Independent field notes
Backpacking adventures, trail wisdom, and lessons learned the hard way.
James McAfferyJames McAffery is a lifelong backpacker who believes the best lessons are learned somewhere between the trailhead and the next campsite. He writes practical guides about gear, trail skills, backcountry meals, and avoiding mistakes—especially the ones he has already made himself.
A practical guide to planning dairy-free and gluten-free backpacking meals, with advice on labels, cross-contamination, calorie density, substitutions, and simple backcountry preparation.
Read articleA practical framework for deciding whether a spring or autumn backpacking trip in Western Canada is still sensible when mud, snow, short daylight, closures, and changing access conditions could affect the route.
Read articleA beginner-friendly planning guide for choosing a manageable Kananaskis route, accounting for elevation gain, and building a realistic first-night schedule.
Read articleA practical planning guide for a first multi-day backpacking trip in Newfoundland, with advice on weather buffers, wind, fog, wet ground, resupply, communications, and conservative bailout plans.
Read articleA practical guide to planning coastal backpacking routes around tide windows, headlands, weather, and escape points in the Pacific Northwest and Atlantic Canada.
Read articleA practical method for building a coastal or island backpacking itinerary around limited ferry departures, weather delays, and backup campsites in British Columbia and the Pacific Northwest.
Read articleA practical framework for linking trailheads with buses, trains, ferries, and shuttles when you don't have a second vehicle.
Read articleA practical guide to planning a point-to-point backpacking trip when you have only one vehicle, including route choices, shuttle logistics, parking, timing, and backup plans.
Read articleA practical guide to adjusting mileage, water planning, start times, campsite selection, and bailout options when a backpacking trip may coincide with an early heat wave.
Read articleA practical guide to planning a Western Canadian backpacking loop when a seasonal shuttle is uncertain, including verification steps, fallback routes, timing, group logistics, and contingency plans.
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