Guthook Guides Blog

A dull knife can become more dangerous than a sharp knife so it's important to know how to keep your knife sharp to maintain its full utility.

It's always important to check the most current TSA rules before traveling to your thru-hiking or backpacking destination by plane.

The insect repellant, Permethrin, is designed for clothing and is effective against mosquitoes, ticks, spiders, chiggers, and mites.

We tested the holding power of four of the most popular and commonly used tent stakes to see how they performed. Here is what we found...

If you have tent stakes that are silver and are not colored at the top, they will likely be hard to see when you put them in the ground. Try this easy hack!

There are four basic types of commonly used tent stakes: the Y-stake, V-stake, Shepherd's Hook stake, and the nail stake.

Every thru-hiker and backpacker should carry a knife. The best knife is one that can carry out multiple functions and remain lightweight.

We have identified two types of water containers you should avoid and two types you should consider using for your next thru-hike or backpacking trip.

If you are going on an overnight backpacking trip or a thru-hike, you should really carry a shovel with you to dig your cat holes.

Before every hike you should carefully inspect all your backpacking equipment to make sure everything is in good working order. For thru-hikers, gear should be thoroughly inspected and maintained at every town stop along their hike.

If you are hiking the entire PCT or CDT, you will likely need an ice axe at some point. Learn how to securely attach one to your backpack.

In this experiment we tested out the maximum amount of fluid a WAG (Waste Alleviation and Gelling) bag could absorb.

A hiker box is a box or area where hikers, trail angels, or others leave items for other hikers. They can be filled with all types of things.

In some hiking areas, people are leaving a negative impact by littering toilet paper. The outdoor bidet can help alleviate this problem.

Certain equipment is so important it deserves to be carried on every hike. This list of essential hiking items can be a lifesaver if you're ever in an emergency.

The ability to find the North Star (Polaris) in the night sky is a very important navigational skill. Here is how to find it...

Like the Earth, the Moon is always half illuminated by the Sun. Here are the eight phases of the Moon and what they look like...

Some trails you can hike all year round, but other trails are best hiked during specific seasons. See when the best time to hike each of our trails is, and start planning your next hike today!

It's important to know how to safely do laundry in the outdoors. If you're a thru-hiker keeping your socks clean should be a top priority.

We compared four headlamps so you can see the advantages and disadvantages of the different types. The ideal headlamp for your hike will depend on your individual needs.

In a pinch, you can use duct tape to repair a tear, but for a more permanent repair I recommend using repair tape.

It's super important to keep your water bottles clean on your thru-hike. Using bleach crystals is an easy, lightweight solution.

If backwashing your Sawyer water filter doesn't help clear it, you might have calcium deposits. Try this easy trick to fix it.

You know that feeling when you have to go, but can't find a good place to drop a load off? Using a WAG bag is the perfect solution!

There are now hundreds of different types of backpacking headlamps. By following these five basic steps you should be able to find a headlamp that works for you.

We reviewed the PETZL e+LITE emergency headlamp and found it is incredibly light and puts out a minimum amount illumination.

The PETZL Tactikka 300 lumen headlamp puts out enough illumination for night hiking the less groomed trails.

A lumen is a measure of the total quantity of visible light emitted by a light source. Generally the higher lumens the better illumination.

We reviewed the Princeton Tec Byte 200 lumen headlamp and found it is lightweight & puts out a good amount of illumination for night hiking.

We reviewed the Princeton Tec Byte 100 lumen headlamp and found it is lightweight and puts out just enough illumination for night hiking.

Rebecca Sperry, AKA "Sockedin" on trail, is in the process of hiking all of the trails in the White Mountains, known as "tracing." She shares why she thinks hiking less-traveled trails is an eye-opening experience.

We tested five of the most popular lightweight backpacking stoves in various controlled wind conditions to see which stove performed the best in fuel efficiency and boil times.

The Middle East, Canada, and South America are all beautiful places to thru-hike! Our 5 hiking guides provide an array of diverse hikes.

