The Salkantay Trek is a stunning high-altitude route through the Peruvian Andes, reaching 4,650m over Salkantay Pass before descending into lush cloud forest and finishing at the gates of Machu Picchu. The changing conditions and terrain make smart layering essential! I hiked the[...]
The Inca Trail is one of the most iconic multi-day hikes in the world, a 4-day pilgrimage through cloud forest and along ancient stone steps to reach Machu Picchu at sunrise. With steep terrain, high elevation, and wildly variable conditions, having the right gear is absolutely essential for any hi[...]
Rising to 3,286m (10,781ft) in the heart of Washington’s North Cascades, Mt Baker is one of the premier alpine objectives in the US, famous for its sprawling glaciers and stunning summit views. Although it’s often considered a beginner-friendly glacier climb, Baker still demands[...]
Tucked away in the Canadian Rockies, Mt Assiniboine Provincial Park delivers one of the most spectacular backcountry adventures in North America— linking multi-day hiking, alpine scrambles, and technical mountaineering into one unforgettable journey. From the wildflower meadows aro[...]
Mt Triglav is the highest mountain in Slovenia and the crown jewel of Triglav National Park, but despite the short distance from trailhead to peak, the demanding via ferrata routes, high exposure, and alpine conditions mean your gear needs to be dialled in to reach the summit.[...]
Argentina’s Los Glaciares National Park is a Patagonian dreamscape of jagged granite peaks, teal glacial lakes, and wild, windswept valleys. But even on a short backpacking trip near El Chaltén, you’ll need to pack carefully to handle strong winds, sudden storms, and major[...]
Tasmania’s Overland Track is a 6-day wilderness adventure through cradle-shaped mountains, misty rainforest, and button-grass plains, undoubtedly the best multi-day hike in Australia. The scenery is wildly diverse, and so is the weather— which means you’ll need gear that’s&nb[...]
Iceland’s Laugavegur Trail takes you from rainbow rhyolite mountains to volcanic deserts to moss-covered canyons, crossing some of the most surreal and otherworldly terrain in the world. With unpredictable weather, river crossings, and fully exposed campsites, your gear needs to be read[...]
Famous for its jagged spires, relentless winds, and show-stopping views, Torres del Paine National Park is Patagonia at its most iconic. Whether you’re hiking the 5-day W-Trek or committing to the full 8-day O-Circuit, you’ll need gear that can handle everything from sideways rain to blaz[...]
Circling the base of Western Europe’s highest peak, the Tour du Mont Blanc is a long-distance classic— traversing three countries, multiple cols, and some of the dreamiest scenery in the Alps. With long trail days, big elevation gain, and fickle mountain weather, your gear needs[...]
For serious hikers and those hoping to discover unrivalled natural beauty in Peru, the 135km Huayhuash Circuit is one of the most spectacular alpine trekking routes in the entire world. It’s definitely a challenge, taking most hikers 8-12 days to complete the full loop— but the feeling of[...]
With its alpine passes, glacial valleys, and some of the best wildflower displays in the Rockies, the Teton Crest Trail easily earns its place as one of America’s most iconic hikes. I hiked a custom adventure route of the Teton Crest Trail in August 2022 over 5 days and this post breaks down exa[...]
Mexico’s third-highest volcano, Iztaccíhuatl (5,230m) is an absolute stunner— an endlessly scenic ridgeline climb with panoramic views over the Valley of Mexico and an up-close look at her active neighbour, Popocatépetl. But with all that beauty comes a very long summit da[...]
Mexico’s highest peak and the third tallest in North America, Pico de Orizaba (5,636m) is a striking stratovolcano known for its steep glacier, thin air, and panoramic summit views that stretch across half the country. But don’t be fooled by the short approach— summit day on Orizaba[...]
At 4,392m (14,411ft), Mt Rainier is the most glaciated peak in the continental US and a serious proving ground for aspiring alpinists. Between crevasse fields, rockfall risk, extreme exposure, and a 12+ hour summit push, every item in your pack has to balance warmth, weight, and safety— especiall[...]
Straddling the border of France, Italy, and Switzerland, Mont Blanc (4,809m) is the undisputed monarch of the Alps. For all her dramatic beauty, climbing this mountain is no hike (and certainly not to be confused with the epic Tour du Mont Blanc trail). On a summit climb, you can expect substantial[...]
High winds, brutal cold, relentless sun, and up to 20 days of food and gear— Aconcagua isn’t just a mental and physical challenge, it’s one of the most logistically demanding expeditions to pack for. The margin for error shrinks with every metre of altitude gained, so gear choices matter here[...]
Packing food for any backcountry trip is a balancing act between weight, space in your pack, nutritional needs, and the logistical realities of cooking outdoors. Needless to say, there’s no one-size-fits-all backcountry food list—and this post isn’t an attempt to tell you exactly what yo[...]
When you’re hiking long distances, carrying weight, navigating scree fields, or climbing snowy ridgelines, the right pair of shoes can make or break your experience. And while no single boot will work for every trip, there are a few key things to understand when choosing the best option for your[...]
Hiking clothing is incredibly personal and obviously comes down to individual comfort and style preferences, but outdoor layers are something else entirely— layering is about essential safety, with base layers, mid-layers, jackets, and shells designed to protect you from the elements in[...]