Many beginner backpackers start out with pre-packaged freeze-dried meals from their local outdoor stores. However they quickly realize how pricey and unsatisfying those meals can be. When I started backpacking I had the added challenge of wanting to follow a vegetarian diet. It wasn’t long before I was looking for alternate ideas of inexpensive, easy to make, tasty, and healthy backpacking meals.

Summer has arrived! Our first weekend of summer was spent in Manning Provincial Park camping with some friends. We relaxed around camp, hiked up to alpine meadows, and canoed on a beautiful lake.

Ever wondered how a thru-hiker eats or how to plan for your own longer backpacking trip? Over the years my trips have gotten longer plus I’ve had to figure out to maintain a healthy diet, take in enough calories and protein while keeping the overall food weight down. Click through to find out more!

This past weekend I got to meet up with a hiking friend and explore the north end of Olympic National Park. We made the most of our three days together. We explored the popular Hurricane Ridge area, and then enjoyed a night backcountry along the Elwah River.

Today, June 8th, is the anniversary of the 1906 Antiquities Act. This past month many protected areas of the United States have been under direct siege. On April 26, President Trump ordered the Secretary of the Interior to review over 50 national monuments created since 1996.

Hiking the John Muir Trail was an incredible experience but eventually the “mountain high” wore off. Last fall I had a crazy idea… what if I hiked the PCT through Washington? Well, I’m turning it into a reality and have been gathering my gear.