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What do you want to know? From thru hikers to multi-sport aficionados, this is the spot to post questions to the seasoned adventurers in the Hyperlite Mountain Gear Orbit.

Mid 1 and Ultamid 1 only 3-season?
I'm wondering why the Ultamid 1 and Mid 1 are only 3-season tents when the similarly constructed Ultamid 2 and Ultamid 4 are 4-season tents.
HIKER HUNGER HANDBOOK – LET’S MAKE A COOKBOOK!
Hello, Trailheaders! We’d like to propose a community-sourced project that will benefit all of us outdoor explorer types–especially those who sometimes work up an appetite in the midst of big adventures. Show of hands–anyone here get hungry backpacking, trail running, paddling, pedaling, what-have-you? That’s what we…
FIVE THINGS: HANSI JOHNSON
Words and Photos by Hansi Johnson @Hansski @hansski43 What are Five Things you can do to become better at the activities you love outside? Whether they’re things you already know how to do and you’re passing those skills along, or they’re things on your to-do list to learn (and maybe all of you have some tips to share…
MAKE WAY WHEN THE SUN’S SHININ’ – A CASE FOR UP AN’ AT ‘EM ON TRAIL
Words and Photos by @Abby_Evans @abbigator53 It wasn't until a week into my Appalachian Trail thru hike that I realized the hikers that were able to do the most miles were typically waking up really early. (Or they didn't mind night hiking, but that just was not me.) When I started my day earlier, I was able to have more…
FIVE THINGS: REBECCA SPERRY
Words and Photos by Rebecca Sperry @sockedinhikes What are Five Things you can do to become better at the activities you love outside? Whether they’re things you already know how to do and you’re passing those skills along, or they’re things on your to-do list to learn (and maybe all of you have some tips to share about…
Ground Control to Major Trip Planning in Arizona
SPOILER!!! This is how the trip went in video form. It's a bit like skipping to the last page of a book if you watch this first, but I won't judge: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pIJ7z2NkTPg The ship is waiting I was listening to Peter Schilling’s Major Tom while planning my next trip, and despite the fact that Bowie’s…
FIVE NEEDS AND FIVE DIDN’T NEEDS FROM THE CONTINENTAL DIVIDE TRAIL
Words and Photos from Tina Currin (@tina) Hello from mile 2,000+ of the CDT, arguably the most rugged and remote of the “big three” American long-distance trails. As such, there’s a lot of mythology surrounding this trail, including lots of information—and misinformation—to challenge you before your shoes even hit the…
APPALACHIAN TRAIL VS PACIFIC CREST TRAIL: MAJOR PREPARATION DIFFERENCES
Words and Photos by Abbigale Evans @abbigator53 The Appalachian Trail and the Pacific Crest Trail are two of the most popular thru hikes in the United States. After thru hiking the AT, I've set my sights on the PCT this next summer. My preparation for the AT paid off—I was able to complete the trail with a few hiccups…
What to Get The Hiker in Your Life For The Holidays
The holidays can be both a magical and stressful time of year. And now that we are deep in the trenches of the holiday shopping season, I figured it would be a great time to share some of the random (and not very expensive) things that I would love to find in my Christmas stocking in a few weeks. Shopping for a hiker is…
Snow Camping
After another year of backpacking, I've drifted towards a new reality...I'm not satisfied. Perhaps I didn't get out as much as I'd have liked, but the reality is the sun is pretty much gone for the next half a year, and I just can't settle for the wait. I ski, ski tour, and mountaineer to stay busy through the colder…
Cross Training to be a Better Hiker
I am not athletic. Or, that’s what I’ve been telling myself (and everyone else) my entire life. And although in many ways I still hold to that statement, after all the hiking I’ve done in the last eight years, to an outsider it would seem like I am not just athletic, but an athlete. But being active has never come natural…
BE BOLD, START COLD: MY TIPS FOR STAYING WARM IN COLD WEATHER BACKPACKING
Words and Photos from @Abby_Evans @abbigator53 Backpacking in the cold can be just as fun as backpacking in the summer—if you're not shivering. Here are a few tips on how you can still have fun and not freeze your butt off. EAT MORE SNACKS What backpacker needs to be convinced to eat more snacks?! (Me, because I struggled…
