ish mile hike in the Tetons or north cascades(open to other recommendations) that would be good to do mid June.
Going to interview Dr. Patrick Fink, a physician specializing in wilderness medicine, about his career, experiences, and advice for pre-med students and looking for questions to ask him
Curious about blending a love of the outdoors with medicine, the challenges of practicing in remote settings, and the path to becoming a wilderness medicine expert.
Drop your questions below (and feel free to let me know the name you’d like to be credited with if your question is used). We’ll cover as many as possible.
Looking forward to your thoughts!