Central US is a prime place to thru-hike! Our 6 hiking guides offer a plethora of diverse and beautiful hikes.

The West Coast is the perfect place to explore! Our 11 hiking guides offer an abundance of diverse and beautiful hikes.

Australia and New Zealand are a hiker's paradise. With an amazing variety of natural landscapes, our 9 hiking guides offer an array of regional hikes.

From the Appalachian Trail to the thousands of miles of trails in the White Mountain National Forest, the East Coast is a hiker's dream.

Have you ever wanted to go on a thru-hike in Europe or the UK? Check out these 10 incredible trails!

We tested the newly released Jetboil Stash backpacking stove and this is what we found.

We tested three of the most popular disposable lighters based on cost, weight, packed dimensions, and number of lights. Find out which one was rated the best.

The BIC full sized lighter is the most common disposable lighter in the United States. We ran some tests to see how long it would last.

The Clipper Mini lighter is a compact, refillable lighter popular in Europe and the UK. We ran some tests to see how long the Clipper Mini lighter would last.

The CDTC is adding two more trails to the Gila Wilderness alternates, improving safety and reducing overuse.

Coming from people who know everything there is to know about thru-hiking and long-distance backpacking, we decided to give you our top 6 lightweight and practical tips to consider on your next big hike.

We know that in order to use our app out on the trail, you have to keep your phone battery alive! Here are some tips to try and keep your phone from dying quickly while you’re out hiking off the grid.

A luxury item can make a huge difference on your thru-hike. Here are some items you may want to consider bringing with you on your next thru-hike or backpacking trip.

Preparing for a thru-hike can be overwhelming if you don't have a plan. Here are 8 steps to get you started on your incredible journey.

We tested the difference between five different diameter pots to see if one size performed better than another. This is what we learned...

I always wondered whether I should leave my stove connected to my fuel canister or if it was better to take it off. Here's what I found...

We talked to some of our favorite thru-hikers about their experiences and advice for newer hikers. Here is what we learned.

Regular glasses cases are heavy. We came up with a better, more ultralight idea for you to consider on your thru-hiking or backpacking trip.

As one of the most popular lighters for thru-hiking and backpacking, we decided to conduct a test and see how long a BIC Mini lighter would last.

We analyzed the calorie density of 12 different backpacking food items to illustrate the theoretical maximum number of calories that can be placed in a BearVault BV500 bear canister.

What are the highest and lowest points on the Triple Crown Trails (Pacific Crest Trail, Appalachian Trail, and Continental Divide Trail)? Find out by taking a look at our elevation profile data.

Are you going to bring a bear canister on your next thru-hike or backpacking trip? Here are some helpful tips to consider!

Snickers bars are a very popular thru-hiking and backpacking food because of the high-calorie density they have. We decided to test it out and see how many Snickers we could fit into the average bear canister.

While many folks are familiar with the Pacific Crest Trail, the west coast of the United States is home to a number of other notable thru-hikes.

Calculate how many calories you'll burn while hiking and plan how much food you'll need to bring on your trip using our Calorie & Food Weight Calculator.

We tested five of the most popular lightweight backpacking stoves to see which performed the best and which is the most affordable.

The Soto WindMaster was the overall best ultralight stove tested. Here is what we tested and why it ranked #1.

The Snow Peak LiteMax was the lightest stove tested and the easiest to assemble and disassemble but had long boil times compared to the other stoves tested.

The Soto Amicus performed well at an affordable price while being one of the lightest stoves tested. It also compacts up nicely and is easy to assemble.

The MSR PocketRocket Deluxe was the second best performing ultralight stove tested.

The MSR PocketRocket 2 is probably one of the most used stoves for long distance backpacking. It has a reputation for being durable and getting the job done.

Should you carry the cap that comes with your fuel canister? We describe the reasons you should.

As one of the (if not the) only true coastal wilderness experiences in the contiguous US, the 24 miles of the Lost Coast Trail is unparalleled in its magic.

I analyzed the differences between the MSR IsoPro, Snow Peak Giga Power, OLicamp and the Jet Boil Jetpower fuel canisters to see which performed the best.

