Author: Matcha

What’s in Your Pack? Thru-Hiking Edition

ByMatcha January 2, 2020 0 Comments
It’s the eternal question for any backpacker—what do you bring along, and what do you leave at home? Thru-hikers have it particularly tough, as the decisions they make determine their comfort and safety for weeks on end. This guide features about 30 things you should include in your thru-hiking pack, which sounds like a lot. But trust me when I say that once you’re out there on the trail...

Winter Stargazing: A Heads-Up Guide for Winter Campers and Backpackers

ByMatcha January 2, 2020 0 Comments
If you’re among the outdoors enthusiasts who brave the chill for winter camping, you know how appealing the “off-season” backcountry can be. In addition to bigger helpings of solitude, spectacular snow-scapes, and greater visibility of animals and their tracks, the joys of winter camping—or, hey, winter glamping, if that’s more your style—include night skies of unrivaled clarity....

Why You Should Experience Canada By Train

ByMatcha December 11, 2019 0 Comments
Canada’s a big place filled with incredible sights—from the cobblestone streets and art galleries of Quebec to the rugged majesty of the Canadian Rockies. When it comes to both cultural and natural wonders, it’s more than you can see in a lifetime. But exploring the country by train gives you a head start to see more in one vacation than you thought possible. Train travel has a unique...

How to Choose the Right Bag for Carry-On Only Travel

ByMatcha December 3, 2019 0 Comments
Let’s be honest: Traveling with only a carry-on confers some bragging rights. It’s no easy feat conforming to airlines’ baggage requirements, especially for longer trips, those that require specific technical gear, or international trips. Managing to pare down your packing list and commit to carry-on only can provide peace of mind, convenience, and financial savings. Whether you want to be...

The Ten Essentials: What They Are and Why You Need Them for Every Hike

ByMatcha November 26, 2019 0 Comments
The 2,140-acre Monte Sano State Park in Huntsville has long enchanted hikers, campers, and cyclists with its vibrant fall foliage, scenic trails, and resplendent views. Yet a relaxing day at the park can quickly turn sour. A 24-year-old hiker experienced this firsthand in February 2017, when she went missing after hitting the trails at Monte Sano for an afternoon trek. As the sun set and...

7 Winter Hiking Tips That You’ve Never Thought Of

ByMatcha November 15, 2019 0 Comments
Winter hiking can be intimidating, especially if your plans take you above treeline, chasing epic peaks across exposed ridgelines. Even non-technical winter excursions can feel overwhelming if you’ve never hiked in the colder, snowier months. However, most winter conditions can be mitigated with the right preparation, gear, and clothing, and getting out on the trails in the winter will let you...

Here’s How to Take On the Trek to Everest Base Camp!

ByMatcha November 13, 2019 0 Comments
Climbing Mt. Everest is a serious alpine challenge that’s only for the most experienced high-altitude climbers. It takes a commitment of time and money that most people don’t have. But travelers to Nepal can still get a taste of the experience by making a trek to Everest Base Camp, the starting point for most who seek to reach the summit. The trek to Base Camp offers an up-close encounter...

8 Beautiful Winter Hikes in U.S. National Parks

ByMatcha November 5, 2019 0 Comments
While most people visit national parks in the summer, some might argue that the winter is even better. Crowds have often dissipated and you can have entire trails (or regions!) to yourself if you time it right. With less traffic, wildlife spotting becomes easier, the trails are more peaceful, and you get to see some of the country’s most awe-inspiring landscapes softened under a blanket of...

Halloween Hikes: The Spookiest Trails in America

ByMatcha October 28, 2019 0 Comments
There’s nothing like a scary story or creepy folklore to add some extra spirit to your hike. And there’s no better season than fall—the time for haunts and haints—to point your hiking boots in the direction of the spooky trails across the United States. The these hikes all feature some association with the supernatural (or, in one case, with a resident creature called a “cryptid”),...

12 Easy Cocktails for Your Next Backcountry Trip

ByMatcha October 18, 2019 0 Comments
There’s nothing better than reaching camp, setting up your tent, and hanging out under the stars… with a cocktail in hand. On shorter trips where weight isn’t an issue, bring some extra fun ingredients and enjoy a drink in the great outdoors. These drinks can be mixed up in your camp mug and enjoyed right by the fire. Disclaimer : Bringing glass into the backcountry is never a good idea....