What To Eat On Trail In Colder Temperatures
It’s not even the middle of October yet but as anyone from New England will tell you that doesn’t mean it’s not unheard of to get winter weather on the high peaks. While bringing the proper gear is imperative to having a safe and fun hike, there’s something to be said for carrying the right kinds of food (and drinks) to…
Slot Canyon Photography Hack (iPhone)
So you're saving weight and want to capture the moment? Your awesome DSLR can do the trick but it's heavy and takes some fiddling in Lightroom to really get what you were after. Why not use your smartphone? I technically have my studio art degree and have formally studied photography so when I'm hiking I'm taking a "real"…
INCREASING SPEED FROM 30 TO 10: THE EVOLUTION OF A BASE WEIGHT ON THE APPALACHIAN TRAIL
Words and Photos from Abbigale Evans When I first started my Appalachian Trail thru hike, everything hurt. I woke up two days after the approach trail and could barely walk. My feet flared with intense pain every time I took a step — I wasn't even past the first thirty miles, and plantar fasciitis had taken hold of them.…
Healing through an injury
Summertime. Warm weather. Longer days. Better moods. More opportunities to get outside. Just typing about it gives me goosebumps. While I find that each season has its speciality, and a surplus of things to do/enjoy - summer is by far my favorite. I may complain about being extremely sweaty while I trudge up the side of a…
Things To Consider When Planning A More Complicated Hiking Route
There is no question that over the last three years I have spent a significant amount of time planning more and more complicated hiking routes. With over 6,000 miles under my feet exclusively in New England, (and over 99% of those miles solo) I have learned a lot and made many mistakes along the way. But as I close out my…
Crevasse Rescue In the Age of Glacial Recession
Each year, I find myself saying nearly the same thing, "I can't believe how much this place has changed." The unfortunate reality is that each time I say it, it's in response to the not-so-gradual recession of our glaciers and snow fields. Early season climbs now look more like mid to late season climbs, and late season…
HOW TO TAKE BETTER PHOTOS OUTSIDE
First off, let me say I'm writing this after reading Michael DeYoung's amazing article, Tips to Greatly Improve Your Trail and Backcountry Photography. He had some great tips that you should definitely check out. I thought it would be good to share a different perspective focusing on three main ways to take better photos…
KAT'S GOT YOUR BACK: YOGA FOR SOME LOWER BACK LOVE
Words and Video from Kat Englishman @KathEnglishman In this practice focused on relieving lower back pain on the trail, we’re going to focus on releasing tension in the hips. Confused yet? Stay with me! A little-known fact about the lower back is its close relationship with the pelvis. Like all parts of our body, these two…
Ultamid 2 for Glacial Camping in the PNW
Hey, all! Acquired an Ultamid 2 earlier this year and have been loving that mid-life! I’m headed to Washington next week and will likely be doing some camping on glaciers on both Glacier Peak and Mount Shuksan. I’ve got some 8” nail stakes from Big Sky that are fantastic for my Norma backpacking and hiking uses of the UM2,…
A LOVING NUDGE: TIPS FOR SHARING ADVENTURES WITH LESS OBSESSED ADVENTURERS
Words and Photos from Peter Bugg @bugglife Hello, fellow Adventurers! Do any of you have non-adventurous, or less-adventurous significant others that you would like to nudge outside of their comfort zones? After almost 17 years with my lovely-but-safety-focused wife Melissa, I’ve picked up some tips that may help you…
EATS WITH PRIDE! FIVE SIGNS IT'S TIME TO LEVEL UP YOUR BACKCOUNTRY BREAKFAST
We're stoked to introduce Hillary Pride (@eatswithpride) and her extensive knowledge about most every active person's favorite thing–FOOD! In this and future posts, she'll touch on topics from isolating potential opportunities for caloric consumption adjustments or enhancements to recipes that you'll totally look forward…
TAKE A KNEE, CAMPERS. HOW TO ALLEVIATE PAIN WITH KAT ENGLISHMAN