How much does a thru-hike cost? We put together a thru-hike cost calculator so you can estimate the cost of your next long-distance hike based on your own hiking style.

The best way to make your fuel last is to follow these five simple stove tips. Doing so can potentially double the life of your fuel canister.

One of the most important knots a hiker can learn is called the "Sheet Bend." This knot is great for joining two lines together and can be very useful while out on the trail.

The best way to determine how much fuel you will need while hiking is to test your stove at home before your hike. Here are some equations to help you out.

Leave No Trace is a broad set of principles that we should all use to guide our outdoor behavior. Here is our take on the Seven Principles as they apply to no-impact hiking.

Cooking a meal on the trail can be more difficult than cooking meals at home. Here are some tips and hacks to convert your cooking pot into a measuring cup.

A backpacking spoon is one of the most cherished pieces of gear a hiker carries. We tested seven different spoons for performance, price, and weight to help you make your utensil decision!

When it comes to purchasing backpacking food, taking advantage of warehouse stores like Costco or Sams Club can save time and money. Here are some tips to help you shop smart for your hike.

When hiking or backpacking, it's very important to understand more about lightning and thunder to help keep you and your trail family safe.

Town food can be one of the most expensive parts of long-distance hiking. Here are some tips on where to eat and how to best spend your money when in town.

Dahn Pratt, a Triple Crown hiker, reviews his initial impression and experience with a SlingFin SplitWing UL Tarp in the Canadian Shield.

This post covers one of the most expensive things you can do in town: stay the night. Here are options from camping outside of town to staying in a motel.

We've collected permit information for nearly all of the trails we offer guides to. Permits can be complicated, and we aim to make it simpler for you!

Preparing food for a long backpacking trip can be overwhelming. We provide some tips on how to choose the right food for you!

This blog post considers different body weights and hiking styles to provide a better estimate of the number of calories you will burn while backpacking.

Paul conducted an experiment to set out and see if he can provide scientific evidence that a lighter shoe is better for long-distance hiking.

Dahn thru-hiked the CDT in 95 days in between spending six weeks off-trail at four different weddings.

We decided that it was time we shared OUR Trail Story with you all. From 1997 until now, here is the story of how our company was started and the journey we took to get to where we are today.

What is the optimal break time when you want to hike big miles?

Fidgit examines decisions to postpone or cancel a long distance hike through the lens of ancient Central and South American mythology and a 20,000 mile trans-American journey.

Rabbit, a.k.a. Rachael DeLano, decided to put her plans to hike the Arizona Trail, West Highland Way, Colorado Trail, and the OR section of the PCT on hold.

Dahn Pratt shares practical advice on hiking and trail culture along Te Araroa. A 1,800 mile (3,000km) hike through both islands of New Zealand.

Chris and Kimberly, a.k.a. Cyclops and McGoober, were getting ready to start their thru-hike on the Continental Divide Trail when they made a hard decision to postpone their hike.

CATlas Guides now let's you Check-in with your cat and see what paw-some adventures they go on. Just kitten! We hope our April Fools joke made you smile!

Phill Toomasian, a.k.a. "Flamingo", was attempting a Calendar Year Triple Crown until he had to get off the Appalachian Trail due to COVID-19.

A Triple Crown hiker, explains his decision to bring a Deschutes Zero-G shelter on his 2019 thru-hike of the Continental Divide Trail.

Here are step-by-step instructions to send a Check-in in the new social feature in your Android and iPhone Guthook Guides app.

Originally written for The Trek. Trail mix is a hiking staple: easy to make and eat. It can get a little monotonous, though, so why not try a variety?

Mindy Bell shares her experiences exploring England as she hiked on the Cotswold Way, Coast to Coast, and Hadrian's Wall Path.

We taste-tested 10 different instant coffees and a few mocha mixes. Find out how they taste, how much they cost, and whether this is a good choice for your backpacking trip.

Becca Bergstrom, a.k.a. Little Skittle, reminds us that we all start somewhere and offers encouragement to anyone thinking of hiking in 2020.

