Personal Hygiene for Backpackers
You don’t have to be dirty and smelly on a backpacking trip. Say goodbye to at least some of the funk by carrying a few toiletry items and learn tips for staying clean in the backcountry.
Your Guide to Hiking, Backpacking & Camping in the Pacific Northwest
Review: Jetboil Flash 1.0L Backpacking Stove
The updated Jetboil Flash backpacking stove offers fast boil times, fuel efficiency, and simple operation — ideal for backpackers who want reliable performance without the fuss.
Review: Arms of Andes Alpaca Base Layer Top
After wearing this alpaca base layer on cold-weather hikes and camping trips, it’s proven to be one of the warmest, most comfortable, and versatile layers for its weight, due to alpaca’s unique performance qualities.
Professional-level Camera Gear for Hiking & Backpacking
In order to capture the beauty of the scenic places that I hike to, camera gear is one of the few items that I'm willing to carry extra weight for.
Trekking Poles for Hiking
I always hike with trekking poles, no matter the trail. Among the many benefits, they provide stability and help to reduce strain on your lower body by distributing some of the work to your upper body.
How to Check Backcountry Weather Forecasts
Weather conditions can have a big impact on trip plans – sometimes necessitating the need for a backup plan to a different destination. Use these resources to check conditions before heading out.
The Ten Essentials for Hiking
The ten essentials are all about being prepared. While you may not need all of these items on every trip, they can make a big difference when the unexpected happens.
Review: Magma 850 Down Hoodie
The REI Magma Down Jacket uses 850-fill down for a warm and packable lightweight jacket that’s great for stowing in a day pack and using on backpacking trips.
Best Day Hikes in Oregon’s North Coast Range
Oregon’s Coast Range is often overlooked by hikers, but the trails here are some of my favorites. I love the massive ferns that fill the forest understory, and the moss and lichens add to the rich green scenery.
Wilson River Trail – Elk Creek to Idiot Creek Hike
This section of the Wilson River Trail in Oregon's Coast Range goes from the Elk Creek trailhead to the Idiot Creek trailhead.
Wilson River Trail – Elk Creek to Kings Shuttle Hike
This section of the Wilson River Trail in Oregon’s Coast Range goes from the Elk Creek trailhead to the Kings Mountain trailhead. Along the way, the trail charms with cascading creeks and moss-covered boulders and trees.
Wilson River Trail – Elk to Kings Section Hike
I'll never get tired of lush, green Coast Range scenery. On today's hike, we marveled at all of the different types of mosses and lichens.
Wilson River Trail – Jones Creek to Footbridge Hike
This section of the Wilson River Trail between the Jones Creek and the Footbridge trailheads provides an easy hike through coastal forest with several riverside access points.
Wilson River Trail – Jones Creek to Kings Shuttle Hike
This is part two of a plan to hike the entire length of the Wilson River Trail in sections. For this section, we started at Jones Creek trailhead and did a shuttle hike to the Kings Mountain trailhead.
Wilson River Trail – Keenig Creek Hike
A rainy hike is sometimes the best kind of hike, like today in Oregon's Coast Range. We started at the Keenig Creek trailhead on the Wilson River Trail and hiked to a spot on a ridge and back for a total of about 8 miles with 1,100 ft. gain.
Wilson River Trail – Keenig Creek to Jones Creek Shuttle Hike
Located in the Oregon Coast Range, the Wilson River Trail runs for about 24 miles with multiple trailheads located just off Highway 6. This is part one of our plan to hike the entire length of the trail in sections.
Wilson River Trail – Diamond Mill to Lester Creek Hike
This after-Thanksgiving hike on the Wilson River Trail featured ferns in a mossy forest and views of the Oregon Coast Range mountains.
Solo Camping in My Honda CR-V at Cape Lookout
The season for camping in my car at the coast has officially begun! Even though this is the rainiest time of year, most months still offer a few good weather windows — and with the right setup, it’s easy to stay warm and cozy out there.
Wilson River Trail – Diamond Mill to Lester Creek Hike
This hike on the Wilson River Trail winds through dense forest filled with moss and ferns, passing numerous small creeks and opening to views of the Coast Range mountains along the way.
Eightmile Creek Loop Hike – Mount Hood
This is a hike I do for my birthday with friends to see western larches at peak color — a late-fall outing near Mount Hood that I always look forward to.
Review: Paka Thermal Baselayer Hoodie and Bottoms
Paka’s Thermal Baselayers combine alpaca fiber with merino wool and Tencel, creating lightweight, warm, and breathable layers. Natural stretch and odor resistance make them a reliable choice for cold-weather adventures.
Bald Mountain via Lolo Pass Hike – Mount Hood
On this fall hike to Bald Mountain’s summit in foggy conditions, we were rewarded when the clouds lifted, revealing spectacular views of Mount Hood.
Review: Mammut Eiger Nordwand ML Hybrid Hoodie
This hybrid midlayer is built for active pursuits – featuring micro-grid fleece and Polartec Alpha inserts to provide breathable body-mapped insulation.
Wilson River Trail Hike & Tillamook Forestry Center
On a quick outing along the Wilson River Trail, we paired a short hike with a visit to the Tillamook Forestry Center and were treated to unexpected wildlife sightings along the way.