Words and Video from @KathEnglishman Photo: Chris Bennett Dealing with knee pain while hiking is frustrating to say the least. In fact, knee pain, or any persistent pain on the trail can really suck, and it’s easy to let your mind get sucked into a downward spiral of anger and negativity at the situation—but don’t. Pain is…
TIPS TO GREATLY IMPROVE YOUR TRAIL AND BACKCOUNTRY PHOTOGRAPHY WITH MICHAEL DEYOUNG
Words and Photos by Michael DeYoung @michaeldeyoung Sunrise storm along the CDT near Wolf Creek Pass, Colorado. Camping in the alpine subjects you to the full fury of storms. But clearing storms at sunset or sunrise and approaching storms at sunrise, as is the case here, often result in the best and most dramatic light.…
THERE’S A METHOD TO THE MILEAGE: QUADZILLA GETS INTO THE PURSUIT OF THRU HIKING
Early this spring, we had the distinct pleasure of an HQ visit from the one and only Jack “Quadzilla” Jones. Fresh off the completion of his 2022 Calendar Year Triple Crown, he was still reeling from the experience and organizing his thoughts about every aspect of the journey, from logistics, efficiency boosters, physical…
SOME MUSINGS ON FORGING ADVENTURE PARTNERSHIPS
Words and Photos by Brett Davis @bdavis I made a mistake the other day of overhearing a couple of my students gossip about their adventures in dating and seeking out a true relationship. From meeting in class to swiping left or right on an app, their stories were quite enlightening about the state of today’s dating world.…
TEACHING THE TRAIL
Words & Photos by Tyler “Waterboy” Cosgrove The following is not a, “How to Go Backpacking for Beginners” guide. Rather, this is an article for experienced backpackers taking their first newcomer out. I’ll go over a few things to help the experienced backpacker better the experience of the newcomer. I will talk vaguely of…
BETTER GEAR + EXPERIENCE = FARTHER DISTANCE: THE IMPORTANT ROLE OF THE RIGHT EQUIPMENT
Words and Photos by Rebecca Sperry We all see them on the trail and internally (or externally) cringe. Maybe they have on a backpack; maybe they’re just carrying a water bottle. Their footwear might be sneakers, or, in some cases, everyday sandals, and as seasoned hikers, we can’t help but judge (or worry about) them. I…
WHEN YOU'RE GOOD AND READY: PRE-SEASON YOGA WITH KAT ENGLISHMAN
Words & Video by Kat Englishman, Photo by Joe Klementovich The best and the worst part about hiking, backpacking, and traversing across rocky, untamed ground is the instability and challenge of navigating an uneven surface. In our everyday life, sidewalks and pathways are smoothed over to make walking easy. There aren’t…
TWO PEAS, BUNCHA PODS: AN INTRO TO THE NATURE OF HIKING AS A COUPLE
Words & Photos by Tina Haver Currin Long-distance hiking is all about blood and guts, exposure, and pain. It’s about falling asleep with the sun, drinking beer for breakfast, and proudly knocking back snacks so dense they’re explicitly labeled “not a low-calorie food.” It’s about listening to all fourteen hours of 50…
YOGA TO REJUVENATE AND STRENGTHEN YOUR SHOULDERS (ON AND OFF THE TRAIL)
Where our bias lies in terms of contributing to the pursuit of better travel and life outdoors is pretty straightforward. It’s certainly not lost on us, though, primarily through our experiences and those of our kindred explorers, that there’s a LOT that goes into making endeavors into the backcountry successful. Know-how…
MUD IS THICKER THAN WATER: WHERE BIKES MEET BOATS
Words and photos by Huw Oliver Huw Oliver and Annie Evans are highly experienced bikepackers, packrafters, and route finders often undertaking pursuits that require all three skillsets in abundance. Here, Huw gets into some of the planning details he utilizes when deciding how to travel through a chosen environment, what…
OFF-SEASON GEAR CARE + STORAGE
Cabins, barns, attics, garages or closets all work for storing your outdoor gear. Taking care of and storing our outdoor gear is an art we’re still trying to master. After all, outdoor gear is an investment, and for the sake of the environment (and your bank account), you want it to go the distance to avoid repeatedly…
JUST ADD WATER BACKPACKING RECIPES
Words by Kendra "Lay's" Perkins A thru hiker would tell you that food selection is less about nutrition and more about cost, convenience, and taste. Not that the two are always mutually exclusive, but when they are, it’s a question of whether you’d prefer a $1.00 honeybun from Dollar General or a $3.00 granola bar from…