We tested eight different methods for making coffee in the outdoors, each with varying taste, cost, and weight.

Have you ever wondered how long a travel-size tube of toothpaste should last? We did the research so you will know.

Deserrae Potts, a.k.a Early Bird, shares the story of how she went from a completely broke student and inexperienced backpacker to a thru hiker in one year.

A lot of people ask why our app is called Guthook Guides and how it got its name. Guthook, himself, is here to explain everything from the beginning.

Originally written for The Trek before my 2016 AT hike. A full-time employee, I couldn't take a long shakedown hike, so I took many day and weekend hikes.

We disassembled a Sawyer Squeeze filter to show you how it filters water and why you should backflush it to keep it clean.

Originally written for The Trek. Leave No Trace is a daily practice for hikers. How do we bring this practice home? I explore ideas of a zero waste life.

Being an outdoor enthusiast his whole life, Chad Lubinski set out on a PCT section hike to see if the long-distance hiking lifestyle was for him.

Originally written for The Trek. Dental care in the backcountry often seems pretty self-explanatory but there are many options for dental care on trail.

Each of these hikers contributed to our "My Trail Story" blog series and have all completed thru-hikes this year! Congratulations to these 2019 thru-hikers!

During his John Muir Trail thru-hike, Beta (a.k.a. Zach Terpstra), woke up in the middle of the night by the loudest noise he had ever heard in his life.

Amber Redfield, a.k.a. Furiosa, shares the lessons she learned after injuring her knee on her Appalachian Trail thru-hike and continuing to hike regardless.

Adam and Leigh share their story of thru-hiking the Te Araroa and then deciding to thru-hike Pacific Crest Trail the following year.

Jennifer Mabus, a.k.a. Starburst, shares why she decided to thru-hike the Pacific Crest Trail and how it changed her life.

New to the thru-hiking world? Don't worry! Check out these terms to learn the "thru-hiking lingo" and you'll be a part of the hiker trash fam in no time.

Justin Kernes, a.k.a. Tiny Slice, shares about his Pacific Crest Trail thru-hiking experience from before he started his hike to where he is now.

The Bowline knot creates a secure loop that can be very useful while hiking.

Nav is thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail with her pup, Arrow, and her amazing trail family ("tramily") that they found along the way.

The round turn and two half hitches is a useful knot for backpackers.

Jillian and Logan Ivey, a.k.a The Purple People or The Mailboxes, experienced some serious "hiker hunger" on their thru-hike of the John Muir Trail in 2018.

The incredible trail magic that Scott Siler, a.k.a KP, experienced on the Appalachian Trail resulted in a wedding invitation and a restored faith in humanity.

Jeff Garmire, a.k.a Legend, established the newest Fastest Known Time (FKT) on the Arizona Trail on April 22, 2019.

Your battery indicator doesn't always tell you the truth. When hiking, here is what you should do if your phone battery gets too cold...

Dave Mizelle, a.k.a. PYT, shares his close call with nature while hiking in the Roan Highlands section of the Appalachian Trail.

I wrap up my series of Sawyer filter reviews by testing the flow rate of the Sawyer Mini against the Squeeze and Micro.

Justin Helmkamp spent 40 days walking over 800 miles on Te Araroa in New Zealand.

It is more effective to use the Sawyer coupler or a Smartwater bottle nozzle to backflush your Sawyer Squeeze filter than to use the Sawyer syringe that comes packaged with the Sawyer Squeeze filter.

Peanut, a.k.a. Melanie Harsha, withdrew all of her applications to doctorate programs, adopted a dog, and started planning her first thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail in 2016.

Spring in New England means mud and loose snow in the mountains. It’s a great time to hike if you can find the right locations, though. Here are a few of our favorites to get ready for bigger trips in the summer!

Alex Mason, a.k.a. Puff Puff, is a Brit who has made thru-hiking her lifestyle. She hiked the Pacific Crest Trail in 2015 and hasn't stopped since.

