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 framework for choosing a manageable first backpacking route in the Yukon, with sensible attention to remoteness, weather, river crossings, wildlife, and rescue delays.
Read articleA practical postmortem of wet gear, poor sequencing, and the camp-arrival changes that make bad-weather nights manageable.
Read articleA practical guide to building a reliable backcountry water plan, with lessons on backup treatment methods, testing equipment before departure, and avoiding a single point of failure.
Read articleA practical guide to treating silty, cold, or questionable backcountry water with filters, chemicals, boiling, and pre-filtration.
Read articleA practical, reflective guide to planning backpacking trips around uncertain weather, choosing adaptable gear, and making decisions that still work when the forecast changes.
Read articleA practical first-person reflection for beginner backpackers on why mileage alone is an unreliable daily plan, and how to account for elevation, terrain, weather, camp chores, and fatigue.
Read articlePractical pacing, packing, footwear, break, and water habits that reduce friction over a full day of walking.
Read articleA reflective guide to recognizing when fatigue and worsening weather are narrowing your options, then stopping early, communicating clearly, and changing plans before a manageable problem becomes an emergency.
Read articleA reflective account of why avoidance lines expand, how to choose durable passage, and what to do when a trail is already widening.
Read articleA practical guide to documenting and reporting damaged bridges, washouts, fallen trees, and other dangerous trail features so land managers can respond and later hikers can make informed decisions.
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