About CleverHiker

Your go-to resource for all things backpacking, hiking, and camping

 

CLEVERHIKER MISSION

Our mission is to connect people with nature by providing information and inspiration. We believe that everyone should have the opportunity to experience the wonders of the wilderness. We are committed to making outdoor recreation easier, safer, and more enjoyable for everyone.

We do this by providing:

Skill-based Tutorials: Our detailed tutorial videos and articles will teach you the skills you need to safely and confidently enjoy your backcountry trips.

Comprehensive Trip Guides: Our trip guides have everything you need for planning your next adventure, including detailed itineraries, permit information, difficulty ratings, and much more.

In-depth Gear Reviews: Our reviews are independent, unbiased, and come from one of the most experienced gear testing teams you’ll find anywhere. We’ll make sure you find the right gear for your needs and budget.

We hope our resources help you plan your next unforgettable outdoor adventure.

OUR STORY

CleverHiker was created in 2012 by outdoor enthusiast Dave Collins as a resource for backpackers and hikers of all levels. Dave had recently completed a thru-hike of the Pacific Crest Trail, and he wanted to share his knowledge and experience with others.

CleverHiker started with two tutorial video series: Lightweight Backpacking Basics and Essential Backpacking Skills. These videos quickly became popular, and Dave soon expanded the site to include comprehensive trip guides and in-depth gear reviews.

Today, CleverHiker is one of the leading backpacking, hiking, and camping resources online. With hundreds of articles and videos, CleverHiker has something for everyone, from first-time campers to experienced thru-hikers.

WHO WE ARE

Dave Collins

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Founder, CEO & Editor-in-Chief

Dave is CleverHiker’s founder and he oversees day-to-day operations. He is responsible for all aspects of our site, including content creation, gear testing, photography, web design, social media, advertising, strategic planning, and employee management.

Dave grew up in an outdoorsy family and spent much of his childhood on the trail while earning his way to Eagle Scout. He has extensive backpacking experience in some of the world's most beautiful and challenging destinations, including thru-hiking the Pacific Crest Trail and trekking through Nepal, Patagonia, and British Columbia/Alberta. He’s tackled iconic trails such as the John Muir Trail, Wonderland Trail, and Collegiate Peaks Loop. He has backpacked widely in Oregon, Washington, Utah, Wyoming, California, and Glacier National Park. Check out the Trip Guide section of CleverHiker for a selection of many of the trails Dave has hiked.

In addition to his on-trail experience, Dave has spent over a decade studying the outdoor gear industry, testing equipment, and writing reviews. Dave's highly analytical approach, thorough research, and keen eye for emerging trends and innovations have made him a trusted authority in the outdoor gear industry. His meticulous attention to detail and extensive experience have been instrumental in building the CleverHiker Gear Guide into a go-to resource for outdoor enthusiasts seeking honest and independent gear-buying advice. With a passion for both gear and the great outdoors, Dave is committed to helping others make informed decisions about the equipment they need to pursue their own outdoor adventures.

Dave embraces an active and adventurous way of life. When he's not on the trails, you can find him spending time with family and friends, catching waves along the coast, playing various recreational sports, exploring new places around the world, and engaging in any outdoor activity that allows him to stay active and connected with nature.

Casey Handley

Senior Gear Analyst

Casey is an experienced hiker and gear expert who brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the CleverHiker team. She has a passion for ultralight backpacking, years of experience working at REI, and a deep understanding of what people need and want from their gear. Casey has spent years researching, testing, and writing about outdoor gear to become CleverHiker’s Senior Gear Analyst.

Casey has also hiked thousands of miles on some of the most beautiful and challenging trails in the country, including thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail, John Muir Trail, Arizona Trail, Colorado Trail, and Long Trail.

She has a background in English and writing, and her meticulous attention to detail is evident in the content she produces for CleverHiker. She also has a keen eye for style and design, making her a valuable contributor to our site's visual and written content.

Casey lives in her van somewhere in Central Oregon with her partner, dog, and cat. She spends her free time studying maps to plan her next thru-hike, shooting film in beautiful backcountry spots, and looking for ways to shave an ounce off her pack weight.

Heather Eldridge

Staff Writer

As a Staff Writer at CleverHiker, Heather contributes to all aspects of our content creation, including research, analysis, testing, writing, photography, and more. Heather also leads the CH communications department, answering reader questions and building relationships with innovative outdoor brands.

Originally from Oregon, Heather has been exploring the Pacific Northwest since childhood. Heather is an experienced thru-hiker, having completed both the Pacific Crest Trail and the Continental Divide Trail. With a degree in Outdoor Education, Heather spent years encouraging youth to embrace outdoor recreation through various leadership positions. She has also worked as a backpacking guide, rock climbing instructor, and portrait photographer.

Heather takes a balanced approach to backpacking and camping, emphasizing comfort while keeping the weight and cost of her gear in check. Her love of photography is evident in the stunning images she captures on her adventures, which she uses to inspire others to explore the beauty of the natural world. When Heather’s not working, you can find her hiking with her dog in the local forests or obsessing over plants in her garden.

Annie Hopfensperger

Editorial Assistant

Annie is Dave's life partner and a vital contributor to CleverHiker's success, helping with content creation, photography, and day-to-day operations.

Annie grew up in Wisconsin, where her family instilled a deep appreciation for spending time outdoors. In 2010, Dave introduced her to backpacking with a trip to the Goat Rocks Wilderness in Washington, and it quickly became a passion. Since then Annie has explored many corners of the globe, including the Himalayas, Andes, and Antarctica, but the misty Pacific Northwest remains home. With her keen interest in gear and a focus on maximizing comfort while minimizing weight, Annie has been instrumental in the continued success and growth of CleverHiker.

Before joining CleverHiker full-time in 2017, Annie spent a decade teaching in Portland, Oregon. However, she was eager for a change and yearned to spend more time outdoors, making the move to CleverHiker a natural choice. With her enthusiasm for nature and an insatiable appetite for adventure travel, you’ll usually find Annie planning the next epic CleverHiker trip.

Our Responsibility

CleverHiker is a website that encourages backpackers, hikers, and campers to experience nature at its finest. We believe that everyone has a responsibility to protect the wilderness, and we do our part by providing resources on low-impact travel, Leave No Trace methods, wilderness conservation, and trail maintenance volunteer opportunities.

We also regularly donate to trail organizations and environmental conservation groups. We hold great reverence for Mother Nature and those who safeguard our wild places. We believe that all of us need to be stewards of the natural world to protect our wilderness for generations to come.

Here are some of the ways you can help:

  • Pack light. The less weight you carry, the less impact you'll have on the trail.

  • Leave no trace. Follow the Leave No Trace principles to help keep our wilderness clean and pristine.

  • Donate to trail organizations. Your donations help to maintain and improve our trails.

  • Volunteer for trail maintenance. Give back to the wilderness by helping to keep our trails in good condition.

  • Educate others about Leave No Trace. Share your knowledge with other backcountry travelers to help them protect the wilderness.

Together, we can make a difference. Thank you for being a part of the CleverHiker community.

CONNECT WITH US

We hope you find our resources to be helpful, direct, and inspirational. Though we are highly experienced outdoor experts, we also consider ourselves lifelong learners. So if you ever have feedback on how we can improve any of our resources, please know that your suggestions will be welcomed with open arms.

The best way to stay connected is to sign up for our newsletter below.  Also, follow us on social media and you'll never miss a trip guide, gear review, or tutorial video.