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Long-distance hiking is a beautiful thing, but overcoming the challenges of a thru-hike requires a lot of research, planning and dedication. We put together this guide to help get you started. Below, you’ll find tips about choosing a start date, buying gear, what to expect on the trail, and so much more.
Read MoreTaking your dog for a rainy hike or a jaunt in the snow is incredibly fun and a great way to keep them active during the winter. But adventuring with your pup in cold, wet conditions comes with its own specific challenges. Here are a few tricks we’ve learned to keep our dogs comfortable, happy, and healthy on winter hikes.
Read MoreWe’re avid cooks both at home and on our adventures, and it’s taken decades to dial in this list of our favorite camping recipes. We love these meals because they have a great balance of being convenient to make outdoors and gourmet enough to satisfy our taste for luxury while on vacation.
Read MoreA photo speaks a thousand words, especially when it comes to recalling the details of your adventures. A trip may only last for a few days, but great photos will bring back the feels for a lifetime. Learning to capture professional looking photos takes time, but it’s a skill worth growing if you want to better share your experiences, inspire others, and record your memories.
Read MoreThis moderately easy and short loop route around Three Fingered Jack offers nearly unending mountain and lake views. You’ll not only get up close and personal with craggy Three Fingered Jack as you circumnavigate the peak, but you’ll also catch glimpses of the surrounding Cascade Range volcanoes around every corner.
Read MoreThe Six Moon Designs Rain Walker SUL Umbrella strikes an excellent balance of low weight and luxury for those wanting the outstanding protection of a hiking umbrella without adding too much extra weight to their pack. It barely tips the scale at just 5.5 oz., which makes it the lightest full-size trekking umbrella on the market.
Read MoreThe McKenzie River Trail ventures through old lava flows, past views of crystal-clear blue waters, and traverses lush old-growth forests. It’s a relatively short and easy backpacking trip that you can hike over a long weekend if your time is limited, and it’s one of the few routes that’s accessible in spring and early summer in the Pacific Northwest. Plus, it offers a tempting opportunity to take a dip in a hot springs pool towards the end of your trip.
Read MoreWinter camping is a unique experience that creates life-long memories. We love snowshoeing, building camps, and gathering with friends in our snow kitchens over steaming food and hot drinks. Winter camping might seem difficult at first, but it’s actually pretty simple and surprisingly comfortable with the right gear.
Read MoreWhen you go into the backcountry during the harshest season of the year, it pays to have the right equipment to keep you safe, comfortable, and having fun. Whether you’re experienced, or you’ve never been winter camping before, working through a thorough checklist like the one below will give you peace of mind when preparing for an adventure. We hope it makes packing for your next winter camping trip quick and easy.
Read MoreSometimes evening just doesn’t feel complete without a fire. But let’s face it, smoke can be irritating and campfires can be a hassle to clean up. That’s why we love Solo Stove’s innovative gasifier stoves and fire pits. They’re really easy to use, nearly smoke-free, and they don't scar the ground.
Read MoreThere’s no doubt that rainy and cold conditions add an element of challenge to getting outside. But, don’t let a drizzly forecast stop you from being active and immersing yourself in nature. The right mindset and quality rain gear make all the difference.
Read MoreOne of the most common problems hikers and backpackers experience are blisters. They may be small, but they can easily be painful enough to end your trip. We put together this guide to help teach you how to prevent blisters entirely, to learn how to treat them, and to provide general foot care tips to keep your tootsies happy and healthy on the trail.
Read MoreThe Continental Divide Trail (CDT) spans over 3,100 miles from Mexico to Canada and is one of the most significant trail systems in the world. It’s the highest, most remote, and, in many ways, most challenging of our National Scenic Trails. Thru-hiking the CDT is an adventure of a lifetime, but it’s not for the faint of heart. That said, the effort it takes to overcome the challenges the Trail presents are rewarded with unending panoramic views, deep solitude, and an opportunity to be immersed in true wildness.
Read MoreThe Helium line from Outdoor Research has set the standard in lightweight and packable rain shells for backcountry adventures and travel for years. In 2020, their updated Helium Rain Jacket and Rain Pants offer a better fit, improved waterproofing and durability, and are even lighter weight than before. The new Helium rainwear launched in spring of 2020 exclusively at REI.
Read MoreAs hikers, we expect a lot from our clothing. It has to insulate us from the cold, breathe well, dry quickly, and protect us from rain, snow, wind, and intense sun. We need to be able to deal with all types of changing conditions under variable temperature ranges that fluctuate with aerobic activity.
Read MoreSize is one of the most important considerations you’ll make when choosing a backpacking or camping tent. You’ll want a shelter that’s comfortably spacious, but you’ll also want to balance that against weight, bulk, convenience, and cost.
Read MoreHiking in the desert is often seen as drab when compared to majestic alpine meadows. However, we have fallen deeply in love with the vast beauty and intriguing surprises found in these often-overlooked places. We put together this guide to help you plan a safe and enjoyable desert adventure!
Read MoreLightweight backpacking video guides and reviews of the best ultralight tents, backpacks, sleeping bags, stoves, and more.
We're Dave & Annie, the outdoor adventurers behind CleverHiker. We love backpacking, international travel, useful gear, and all things nature. Read more on our About page.
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