My sister and I are going up to hike and climb in the Seneca Rocks area of West Virginia in October. I was thinking about swinging up to the Dolly Sods Wilderness when we are there. What's the best places to hike and see there if you just have 1 day?

Good day all. Just wanted to see if my backpack was within reasonable limits. My wife and I want to go on day hikes and overnight backpack camping trips.

Ive recently gotten everything I think i need and my pack weighs around 22 pounds including food and water. I can shave 3 pounds off if I ditch my chair.

For reference I am 5 foot 10 currently 230 pounds. I am trying my best to lose 50 pounds through diet and exercise like walking hiking and kayaking.

Thank you all for the advice.

Hey everyone!

I’m about to do a 2 month trip to South Eat Asia and have been looking into getting a decent sleeping pad as I’m gonna be doing lots of camping while I’m there. I want to make sure I can get some good sleep while still having one that packs light and I won’t have to lug around a big bulky pad. Any advice or recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance!!

Hey everyone,

We are looking to upgrade our tent for our upcoming backpacking and trekking trips and could use some real-world advice from this community.

Our Use Case:

Location: Mainly Central and Southern Europe, but also can be Scotland or the Nordics some time.

Seasons: Strictly no snow, but we don't just camp in peak summer. We stretch our trips into late fall and early spring, so the tent needs to handle decent rain, wind, chilly nights, and occasional condensation.

Activity: Backpacking and trekking, so we’re carrying it every day (weight and packability are high priorities).

We’ve narrowed it down to three options, but we are having trouble deciding:

1. Durston X-Dome: Love the innovative geometry and weight-to-space ratio. Seems like a fantastic modern design, but wondering how long the tent will last.

2. MSR Hubba Hubba HD: The absolute classic. It’s tried, tested, and freestanding, which is great for rocky Southern European ground, but it’s not the absolute lightest option out there anymore.

3. Wechsel Aeron 2: A very solid European brand that doesn't always get as much hype globally. It seems durable and well-suited for our weather, but I’d love to hear from anyone who has actually carried it on longer treks.

My Questions:

Is there a clear winner here, or another 2P tent we should be looking at for this specific use case?

Thanks in advance for any insights!

Coming from Colorado to do the Presidential Traverse next week! Planning on night one at Crag Camp and night two at Nauman Tentsite. Does AMC give any discounts for first responders? Lake of the Clouds looks so cool but it’s SO expensive!

Just as the title says, what pants are you guys wearing on multi day backpacking trips?

Currently planning a 3 day backpacking trip in Michigan and the pants I planned on wearing are chaffing me during training rucks. I bought a pair of light weight zip off pants from Cabela’s and they’re a little tight in the cheeks so I’m concerned about chaffing with those as well.

I wear pants 90% of the time in my daily life so I was thinking zip offs or just straight lightweight pants. I don’t have very good stores around me to try on pants before I buy them so I figured I’d come here and see what everyone else is wearing.

I'm going on a short (Highlands Trail) backpacking trip in Algonquin Park shortly, and I'm looking to get a slightly warmer/good shoulder season bag. I have the Thermarest Space Cowboy right now, which has been a terrific summer bag, but I need something for the colder nights! I'm in Canada btw, but close enough to the border that I could cross to an REI or similar store.

Right now due to price and availability concerns, I'm looking at the following "budget" options.

- Big Agnes Rabbit Ears Down -4C Bag (womens): ~2.05lbs, 9.4L packed, $210 (on sale at MEC right now!)

- REI Trailmade 25 Synthetic Bag (short): 2lbs 12oz, 7.3L compressed, $89 USD (~$125CAD, on sale at REI)

- Big Agnes Anthracite 20 (womens): 3lbs, ~11L compressed (not 100% sure about this measurement), $145 (on sale at SAIL)

I know that down is typically recommended and better for weight/size, but it seems like the trailmade actually packs down smaller and is cheaper. I also haven't been able to find any reviews on the Rabbit Ears bag (it's a MEC exclusive), so I am hesitant to buy it blindly. I'm really only considering the Anthracite as it would be the least amount of hassle to get before my trip, and also has the warmest rating (I've also had great experience with BA before!).

I'd mostly be using this bag for later summer/early fall backpacking trips in Ontario's provincial parks, usually 2-5 nights treks. If you have any other recommendations in this price range I would love to hear them!