OVERCOMING THE FEAR OF HIKING SOLO: TIPS FROM REBECCA SPERRY
Words & Photos by Rebecca Sperry In the past six years since I started hiking, I've spent over 90% of my time on trail hiking solo. I choose to go solo for a variety of reasons (it's easier, I can go at my own pace, I like being alone in the woods, etc.). However, the original decision to go it alone was not because I was…
KEEP YOUR FEET ON THE GAS: HOW TO RESUPPLY LIKE A CHAMP ON A THRU HIKE, PART 3
Words & Photos from Eloise Robbins Not surprisingly, food plays a dominant role in any adventure! Depending on where you're going, it may not always be a straightforward process to make sure you can consume it. Food is one of the most challenging things to plan, especially if you're particular about what you eat. What…
THE NATURE OF FINE-TUNING: MOVING ONWARD FROM SUMMER INTO FALL
Long-time friend of Hyperlite Mountain Gear, Brad Meiklejohn, keeps his downtime to a minimum as he moves through the seasons with time-tested transitional habits. With an unquenchable thirst for wild places, he prefers to get into them in an ultralight, minimalist fashion. However, different seasons have different…
Metabolic Flexibility For Adventurers
Metabolic Flexibility for Adventurers -Bjørn Olson A wet sucking sound accompanied each step as I lifted my foot up and out of the spongy tundra. I’d then test the space between the pillowy jack-o’-lantern sized tussocks to locate the least-wet place to set my foot, then heave my laden fat-bike forward before taking the…
Finding Trust On Unsure Footing
Lately I've been coming up against a challenge related to the alpine that actually occurs before I ever have the chance to step foot on snow or ice. It does, however, have just as much baring on my safety and experience as any other choice I make during a climb. The challenge is a simple one that I have yet to find a…
FEEL THE RHYTHM! TEN TIPS FOR THRIVING OUTSIDE THIS WINTER
Words and Photos by Taylor Bracher When the going gets cold, Taylor Bracher gets moving, continually building on a skillset that allows her to enjoy her Alaska Winters to the maximum. Wherever you experience your cold time of the year, the tips and tricks she shares in this post can help you put an end to the idea of…
THE HORROR OF SESAME SEEDS: HIKERS, LYME DISEASE, AND TIPS TO SURVIVE AND THRIVE
Words & Photos by Matthew Morelli They are tiny; they are everywhere. Drop your guard a little while exhausted in the backcountry or just while walking your dog at the park, and it can have life-changing implications. Lyme Disease is a bacterium carried by deer ticks that, at their biggest, reach the size of a sesame seed.…
PLAY TO YOUR STRENGTHS! YOGA TO INCREASE POWER AND STAMINA FOR SUCCESSFUL OUTDOOR PURSUITS
Words & Video by Katherine Englishman // Photo by Joe Klementovich No matter what it is, every outdoor pursuit requires a certain amount of strength to do it and enough stamina to see it through. We all have varying levels of skill, ability, and of course, different objectives in mind. However, the essence of feeling…
KEEP YOUR FEET ON THE GAS: HOW TO RESUPPLY (AND EAT) LIKE A CHAMP ON A THRU HIKE, PART 2
Words and Photos from Eloise Robbins Tell anyone you hike long distances, and one of the first questions they'll ask you is about food. What do you eat? How do you carry all of your food for five months? (Spoiler alert, you don't.) How much does it weigh? And aren't you hungry? Food is one of the most challenging things to…
DO IT FOR THE TOOTSIES: YOGA TO RELIEVE FOOT PAIN WITH KAT ENGLISHMAN
Words and Video by Kat Englishman Photo: Joe Klementovich (@klementovich) You’re halfway through mile eight with four more to go until you get to camp, where you can tear off your hiking shoes as fast as humanly possible. With every step, there seems to be a new spot on your foot that yelps in pain as you hike, and all you…
KEEP YOUR FEET ON THE GAS: HOW TO RESUPPLY LIKE A CHAMP ON A THRU HIKE, PART 1
Words & Photos by Eloise Robbins Tell anyone you hike long distances, and one of the first questions they'll ask you is about food. What do you eat? How do you carry all of your food for five months? (Spoiler alert, you don't.) How much does it weigh? And aren't you hungry? Food is one of the most challenging things to…
SO, YOU'VE GOT A THRU HIKER IN YOUR LIFE. NOW WHAT?
