Education

Into backpacking? Thinking of giving it a go? (If so, you should check out our Backpacking 101 article here.) You may have heard the term “ultralight” tossed around from time to time. Not sure what it means? We’ll tell you. Essentially, it’s a form of backpacking that involves packing as light as humanly possible in an effort to go farther faster and with less pain and strain on your shoulders, feet and joints. It’s not for everybody (it does require giving up some creature comforts), but if you’re ready to give it a try, here are a few simple ultralight backpacking tips to get you started.

We all want the perfect campsite every time we pitch our tent: an amazing view, a nice shade tree, safe surroundings, a secluded spot so you can poop in the woods without worrying whether anyone is going to wander past…But finding the perfect site is easier said than done. Fortunately, there are ways to locate just what you want (or need) no matter where you find yourself. So here are some tips for how to find the perfect campsite whether you’re headed deep in the backcountry or setting up at a nearby state park.

Always wanted to nail the downhill? In this guest post, Asen Stoyanchev from Gear Up Hiking explains how to hike downhill to protect those muscles and joints. Because you know what they say: what comes up must come down.

Ready to start backpacking? Here’s our intro to backpacking guide to get you started out on the right foot. Or the left foot. Whichever foot you want to start on is fine. We don’t discriminate between feet.

Thinking about getting started with bikepacking? We don’t blame you—while bikepacking isn’t exactly a new phenomenon, it’s grown in popularity and trendiness in recent years as more and more people notice the benefits of using a bike to explore the great outdoors. This self-supported style of mountain biking has sparked the imagination of many adventurers seeking to experience the world in a simpler, more sustainable way.

We go on a lot of road trips here at Terradrift. Like our Austin to Alaska road trip last summer or the socially distant one we took this year to Ohio, Wisconsin and Michigan. And usually when we road trip, we camp along the way, preferring to freedom camp in favor of pricey campgrounds (lookin’ at you KOA) or hotels (especially during these pandemic days). Plus, we like to have the flexibility to stop and sleep whenever and wherever we want (forest, rest stop, Walmart parking lot…), which means we end up sleeping in our car from time to time. So we built this Prius platform that involves removing the back seats entirely for even more storage space. Finally: a road-trip ready Prius built for two.

Winter is coming. And yeah, that oft-quoted phrase carries extra negative connotations this year (thanks, COVID). But the one thing it’s always mean: it’s gonna get cold. Even down here in Texas where, I kid you not, the high today is 44º. (Don’t laugh! That’s cold for those of us who can’t run far enough south to escape cold weather!) And though winter means more people will likely be hiding indoors this season, that’s certainly not necessary. In fact, for quiet, secluded trails and lots of vacancies at campgrounds, winter is a great time to get outside and beat the crowds. But the key to keeping the cold at bay during outdoor activities this season: our outdoor guide to layering.

While it’s true that most of us aren’t traveling extensively right now, many of us are still tooling around our respective states in our trusty road-trip-mobiles, camping at nearby state parks, or playing outside in our own (sometimes literal) backyards. And it’s probably safe to say that most of us are looking forward to the day in the (hopefully) not-too-distant future when we can hop on a plane and enjoy some proper adventure travel again. Either way, it’s always a good time to talk about sustainable travel. So whether you’re just milling around town, road tripping across the state, or flying off for an international itinerary (one day…), here are some sustainable travel tips for more eco-friendly adventures, wherever they might be.

A lot of travel plans got canceled this year. International travel is largely off-limits and most people aren’t too keen on the idea of flying across the country, either. So naturally, a lot of folks are shifting travel plans to include road trips. And while we can’t in good conscience recommend you embark upon “The Great American Roadtrip” this year, a close-to-home jaunt may be an acceptable alternative (as long as you do it safely and responsibly). But driving across the country or across the state still comes with its own set of complications (even if you don’t require a passport), so we’re gonna break it down. Here’s a solid list of road trip essentials that we’ve compiled based on years of experience (and more than a few flat tires and empty peanut butter jars) and an assumption that you, as we do, will be avoiding crowded hotels in lieu of socially distant campsites this year.

We love being outside. We love it when others love being outside. We don’t love it when others don’t respect outside. So with more and more people heading outdoors these days, we thought it was high time that we discussed a few rules for the outdoors so all of us can enjoy the outdoors together. Some of these are suggestions that merely make the whole outdoor experience more pleasant for everyone involved, and some are hard and fast rules that can destroy delicate ecosystems (or your life) if not followed. So read up, then get outside and wander on!