Both are about same price on sale right now. I mainly do kayak camping so looking for something that packs smaller than what I have. But having a tent that allows me to maybe do a backpacking trip without having to buy another one would be interesting it's why I'm considering this price range.

Which one would you choose between these 2?

I (18F) am going to go on an outward bound trip for 72 days. Leaving September 26th

I did not exactly choose to do this, both my dad and grandmother did courses and loved them. My mom works for outward bound, and so I get to do the course for free. I really am not sure about this, as she signed me up for it and has kind of subtly guilted me into doing this.

That being said, I love nature and being outdoors. But I also have a few worries. Those are:

-physical difficulty

I am not a physically unfit person, I definitely have more muscle mass than fat on my body, but I am still skinny. I am also 5’0 so I’m generally just a small person. As much as I love being outside, I have also been pretty lazy. Most of my exercise is the equivalent of walking (I work at chipotle so lots of going back and forth on the line) And not much heavy lifting. I’d say most of my strength is in my legs, so I worry about a heavy backpack.

-my relationship

Outward bound does not allow any contact to the outside world (friends/family) as far as im concerned. I worry about missing my friends and family too much, especially my boyfriend. Everyone says that outward bound permanently changes you, and you come back a different person. I’m worried that I’ll forget about how much I love my friends and boyfriend. I dont want my relationship to fall apart afterwards because of the shock of leaving and coming back. Our 2 year anniversary is during my course, so we wont be able to celebrate it which is crushing. Does anyone have experience with such a long course and not being able to talk to their partner/spouse?

-depression/anxiety/adhd

I’m not currently very depressed, but have my bouts of depression in the past. It heavily runs in the family. I also tend to rely on friends and family to help regulate my mood, so I worry that having nobody that I know will throw me off, especially because I am more of a strange person and I’m not sure I’ll get along well enough with the people on my course. I also have had multiple teachers and doctors and close friends tell me I likely have adhd, it runs in the family. I cannot pay attention at all and even when driving I will forget what I’m doing and just become one with my thoughts. I have been scolded for this my entire life but I really have no control over it. I’m worried that that will impact my experience because I am not diagnosed, and they might just think I dont care so I’m ignoring them on purpose.

Overall I’m just worried that my trip will be filled with anxiety, fear, and sadness. If I could do a shorter course I would, but its too late now. I already feel like I want to go home. I cant back out of this because my mother would be extremely mad and would likely bring it up for the rest of my life and also be incredibly disappointed and sad.

If anyone has relationship/anxiety advice please do share.

And if you see this and somehow know my mom, please do not tell her because I do not want to hurt her feelings.

Bitterroot National Forest. 2 campgrounds and features a loop trail. Nice mostly flat 9-ish mile walk around a beautiful lake near Darby, MT. Two water crossings that may require a walking stick, the rest have bridges. A section of the trail is paved and wheelchair accessible. Plenty of benches. Nice waterfall about halfway into the hike with great spots for lunch or a snack. There is a swimming beach at the conclusion of the hike. From here you can also start a multi-day trek into the Comos. Tons of great trails around the area. Huckleberries galore if you catch it right (usually above 7,000 ft, the bears like them, too, so go prepared). Sharing this one for the families and those looking for an approachable hidden gem away from crowds.

$15 a night camping ($7.50 with senior or access pass). If you see a little dog in a basket riding in a 4-wheeler, his name is Wilson and he is a good boy. There is also a sprawling rentable cabin on the lake that is $65 a night in the off-season and $100 a night in peak season. It could probably sleep 75 people and has the most insane view and deck. You could almost fish off of it. It is not always rented last minute, even around times one would think it is. I asked if there was a limit to how many people could rent it and the camp host said not that he knows of. Great spot for a family reunion or friend’s trip.

This lake has a dam and the water is highest in the spring before they release water for irrigation below. The higher the water, the closer the trail is to the shore. Boats are welcome on the lake and there is a launch. There is an upper and lower campground. At the upper campground (Three Frogs) there is Starlink if you ask the CampHost Dave. He charges a few dollars a day for unlimited access, making it a good place for planning/downloading ahead. He is very nice and pleasant, but also very much values his privacy and silence as most who choose that role do.

(Lots of Lewis and Clark history in the area. Lots of indigenous history in the area. Incredible fishing and access to fishing guides/raft guides. Darby is home to a world class rodeo school and rodeo. It is also where they filmed Yellowstone. It is about 3.5 hours from both Yellowstone and Glacier National Parks situated between the Bitteroots and the Sapphire Range.)

