How to Pass Other Hikers on Narrow Trails Without Making It Awkward
A practical guide to passing hikers on narrow trails, with simple advice for communication, right-of-way, pack animals, steep terrain, and exposed sections.
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Miles, Meals & Mosquitoes
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.
Recent articles
View archiveHow to Pack Out Food Scraps You Thought Would Break Down
A practical guide for beginner backpackers on why food scraps don't belong in the backcountry, how to pack them without leaks or smells, and what to do with them when you get home.
Read articleHow to Pack Fresh Food for the First Day Without Carrying a Cooler
Practical ways to choose, package, and time fresh food for a short opening leg without carrying a cooler, while keeping food safety in view.
Read articleHow to Pack for a Backpacking Trip With One Guaranteed Dry Set of Clothes
A practical clothing system for keeping one complete outfit dry on a backpacking trip, while managing sweat, rain, sleep comfort, and emergency warmth without carrying a full wardrobe.
Read articleHow to Pack a Camera Without Letting It Take Over Your Backpack
A practical system for protecting camera gear, keeping it accessible, and choosing only the lenses and accessories that justify their weight on an overnight backpacking trip.
Read articleHow to Pack a Bear Spray Holster So It Is Reachable but Not in the Way
A practical guide for backpackers in Western Canada on positioning, testing, and maintaining a bear spray holster so the spray stays accessible without interfering with hiking, scrambling, or changing layers.
Read articleHow to Pack a Backpack So the Things You Need Are Actually Reachable
A practical backpack-loading system for keeping weight balanced, delicate gear protected, and essential items—such as rain gear, water, food, and navigation—within easy reach.
Read articleHow to Organize a Trailhead Without Blocking Other Groups
A practical arrival and departure routine for parking, loading gear, handling permits, and keeping trailhead access clear for other hikers and emergency vehicles.
Read articleHow to Navigate in Dense Fog Above Treeline Without Losing the Route
A practical field procedure for navigating safely above treeline when dense fog removes the usual visual references, using bearings, terrain features, pacing, and deliberate decision points.
Read articleHow to Navigate a Trail Junction When Every Option Looks Wrong
A practical, step-by-step method for resolving confusing trail junctions without guessing, using map evidence, travel direction, terrain, and a calm reset.
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