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 for intermediate backpackers in the Canadian Rockies on recognizing when altitude and fatigue are affecting judgement, and deciding whether to rest, descend, or end the route.
Read articleA practical two-night approach to Ontario’s La Cloche Mountains, with route options, mileage planning, water strategy, campsite considerations, and ways to avoid turning a short trip into an exhausting one.
Read articleA practical two-day Adirondack backpacking plan for beginners, using Pharaoh Lake as a manageable first route with modest climbing, realistic mileage, and straightforward campsite logistics.
Read articleHow to plan manageable distances, exposed-ridge alternatives, campsite logistics, and weather backups for an early-fall trip.
Read articleA practical, repeatable way to arrange sleeping gear, cooking supplies, clothing, and waste in a small backcountry camp so you can find things quickly and pack up without a scavenger hunt.
Read articleHow to assess route options in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Prince Edward Island when access and daylight are limited.
Read articleA practical framework for choosing Pacific Northwest backpacking routes during prolonged wet weather, with an emphasis on drainage, creek crossings, campsites, and conservative planning.
Read articleHow to plan a lower-mileage autumn trip while accounting for daylight, cold nights, foliage-season demand, and changing trail conditions.
Read articleA practical system for dividing shelter, cooking, water, and safety gear fairly when one person in the group has the smallest pack.
Read articleA practical, calm approach to handling nerves on your first solo overnight, from preparing a simple check-in plan to recognizing when anxiety signals a genuine safety problem.
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