Erik The Black's Backpacking Blog

Looking for a new lightweight backpacking tent or shelter? Here is a list of every backpacking shelter I could find (120+ so far) that weighs under 3 pounds, including: tents, tarptents, tarps, hammocks and bivys…

The Tahoe Rim Trail is a long-distance backpacking and hiking trail that forms a 165 mile loop around Lake Tahoe. Here are some pictures from my thru-hike in the fall of 2011…

Planning a long hike and need some meal ideas? Here are five of my favorite backpacking dinner recipes for thru-hiking and overnight backpacking trips…

Lightweight backpacking isn’t all about counting grams and ounces and becoming a slave to the scale. It’s also about freeing up space in your pack for things that can make hiking more fun!

It’s hard to enjoy the great outdoors when your feet hurt. Here are a some trail-tested tips and tricks for eliminating foot pain and keeping your feet happy and healthy on your next backpacking trip…

Some of the best ultralight backpacking gear comes from small, hiker-owned businesses who design, manufacture and sell their own gear. See the latest cutting edge “cottage industry” ultralight backpacking gear here…

Planning a long hike and looking for the right backpack? Here are five lightweight backpacks that are ideal for long-distance backpacking and thru-hiking…

The Pacific Crest Trail is a long-distance backpacking and hiking trail that runs 2,650 miles from Mexico to Canada through California, Oregon and Washington. Here are some pics from my PCT adventures…

Planning a thru-hike of the Pacific Crest Trail, Appalachian Trail or other long backpacking trip? Here are some tips for getting in shape before your big hike…

The Colorado Trail is a long-distance hiking trail in Colorado’s Rocky Mountains. Here are some pictures from my thru-hike in the summer of 2010…

Here are 7 more backpacking foods that are lightweight, non-perishable and provide a high calorie-to-weight ratio, making them ideal for ultralight backpacking.

Day hiking is different from backpacking because you don’t plan to camp out, which means less gear (and less weight). But it’s still smart to bring a few essentials “just in case”. This is what I pack when I go for a day hike…

Here’s another ultralight, high calorie trail recipe. I eat this breakfast three out of five days on my long hikes. It’s inexpensive, easy to prepare, warms me up on cold mornings and provides lots of energy…

With lightweight packs the way you organize your gear affects comfort as much as what you carry. There are many ways to pack a backpack. Here’s how I pack mine…

Macaroni and Cheese is a staple dinner for long distance backpackers. It’s cheap, lightweight, easy to prepare and available virtually everywhere. It’s also pretty bland tasting. Try this recipe next time to add some flavor (and a ton of extra calories) to your “Trail Mac”…

Last week I posted an article with some tips for thru-hikers. Here is Part 2 of that series, with more information about footcare, diet, gear weight, managing finances, staying positive and not quitting…

Thru-hiking is backpacking an entire trail in a single trip. If you are planning a thru-hike here are some tips to help you succeed, with information about why hikers quit, setting priorities, pacing, scheduling, hiking your own hike and making trail friends.

A pot cozy is an essential part of the ultralight backpacker’s kitchen. This simple DIY project can help you to conserve cooking fuel, simplify and automate your trail cooking (and cleaning) and provide a convenient carrying case for your cook pot and accessories.

Unless you have experience drinking untreated back country water, it is recommended that you treat your drinking water by filtering or another method. Here are some popular water filters and purification methods…

One way to reduce your pack weight is to get rid of unnecessary gear. The other way is to replace essential gear items with lightweight alternatives. Here are five gear items you can replace to reduce your pack weight…