Jim Murphy took a wrong turn in the Bob Marshall Wilderness, walked straight into a forest fire, and shares the story of how he survived.

Poodle dog bush is a plant along the Pacific Crest Trail in Southern California that causes severe, long-lasting irritation, worse than poison oak.

After meeting on the Appalachian Trail, this thru-hiking couple got married and decided to hike the Continental Divide Trail for their honeymoon.

Alex Patino, a.k.a. Golden Girl, explains how he went from working in the fashion industry in NYC for seven years, to hiking the Pacific Crest Trail, Colorado Trail, and Appalachian Trail.

Ethan Gehl, a.k.a. Sochi, has hiked 6,000+ miles all over the world and shares what he's learned from his time in the wilderness.

Chelsea Fisher, a.k.a. PCP ("Pretty Cool Person") shares her journey of becoming a thru-hiker from the AT to the Long Trail, and now on to hike the PCT in 2019.

Trevor Pyke, a.k.a. Crunchmaster, shares how he's come to love thru-hiking and what he learned hiking the PCT, AT, and parts of the CDT.

Emily Schrick, a.k.a. Squishy, talks about her experience thru-hiking the Pacific Crest Trail and how she stayed motivated to finish.

Ben Coats, a.k.a. Chicken of the Sea, talks about the curveball he experienced on the Pacific Crest Trail and how he finished his thru-hike.

Heather "Anish" Anderson's first book, Thirst: 2600 Miles to Home, about her 2013 Pacific Crest Trail hike is now available! Read all about her trail story.

Our guides may be best known on long-distance trails, but my favorite use for them is to plan hikes in trail systems like Camden Hills State Park in Maine

Craig Fowler shares his story of how he became a thru-hiker and bikepacker, and how he turned his passions into a full-time project.

Lani Advokat, a.k.a. Larry, has thru-hiked the John Muir Trail, Tahoe Rim Trail, Pacific Crest Trail, and the Colorado Trail in the last four years. Check out what she has to say about her experiences thru-hiking.

Alec Santiago, a.k.a. Yuengling, shares a few stories from his experience thru-hiking the Pacific Crest Trail.

Read about what it's really like to thru-hike the Pacific Crest Trail by Kathleen Neeves, a.k.a. Token.

As I plan hikes for this summer, I look back on some of my favorite trips from last year, including my hike to Lookingglass Lake.

Dahn Pratt shares the jitters he experienced beginning his thru-hike or thru-tramp across New Zealand on Te Araroa.

Allison DiVerde, a.k.a. Flower Power, offers her advice for those who are new to thru-hiking after her journey on the Appalachian Trail this past year.

Kyle O'Grady, a.k.a Nar Nar on the trail, shares the story of how he became a thru-hiker from his first ever hike to summiting Mt. Katahdin on the Appalachian Trail.

Kate Stelfox, otherwise known as Croc on the trail, talks about her experiences thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail and Pacific Crest Trail.

Our new "My Trail Story" series will feature thru-hikers of all ages and backgrounds sharing their personal, real life experiences from the trail. Michael Ivey, otherwise known as Grizzly on the trail, starts us off.

We continue our review of the Sawyer Micro Squeeze and Sawyer Squeeze, this time with different squeeze containers, including the Vecto, Evernew, Smartwater Bottle, and Sawyer Squeeze Pouch.

Have you made your New Year’s Resolutions yet? Or are you going to forget them within minutes of making them? Check out how Guthook manages his New Years Resolutions— maybe his obsession can help you with yours.

Would you like to hike for 5-6 months? A few weeks? A few days? We've got you covered. See how long each of our trails are by time and length.

Give the Gift of Guthook this holiday season! We have trail guides for every type of hiker, thru-hiker, backpacker, or outdoors-lover on your list.

Whether you're stuffing stockings or looking for affordable hiking gifts, you're sure to find something on this list.

How do National Parks and Monuments decide how to manage their land? Guthook took a trip to see part of the planning process in person.

We review Sawyer's new Micro Squeeze water filtration system.

