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![the north star]()
Finding the North Star
The ability to find the North Star (Polaris) in the night sky is a very important navigational skill. Here is how to find it…
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![the phases of the moon]()
Understanding the 8 Phases of the Moon
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…
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![Four seasons, spring, summer, fall, and winter next to each other. Showing the best time to hike for different trails depends on the season.]()
When is the best time to hike each trail?
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!
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![dirty socks or laundry, platypus water bottle, hiking detergent, plastic Ziploc bag, assorted on grass]()
How To Do Your Laundry While Thru-Hiking
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.
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![four different types of backpacking headlamps shown]()
We Tested 4 Popular Backpacking Headlamps
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.
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![A hole in a black jacket sleeve with repair tape and scissors.]()
How to Patch a Hole on Your Jacket or Tent
In a pinch, you can use duct tape to repair a tear, but for a more permanent repair I recommend using repair tape.
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![Clorox bleach crystals next to a water bottle.]()
How to Sanitize Water Bottles with Bleach
It’s super important to keep your water bottles clean on your thru-hike. Using bleach crystals is an easy, lightweight solution.
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![sawyer water filter soaking in a bowl of vinegar solution to remove calcium buildup]()
How to Remove Calcium Buildup in your Sawyer Filter
If backwashing your Sawyer water filter doesn’t help clear it, you might have calcium deposits. Try this easy trick to fix it.
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How to Safely Poop Anywhere
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!
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![headlamps]()
How to Select the Right Headlamp
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.
