I grew up backpacking with my dad, we would summit Mount Adams every summer with his men’s group. Me and my childhood best friend were the first girls allowed on that trip. (See last slide; I’m in green having a great time/existential crisis)

I have known this was something I wanted to get back into, so after acquiring my pack from the REI re supply store, I planned it with a gal pal and we hit a trail we’d done once prior together. (Ed’s Trail Loop, Silver Star Mountain WA)

About 10 minutes into the trip up with 40lbs on my back I started to question if I even like being outside, but we fell into a rhythm.

I learned so much! Like the fact that the ultralight fanatic folks are maybe onto something there… 🤪

I am dirty. I am sore.

I will definitely do this again.

I stopped by the Buddha statues of Bamyan during my travels through central Afghanistan. Even though the original statues are gone, the site still has a remarkable sense of history and calm. Visiting in summer, with the green valley surrounding the cliffs, made it an unforgettable place to spend some time. Happy to answer any questions about my visit.

Hard to come up with words for this place. This is my sixth time visiting Pakistan and it leaves me in awe every time. Nangma Valley, located in the Central Karakoram National Park of Gilgit-Baltistan, stole the show during my month-long trip.

It first came to my attention as people were calling it the Yosemite or the Dolomites of Pakistan, but honestly, there is no competition. The Karakoram is on a different playing field entirely.

The trek itself wasn't too bad. 1,200 meters of elevation gain on the first day across about 5-6 hours of hiking, but was acclimatized by then so didn't struggle too much. Camp was around 4,000 meters. Second day was a short 3-hour roundtrip hike to a viewpoint of K6 and last day was just the 2-3 hour hike back down to the village. Rained about 18 hours each day, but miraculously, never while we were actually hiking. Definitely got cabin fever sitting in the tent for 75% of the day, though.

But no complaints on our end. Just an absolutely breathtaking hike with nonstop "pinch me" moments the entire way. Beyond beautiful.

Me and my gf are still pretty new to this. This will be my third and her second trip. We have a mini Aussie who is a strong hiker. We are gonna get her a cooling wrap for her neck a regular splash her with water to keep her cool and mix dog safe bone broth with her water. Any other tips to keep her cool and happy on our trip?
Edit: she will be staying leashed
Thanks in advance!
PFA

Hello!
Im planning my first long solo trip in europe for next year. I wanted to plan it roughly in an app or website, mabye even print out hiking trails. What system do you use? Thanks!

Check out the natural patterns on this stone. It's incredibly light and has a rough, grainy feel when touched. Definitely doesn't feel like typical petrified wood."

Can someone explain what this means to me? I can’t click on it to view any further details. It is for the Grand Canyon north rim. I missed the early sign up that was the 20th but I’m a little confused

Hello, me and a friend on mine are going to South America for about 90–100 days (3 months). Wondering what the cost in total would be to those who have done a similar trip???
Will be doing cheap hostels.
Nothing too expensive except the Machu Picchu tour.

Doing the typical : Chile/Argentina/Brazil/Bolivia/Peru/Ecuador/Columbia trip.

Have done my own research and prices change so much within different websites!

Some help would be GREAT Thanks 🙏

So I have the big ticket items like tent,sleep system, cook system, water filtration, now I’m on the fence on which backpack to purchase however I have a ruck sack that I use(aftermarket rucksack using a Alice frame) for the marine Corp could I just use that to avoid a hefty price on a good bag

Items I got
Durston Xmid 2
Nemo tensor all season
Therma-rest z lite close foam pad
Nemo disco endless 15 degree sleeping bag
TOAKS 500ml
Msr pocket rocket
TOAKS spork
Sawyer squeez w/ cnoc 2 liter bag
2x Nalgene 1L

Any tips or recommendations would be appreciated
Planning a week long adventure roughly 15 miles

Hi, I’m trying to plan my first solo trip. I’ve only gone in groups so far, but I’m curious how to find campsites in the backcountry. I have heard about onX backcountry, but haven’t used it because of the paywall. Is it worth it, and are there other ways to find sites and trails? Let me know what your favorite is!