The definition of "thru-hiking" cannot be found in a dictionary. That's why I asked these thru-hikers to share what thru-hiking means to them.

Ten affordable lightweight backpacking items that are a must for any trip.

Last week I attended a symposium celebrating the 50th anniversary of National Trails and Wild and Scenic Rivers.

How much food do you take backpacking? How much SHOULD you pack? Read how Guthook plans the right amount.

Many hikers have difficulty adjusting after a hike. Read what experienced thru hikers have to say about post-hike depression.

Hiking to Havasu Falls was an experience I will never forget. But here’s the thing, I knew NOTHING about backpacking.

Since many hikers carry phones and portable batteries, we evaluated a variety of battery chargers and have some to recommend for long-distance hikers.

This set of maintenance tools is great and it fits easily in the side pocket of my pack.

Last week I took a trip into the Katahdin Woods & Waters National Monument, a new addition to the National Parks system.

After the NOLS course, I went back out to the mountains to climb Wind River Peak. At 13,192 feet, it is the highest in the southern part of the range.

We will enter the Sangre de Cristo Wilderness of the Rio Grande National Forest and spend five days bouncing between peaks.

For my second annual Baxter State Park backpacking trip, I went to parts of the park that few out-of-staters ever see.

Though this was one of the most wonderful hikes I’ve been on, most hikers who visit Maine have never heard of the Cutler Coast.

You’re ready to hit the trail, your fully-loaded smartphone in hand. But how long will it last when you’re not near an outlet?

If you’ve been on the Appalachian or Pacific Crest Trail and thought, “there are a lot of people out here,” you’re not wrong.

I’ve been fascinated by satellite imagery of the the Appalachian Trail. It tells a very different story about the landscape.

The plan: hike to Tumbledown Pond and camp. The difficulty: almost nobody attempts Tumbledown in winter.

For Sunday’s hike, Siren and I headed to Crawford Notch and the Mt Willey Range for a snow-covered trip to Mount Tom and Mount Field in New Hampshire.

Last weekend had much better conditions than the previous one, so I tried to make up for it by doing two great day hikes, starting with Mt. Chocorua.

Another week of heavy snow in New England meant the mountains were ripe for exploration, so we headed out on an overnight hike to Mt. Moriah.

I ventured into the northernmost part of the White Mountains for a weekend of serious winter backpacking.

I analyzed elevation data to come up with an estimate of the steepest climbs.

The 7th day of our Baxter backpacking trip. We had beautiful, clear skies and a view up to Doubletop from camp.

In northeast Baxter, there’s some small mountains and ponds with small campsites on the shore.

Tom and I set out over The Traveler Loop. I’d heard about how gorgeous the mountain was and had looked at it from Katahdin.

After two days of hiking over Katahdin, I was looking forward to a day of long miles with little elevation: a day in the green tunnel.

As with all trails up Katahdin, ascending the Hamlin Ridge was more like bouldering rather than walking.

Like most trails up Katahdin, the Cathedral was more akin to bouldering than walking, with just as much use of hands as feet.

I returned yesterday from seven nights of backpacking in Baxter State Park with my friend, Tom.

We set out into the last bit of the AT in Virginia, between Shenandoah and Harper’s Ferry.

My memories say that Shenandoah is easy and boring. I learned that wasn’t accurate.

After a day off, I was doing better. My aching feet were well rested and I was ready to hit the trail once again.

We hiked into Virginia's Mount Rogers National Recreation Area, one of the most-hiked parts of the AT in the south.

I’ve been planning a winter wonderland camping trip for the last weekend of the year with several friends.

I found some hikes in the White Mountains that proved that even in the “green tunnel” you can find a great wilderness trip.

I met up with Philip and Steve for a two-night backpacking trip through one of the wildest regions of the White Mountains.

I hiked two full loops in the Tumbledown range, a day hike that was lot more punishing and rewarding than I thought.

I took a month-long instructor course at the National Outdoor Leadership School. Our time there took us into the Wind River Mountains. Here's a report on that NOLS course.