5 Ways to Be a Cleaner Backcountry Camper
The tenets of good backcountry etiquette and wilderness preservation.
Leave No Trace: Managing Human Waste in the Outdoors
This is a story about poop. It’s about the principles of Leave No Trace camping not changing exactly, but evolving in the way we need to apply them. Because we are loving our wild places to death by treating them like giant toilets. The focus here will be on ‘frontcountry’ areas which I will define as relatively remote yet road-accessible areas with little or no services, typically managed by the National Forest Service (NFS) or Bureau of Land Management (BLM). These playgrounds are among the crowning jewels of the mountain west and some of the finest rewards for anyone seeking the freedom of the Great American Road Trip. There’s little more satisfying to a vagabond van-lifer than seeing a brown wooden sign that reads “Entering [insert name] National Forest”, knowing…
Packrafting the Flathead River in Montana’s Bob Marshall Wilderness
Take a journey down the green waters of this premier river through a wild and remote wilderness.
Tent Fabrics Part 1: Fabric Specs
The first in a two-part blog series focused on demystifying tent fabric technology.
Bolting Climbs: The Ethics of First Ascents
Evaluating the ethics behind first ascents begged the question of whether or not we’re creating safer climbs by “conquering routes”. Were we providing positive accessibility by bolting walls? Or just flaunting our abilities?
Hollow Fiber Membrane Filters: Advantages in Backpacking Water Filters
A look at why MSR has long relied on hollow fiber technology in our filters.
Outdoor Gear Field Repair 101: What to Bring and Why
Pack these must-haves in your repair kit to ensure your trip will go on.
MSR Tent Tech: 3 Ways to Field Repair a Rip in Your Tent’s Rainfly
All MSR tents are designed with long-term durability in mind, but anything can happen in the backcountry. Even a small rip in your rainfly can expose your tent to the elements, and a little tear can quickly migrate and become a bigger problem. Repairing it in the field can be your best bet, preferably before it starts to rain. Here are three solutions for tent rainfly repair recommended by MSR engineers and designers who have field-tested tents to their limits. Solution #1: Use duct tape or medical tape While not an elegant remedy, duct tape is a versatile solution to all sorts of problems you might encounter. Medical tape can be a useful temporary fix as well. Remember to remove the duct or medical tape as soon as you return…
WhisperLite Stove Maintenance
Tips for getting the most from your WhisperLite stove.