Words and Photos from Tina Haver Currin With longer days, hotter afternoons, and the dreaded arrival of biting insects, late spring is once again sliding into summer—which also means it’s thru hiking season. Northbound (NOBO) hikers are at least a few weeks into their treks, while southbound (SOBO) hikers are likely…
LET’S MEET IN THE MIDDLE: HIP STABILITY AND STRETCHING FOR THE TRAIL
Words and Video by Kat Englishman, Photo by Joe Klementovich One of the quintessential ailments of a hiker and backpacker is feeling tight in the hips, hamstrings, and lower back muscles. It makes sense that these would be hurtin’ when you think about the effort it takes to walk uphill and back down again. The body works…
A LIFE OF MILES: JEFF GARMIRE HAS SOMETHING QUICK TO SAY ABOUT THE FKT
Words & photos by Jeff Garmire Thirty thousand miles and always counting, give or take a few yards or inches, all done on foot. Jeff Garmire (@thefreeoutside) is still heading out whenever he can to "make up for 2020." Some of these miles were racked up diesel engine-style, nice and steady, all day long. Some were covered…
ZAC BOSTON'S GUIDE TO HIKING THE MAINE 4,000-FOOTERS IN SEVEN DAYS, MAYBE LESS
Words and Photos by Zac Boston One of our favorite local dudes, Zac Boston, is nothing if not goal oriented. Just before leaving for a southbound hike of the Appalachian Trail, he was kind enough to share this awesome “how-to” about summitting all the 4,000-foot peaks of Maine in a way that fits in nicely with modern, busy…
CAPTURING THAT CRISP AUTUMN LIGHT: TIPS FOR SHOOTING PHOTOGRAPHY IN FALL
Words & Photos from Michael DeYoung A person can have all the top-of-the-line backpacking gear. However, good equipment doesn’t guarantee a smooth and successful adventure, nor does it compensate for experience, knowledge, and judgment. The pursuit of excellence in photography is no different. Real growth as a photographer…
SMOOTH OPERATOR: HOW TO MAXIMIZE BACKPACKING EFFICIENCY WITH GARRETT MARTIN
Words and Photos by Garrett Martin Hyperlite Mountain Gear Superbud, Garrett "Pricepoint" Martin (@somedudewalking), has picked up a thing or two about using time wisely on his thru hike of the Appalachian Trail and this summer's journey up the Pacific Crest Trail. When life is about constant movement, shortcuts and…
SAVINGS YOU CAN FEEL: TINA CURRIN'S TOP TIPS FOR GETTING ULTRALIGHTER ON THE CHEAP
Words and Photos by Tina Currin If ultralight backpacking has a reputation for anything, it's tiny gear at a hefty price. Dive into any heady discussion with ultralight enthusiasts and you'll eventually find someone running calculations of cost per ounce; that is, how much they're willing to spend to reduce their load by…
FOR EVERY SEASON, THERE IS A THING: PACKING FOR FALL HIKING WITH REBECCA SPERRY
Words and Photos by Rebecca Sperry In 2015, I started hiking solo and vowed that I would never hike once the seasons began to change. By 2016, I was buying microspikes and researching cold-weather gear and haven’t looked back. There is no off-season for hiking, so long as you have the proper equipment and good…
MAKE WAY WHILE THE SUN'S SHINING - A SELECTION OF FAVORITE DAY HIKES
Even though we are known for designing and producing ultralight backcountry gear that lets you get away for a long while, let’s face it, the hustle of modern life cares not for how long you’d always like your escapes to last. You need to get your outdoor fix within the time you’ve got, and a great day hike – if only…
THE OTHER KIND OF THRU HIKER FUNK: ADAPTING TO LIFE AFTER THE TRAIL
Words & Photos by Garrett Martin Disclaimer: I am not a psychologist, and everything in the following article is anecdotal and from my own experiences and opinions. There are many other articles and resources on Post-Trail Depression, and if you feel like I might have missed something or undervalued some aspect of life…
Looking for feedback on an App I am building: Don't Forget The Spoon
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