Happy hiking and camping!

Hey people,

I’ve got my second hiking trip coming up, this time without a guided tour, so I’ll have to bring my own tent. I’m doing the peaks of the Balkan with a friend early October :)

Do any of you have a tent which you think is just perfect? I’ve been looking around a bit and stuck on quite a few options. (I’d love it to be 1 person <150$)

Thank you in advance!

Hi everyone,
I have a Pekynew C-2001 double-wall tent and a Deuter Aircontact Lite 50+10 backpack, and I’m trying to find the most efficient and proper way to carry the tent without wasting too much space.
My main issue is that my backpack doesn’t have dedicated straps or clip-style attachment points underneath the pack for securing a tent horizontally at the bottom.
The only attachment points I have down there are basically two loops/straps designed for an ice axe or trekking poles, so I’m not sure if those should be used for a tent or if that would be a bad idea.

After going through hundreds of threads on r/CampingandHiking and other outdoor communities, I put together a quick cheat sheet for anyone as lost as I was:

🏆 Best contoured air pillow for side sleepers? → Sea to Summit Aeros Premium
🛌 Best memory foam & air hybrid for neck alignment? → NEMO Fillo Camping Pillow
✨ Best down-topped inflatable for luxury comfort? → Therm-a-Rest Air Head Down
🧸 Best non-inflatable compressible foam pillow? → Therm-a-Rest Compressible Pillow
💰 Best budget ergonomic pillow with pad strap? → Trekology Aluft 2.0

Personally going with the Trekology Aluft 2.0 - best budget camping pillow for side sleepers worth bringing from everything I've read.

I’m trying to improve sleep on 2–3 night backpacking trips without adding a ridiculous amount of bulk. I sleep mostly on my side and every tiny inflatable pillow I’ve borrowed either slides off the pad or leaves my shoulder and neck at the wrong angle by 3 AM. I’m happy to carry a little extra weight for decent sleep, but I don’t want a full-size camp pillow taking over my pack. Budget is around $25–$60.

I’m deciding between the Nemo Fillo Elite, Sea to Summit Aeros Premium, Exped Ultra Pillow, Therm-a-Rest Compressible, and a basic clothes-in-a-stuff-sack setup. For other side sleepers, which one has enough height and stays put on a sleeping pad? And did anyone try an inflatable pillow after hating them, then find one that actually worked?

Hey, y'all! I am planning a trip to Europe next summer to celebrate graduating from university! I plan to be in northern Italy towards the beginning of June, and I was hoping to do some backpacking in the Dolomites.

Here's the deal.

Backpacking in the Dolomites appears to be prohibitively expensive. If I were to buy the Alpine Club Membership it would greatly help my ability to plan and execute a trip on, say, Alta Via 1. With the Club Membership, I could probably swing the hut reservations. It would be tight though, and it appears that Alta Via 1 especially can be inundated with backpackers. (I imagine Everest kinds of crowds, which is not really what I want). I am in good enough shape to do a trek similar to Alta Via, though I have almost no technical climbing experience. I think that this crowding issue might be driving up the cost for the huts.

I know there are many long treks through the Dolomites aside from the Alta Vias, but I am aiming specifically for a trek that crosses the mountains in the way Alta Via 1 does.

I also know that the laws regarding boondocking are strict, with primitive camping typically illegal in most parts of the mountains but especially in the parks.

Are there any treks that fit this description? What I'm looking for specifically is a 7-10 day trek across the Dolomites without technical climbing north-south with limited, or at least less, crowds. I have the gear and prep necessary to do a strict backpacking trip without utilizing huts, so a trek with or without them fits well.

I know this is pretty specific, but if you have any tips please let me know!

If this "dream" trail doesn't exist, any advise on trekking across the mountains is greatly appreciated!

Thank you so much !

Hey travelers 👋 I am in the midst of planning a backpacking trip to the Winds next summer. I’ve been keen on wanting at the minimum go to Titcomb Basin, and some of the other high country/mountain passes/Lakes in that area. I found this loop online and it looks exactly like what I’d be interested in. I’ve heard Titcomb/island lake at times can be like Disney (in terms of how busy Wyoming is), and that the further into the wilderness you go the more solitude you get. I was hoping someone who has traversed this area would be able to tell me a bit about it.

