Techniques » Techniques

The first episode of Backpacking Light's new video series, "The SUL Wanderer" tells stories and teaches techniques about "SuperUltralight Backpacking" - the style of backpacking that focuses on the extremes of light weight, compactness, and simplicity for wilderness travel. Read More...

An SUL approach to multisport: bikepacking, packrafting, and tenkara fly fishing. Read More...

If you're a fan of fry-baked meals in the backcountry, and you are reading this article, it's not likely you're one who gets real excited about carrying the two-pound classic Banks' Fry Bake. Here are some options for lighter gear and techniques for fry-baking as a solo traveler, or in smaller groups. Read More...

In Part 1, Fany and Nick embarked on a challenging journey with an unlikely companion: their 3 month old. Two years and another 750 km later, 30 month old Flora has completed the entire traverse. Thru-hiking with a toddler can be as rewarding as it is challenging. Read More...

Guidelines for evaluating watershed geography and streamflow to help ask the question: is this creek runnable in a packraft? Read More...

In the high country, runoff doesn’t always coincide with what we all consider to be backpacking season, where trails are dry and the days are sunny. That being the case, here are some tips for trekking, packrafting, and camping in the spring snow and muck. Read More...

Ryan Jordan presents some tools and techniques for dealing with wet wood for firebuilding in winter conditions. Read More...

A new installment of the "24" series - stories about "24 hour" overnight trips. Read More...

Episode 3: The first big snowfall of the season (in September!) had us traversing the Hyalite-Cottonwood divide for snow hiking and camping. Read More...

Hiking through the French Pyrenees is challenging for any young couple hoping to enjoy some relaxation and romance in between climbing passes and breaking camp. The afternoon heat - often ending in a violent thunderstorm - brings more than one overloaded backpacker to boiling point. Now enter a six-kilo, breast-fed, three-month-old baby. Great family trip or a bad idea? Read More...

With temperatures that ranged from -5 F to 40 F, the Bob Marshall Wilderness threw some formidable weather our way and reminded us: this stuff ain't for the faint of heart! Read More...

How books about or by famous UL walkers, a sewing machine, and the most devoted UL community on the planet got me back on the trail and going light. Read More...

Episode 2: we focused on fast food preparation and the elimination of a whole lotta gear by hiking into a U.S. Forest Service lookout cabin. Read More...

I got less - and more - than I bargained for. Read More...

You have 24 hours to quickly engage in a Wild Place with minimal disruption to your job or your family. Where will YOU go? Read More...

Getting emotionally disturbed boys working together to take a backpacking trip is a big job... with many setbacks, limited gear, and almost no budget. Read More...

While perhaps a touch extreme, running Rim-to-Rim-to-Rim (RRR) is not uncommon within trail running circles. But within hiking circles, this trek does not seem to garner much attention, when there are few trips, mile-for-mile, hour-for-hour, that compare. In one day, you pass through 1.6 billion years of geology (four times) and span the grandest Big Ditch in the world (twice). Read More...

Chris Townsend and the Pertex/Pile Revolution. Read More...

Andrew Skurka's insights and techniques for early season trekking can dramatically increase the length of your normal hiking season. Read More...

Pulk techniques for winter travel over snow Read More...

Based on our research and testing, we recommend lightweight footwear systems for specific conditions and activities. In addition, our Backpacking Light staffers describe their favorite systems, and two ultralight nomads – Andrew Skurka and Chris Townsend – share their wisdom. Read More...

We cover the components of a lightweight footwear system – shoes/boots, footbeds, socks, vapor barriers, booties, overboots, and gaiters (everything on or around the foot), discuss the pros and cons of different options, and identify our favorites. Read More...

High-tech gear to keep your feet dry and warm is useless without the proper knowledge on how to use it, and that’s especially true for lightweight footwear in cold and wet conditions. Read More...

Tips for igloo living and interior climate graphs to show you why you want to camp in an igloo. Read More...

Igloo building is a fun wintertime activity to share with family, friends, or Scouts. Build a warming hut in your favorite skiing or snowshoeing area, construct an igloo for a backcountry base camp, or design your own hut system! The Grand Shelters Icebox Igloo Building Tool does a lot of the work for you, but you’ll still need to master some essential techniques. Read More...

Learn the tricks and techniques required to make a stable windshield out of floppy metal foil. Read More...

All the details you need to plan backcountry vegetarian meals that are nutritious and tasty. Read More...

Thorns, scrub and sandstone can rip ultralight clothing to shreds. What materials and construction techniques hold up to serious bushwhacking? Read More...

Drinking untreated backcountry water can make you sick - but choosing your drinking spots intelligently can greatly reduce that risk. Here, a doctor shares the methods that have kept him healthily "sipping the waters" for the past 20 years. Read More...

Poncho Tarps are not just for the eccentric. Learn how to use them in foul weather and save considerable weight and simplify your gear kit. Read More...

Have you tried a double windscreen to maintain alcohol and fuel tab stove performance in the wind? It really works, and one piece doubles as a GearSheet. Read More...

The theory (Bernoulli Effect, laminar and turbulent flow) behind how wind affects backcountry cooking. Read More...

The winners of the Backpacking Light Trip Planning Spreadsheet Contest are a diverse group. Read More...

Formulas and theory for predicting possible distances and times with ultralight gear for long distance backpacking. Read More...

Go wild - leave the TP at home. Read More...

Many canister stove models become excellent cold weather performers with a simple twist. Read More...

Fuel fundamentals and basic flame chemistry explained so that canister stove cold weather performance can be optimized. Read More...

Reader submissions of spreadsheet files used for trip planning and gear lists. Read More...

Complete lightweight camera and accessories setup for the professional backcountry photographer. Read More...

Perspectives on footwear and foot care from a type II diabetic backpacker. Read More...

The basics of selecting trail food that is appetizing, energizing, and easy to prepare. Read More...

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Water prep in the winter is a time- and fuel-consuming chore. Learn tips and tricks to save time and weight in this treatise on lightweight winter water prep using a white gas stove. Read More...

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Systematic analysis of considerations for evaluating a GPS system of lightweight equipment and software for efficient navigation. Read More...

A brief review of bear bag hanging techniques with a focus on minimizing weight and maximizing simplicity. Read More...

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