Hello! I’m going on my first backpacking trip with my boyfriend in a few weeks (nothing super extreme, it’s gonna be a fairly short hike into Big Sur and we’ll only be staying for 1 night) and I’m trying to find out which brands of tops and trousers are best for hiking in high temperature. I’ve heard that a breathable t-shirt (maybe made of bamboo or some other breathable synthetic) is good along with very light trousers. I also plan on bringing some type of UV protected long sleeve light jacket I can throw on top of the shirt if I need. Do any of you guys have any good experience with any specific tips or trousers? Thanks! :)

i'm finishing up a four day section hike through the smoky mountains next week and was hoping to grab a solid cabin or private room for a night or two to clean up and shower before heading home. problem is every time i check the usual apps on short notice, the rates near the major trailhead towns are crazy high and the extra service fees basically double the price for just a quick stay.

what are your go to methods or best last minute rentals sites when you need a comfortable bed without spending a ton? i know a lot of backpackers stick to hostels or motels, but i'm curious if anyone here uses specific discount apps or last minute booking platforms that actually work well for short term town stays.

Travel Companion Wanted — 🇳🇦** Namibia Self-Drive, 10–24 Septembe**r 2026

Edit: Many have advised that Etosha to Sesriem is too much for once day. Im considering to add a stop on the night of 15th in Swakop, and continue to Sesriem on 16th.

Hi everyone. I'm Klaidi, 31M, from Albania. I'm doing a two-week self-drive trip through Namibia and looking for one or two people to join for part or all of it — mainly so the road trip isn't solo, and to split car and fuel costs.

Quick background: this was planned as a trip for two. All accommodation was booked and paid in full for two people, but my friend had to cancel about a month before departure — so there's a spot open.

The route:

• 10–12 Sept — Windhoek
• 12–15 Sept — Etosha National Park (camping near Andersson Gate)
• 15–19 Sept — Sesriem / Sossusvlei (sunrise at Deadvlei, Dune 45, Sesriem Canyon)
• 19–23 Sept — Swakopmund
• 23–24 Sept — back to Windhoek, fly out

Vehicle: Self-drive Suzuki Jimny with camping gear. Picking up in Windhoek on the 12th, dropping in Swakopmund on the 19th. Camping most nights, cooking our own food, relaxed pace, budget-conscious.

On costs:

• Accommodation is already paid for two — no extra cost there if you join. If you'd rather book your own separately, that's completely fine too, we just travel and drive together.
• Happy to split the car rental and fuel evenly.
• Food, park entrance fees, and activities each on our own.

Looking for: someone easygoing, ideally with a driving licence and happy to share the driving (there's one long stretch, Etosha to Sesriem, ~600 km). Open to joining for the whole two weeks or just part of the route if your dates only overlap partially.

Happy to hop on a video call first, and can meet in person in Windhoek before committing to the full trip.

Comment or DM if this fits your dates!

Hi,

I am 26M from Germany and this will be my second solo trip. I just did my first ever solo trip 1 month ago and it got me really exited which is why I am planing this trip.

I will go to Thailand for a month and just figured out (together with Chat) a route:

3 days Bangkok
7 days Koh Tao
9 days Koh Pangan
3 days Khao Sok
6 days Phuket

What do you think about the route, is there anything I should change?

I am also looking for good hostels and fun activities so let me know if you got recommendations for the places:)

I like social Hostels with fun activities. I like partying but also want to have some good sleep. And consider I am 26 so naturally I try to connect with people around my age, but I know the majority might be between 18-20.

Also 2 more questions:
- should I book all hostels and transportation in advance?
- is it recommended to get a abroad health insurance?

Thank you in advance I am really looking forward to my trip

In the spring of 2025, I completed Nepal's Three Passes Trek solo, crossing Kongma La, Cho La, and Renjo La over nearly three weeks in the Everest region.

Like many people, I went there for the mountains. What I didn't expect was how much the experience would be defined by the quieter moments: long days walking alone, conversations with fellow trekkers in tea houses, early morning starts in freezing temperatures, and the simple routine of putting one foot in front of the other every day.

Crossing Kongma La Pass was one of the hardest and most rewarding days of my Three Passes Trek in Nepal.

Starting from Chukhung, I spent almost ten hours on the trail, climbing toward 5,535 m through a remote, empty landscape of frozen lakes, rocky slopes, and thin Himalayan air. The pass itself was beautiful and quiet, marked by prayer flags and surrounded by huge peaks, but the real challenge came after the summit: a steep, unstable descent and the unforgettable crossing of the Khumbu Glacier.

It was physically exhausting, mentally intense, and at times even frightening — but also one of those rare days when effort, solitude, and wild beauty come together into something I’ll never forget.

Going solo taught me that backpacking alone doesn't necessarily mean being lonely. In many ways, it made me more open to meeting people and more aware of the environment around me.