I’m also weighing the possibility of bagging Fremont Peak. I’d assume I’d most likely be camping adjacent to it at Island Lake or Indian Basin. I’m also open to suggestions of other peaks in the area that aren’t above class 3 with similar views, but with Fremont Peak’s proximity to this loop, and highest class rating of lower 3, it just seemed like the move. Any tips or advice regarding this is hugely appreciated as I’ve heard descending down towards Mistake Lake to Titcomb can be kind of dicey as opposed to the south buttress route that one would use to ascend.

The general loop is as follows:
Elkhart trailhead - Island lake - Titcomb Basin - Knapsack Col - Peak Lake/Shannon Pass - Summit Lake - Trapper Lake - Elkhart trailhead.

General loop information/ where I found the loop/map:
\\\[https://backpackingroutes.com/titcomb-basin-loop/?amp=1\\\\\\\](https://backpackingroutes.com/titcomb-basin-loop/?amp=1)

Map of the loop itself:
\\\[https://www.gaiagps.com/public/UQilLiMNKZxdGd4wCGf3ZhoD/\\\\\\\](https://www.gaiagps.com/public/UQilLiMNKZxdGd4wCGf3ZhoD/)

Fremont Peak all trails link:
\\\[https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/wyoming/fremont-peak-via-pole-creek-trail-loop?p=-1&sh=ej2dsl&utm\\\\\\\\\\\\\\_medium=trail\\\\\\\\\\\\\\_share&utm\\\\\\\\\\\\\\_source=alltrails\\\\\\\\\\\\\\_virality\\\\\\\](https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/wyoming/fremont-peak-via-pole-creek-trail-loop?p=-1&sh=ej2dsl&utm\\\\\\_medium=trail\\\\\\_share&utm\\\\\\_source=alltrails\\\\\\_virality)

Thanks for the help and tips, I am just trying to get my bearings with this loop and know what exactly I’m getting myself into. I’m an avid hiker and live/hike in Colorado so elevation is not an issue for me. I’m not a mountaineer/climber, so anything above class 3++ is kind of my limit, however I do like to push myself. I’m mostly just seeing what other people have to say about it so I know what to do where and what to generally expect out of this trip.

Cheers 🍻

Hi everybody! Looking for recommendations for long distance hiking in Europe next year, already did Dolomites and just finished up the TMB. Great experiences!

But I'm looking for another location for next year where I can have the same flexibility (wildcamping + huts sometimes).

Do you have any recommendations for a 5-10 day hike?

Vorrei campeggiare in tenda per 2 giorni vicino al lago Arvo a Lorica in Calabria. Qualcuno sa se ci sono spazi per poter montare una tenda senza problemi vicino al lago?

Hi y'all l'm a 24yo who recently moved to Melbourne Australia and I'm looking to do some solo camping in the mountains what would you guys advise for cheap gear that could help me out during the cold nights and just in general

Hey guys,

In hiking and camping the Alta via 1 tra from Lago de Braies to passo Giau over 5 days. My only concern is the weather and escape routes and hoping someone may have done similar and can give advice.

Rifugios weren't an option as they were fully booked. I've looked for escape routes and found some options for each stretch but wondering if anyone can jump in with their experience.

Searched the group and it hasn't been asked for a while, so thought it was worth bringing up.

Planning my first solo hiking & camping trip, after years of solo day trips, and family camping trips. After working through a spreadsheet with weights I've settled on the following add-ons while staying under my desired weight.

My luxuries are:

- chair with back: >550g

- pocket table: >500g

- sketchbook: 350g

- Sleeping Pod: 1700g - - I don't sleep well restricted 😅

- MSR Stove: 500g

Yes, this adds ~3.6kg, but I know I'll be well rested and chill for the next day.

I know as I proceed with solo hiking camping I'll possibly shave off my 'necessities', and it'd be nice to know how others have approached it, whether it's been removing or adding to their packing list.

Hello! Thanks in advance for your help. I was interested in buying these. Anyone else try these out?

Hey! My siblings and I are planning on camping in the mountains in eastern TN and i was hoping for some advice on essentials to pack? And also what not to pack?

Ive camped a lot while traveling (moving to different states) but this is purely for pleasure and i havent camped in the mountains in a good ten years.

It'll probably be 5 people and a dog if thats relevant info. 3 nights also.

Thanks!

Deep in the Andes mountain range, near Santiago, Chile, we camp in La Engorda Valley at 2,600 m. The next day, we hike up to El Plantat Hut at 3,100 m. From there, we want to climb higher and see the entire mountain range stretching around us.