Adventure Upgrades: Hike Smarter and Farther

Take your backpacking to the next level. Our experts craft custom plans for readers who asked for help with navigation, winter camping, thru-hiking, and more.

Author:: Kristy Holland
Publish date:: Jan 4, 2012
Updated on: Feb 14, 2017

Ready for the next level, but don’t know where to start? Try these tips we customized for six readers who wanted to elevate their skills. Go bigger and hike smarter with advice from experts on navigation, family camping, gear maintenance, thru-hiking, cooking, and winter camping.

Thru-Hike a Long Trail

Cook Like a Pro

Camp Comfortably in Winter

Make Gear Last

Take the Family Hiking and Camping

Navigate Off Trail

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Kids: How-to Guides

Use these tricks to get your kids begging for another trip outside.

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Extend your backpacking season: Here's how to stay warm and protect your gear.

Prep for success, plan ahead, and stay healthy to pull off a month-plus trek.

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Adventure Travel

Kick it up a notch with these quick fixes.

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Pack and prepare a week's worth of mouth-watering meals.

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Open up a new door to adventure–by leaving the well-trod route behind.

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We asked a few of our favorite pros how to fix some common backcountry annoyances

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We were hoping to start thru-hiking the AT when our child reaches age two and half, but is that too young?

Beginner Skills

Learn how to stay dry in a storm, navigate without a compass, and walk right.