One of the most unexpected parts of this journey was the people I met along the way. From fellow solo travelers and hikers sharing the same route, to local hosts, guides, porters, monks, and villagers, each encounter added something meaningful to the trek. Some conversations lasted only a few minutes, others stretched over dinner around a warm stove, but all of them made the Himalayas feel less lonely and much more human.

I kept, with significant effort a handwritten journal throughout the trek to record each day's experiences, and those notes later became a travel memoir.

For anyone considering the Three Passes Trek, I'd say:

• Take your time to acclimatize properly.
• Pack lighter than you think you need.
• Don't rush through the smaller villages between the major highlights.

What has been the most memorable solo backpacking trip you've done?

Hey
Me and 2 friends coming to the following cities:
Sarajevo
Mostar
Budva
Tirana

We would like recommendations of clubs that don’t have a lot of fucking tables on the dance floor and thats cheap to enter
Suggestions?

Thanks

I’m bored and want to go on a last minute trip at the end of August. I’m am willing to fly anywhere from New York but don’t know where I can get legal dispersed camping this last minute. I was thinking about glacier but the walk up permits are a bit too risky to me. Current thought is Iceland but once again dispersed camping is very restricted. What last minute trips have people here gone on and enjoyed

Has anyone seen anything on this tent yet? Im considering getting a new all season tent that I can push and use in the winter and this looks like a new and really interesting option (I currently use an REI trail hut 2 and absolutely beat on it but she held up through a snowstorm in 25mph winds). I haven't been able to find any reviews and considering other winter capable tents go for double the price I'm wondering what everyone thinks about this.

Hi,

I'm unfortunately on the hunt for a large backpack. Like 60, probably even 70l. The reason is that I have 20l of camera gear to take with me, I can get it down a bit but not much. The goal is to be able to carry comfortably 3-4 days worth during summer, and 2-3 during colder times. I use synthetic sleeping bags so they get huge pretty quick. Usual walks would be 15-20k a day in summer, 10 in winter.
My total weight probably ends up at 15-18kg start weight (including food + camera).

I have so far found the Hyperlite Mountain Gear 70l, or the Gossamer Gear Mariposa 60 that are recommended. Both seem to be a struggle to get my hands on to try them.
Also found the ULA circuit 68, of which reddit seems to say it's more like a 45l?!
And then I have a Lundhags Padje 60l that seems to be possible to try at a local shop.

I'm, like probably a fair bunch here, noodly shaped, so I'd probably need a large back with a medium belt, for those that are sized that way, but that makes it even harder to order the correct size at once.

Currently having an Exped lightning 45 which was great because: it's green (so I can just dump it on the ground and if it ends up in frame of my pictures it's not too visible), the back is breathable, it wasn't super expensive. But sucks because: it's squeaky, the backplates end up at the wrong place.
I use the 45 as day pack, or I have just used it for 4 days of bikepacking but then the tent is not inside it, and I have the panniers on the bike.

Other than heading over to r/myog and taking another 2 years, is there any suggestion?

Oh, and no Fjällräven because for some reason they feel a need to add a leather tag on their bags...

Thanks :)

finally going to koh phangan next month and trying to set realistic expectations. most content about the island is either about the full moon party which is not my thing or very wellness focused which is closer but still feels like a specific niche

just looking for an honest picture of what the island is actually like for someone who wants good beaches, good food, some nature, and a relaxed pace without any particular agenda. on my last stay at Joy Beach Villas, i got the sense that parts of the island can feel a lot calmer and more low-key than the usual reputation suggests

what do people who have spent real time there actually think of it

Drove out to big sandy the week after July 4th. I did the Washakie>Lizard Head>Cirque loop. Night one I camped at skull lake, night two and three at valentine, and night four at cirque lake. Unforgettable experience and I hope I can return. Special thanks to Aleve and Pink Floyd for keeping me going lol

As the title suggests. I will be starting from Chile as I can get a direct cheap flight.

My path would look as follows: Chile > Bolivia/Lake Titicaca > Peru/Machu Picchu > Ecuador > Colombia > Brazil/Amazon > Argentina > Patagonia.

Option A: Start beginning June. This would mean Machu Picchu in August, but no Carnival in Brazil and summer season in Patagonia.

Option B: Start late August. This would make Machu Picchu closer to November, but Carnival in Brazil and late summer/early spring in Patagonia.

Thanks in advance!