BACKPACKING Archives - Semi-Rad.com

15 Useful Trail Etiquette Tips

by brendan on July 8, 2021

The summer trail season is here, and you may or may not have questions about…

A High Route Across The Wind River Range

by brendan on August 6, 2020

[NOTE: 2020 is the tenth year of my blog at Semi-Rad.com, and since I…

Should You Do It In Jeans?

by brendan on March 5, 2020

The bumper stickers about politicians skiing in jeans were first created more than a decade…

What Tent Is Wrong For You?

by brendan on May 2, 2019

Two things will be here soon: Camping season, and a bunch of articles telling you…

The One Thing You Need To Know

by brendan on September 6, 2018

To climb rocks: Use your feet. Despite what you may have seen in Cliffhanger, or…

Who’s Better At Backpacking, Bears Or Humans? A Chart

by brendan on August 23, 2018

For more charts and doodles like this, follow me on Instagram at @semi_rad —Brendan

Zen And The Art Of Not Packing Shit You Don’t Need

by brendan on August 16, 2018

I once packed a can of chili ten miles into the backcountry. It weighed 15…

Nature As An Airbnb: A Review

by brendan on May 24, 2018

For a quick getaway last weekend, my friends and I planned a three-night stay in…

Climbing Out Of A Huge Metaphor

by brendan on April 12, 2018

Ten years ago last weekend, my old friend Jarrett didn’t have cancer anymore, so I…

For Sale: Palatial Mountain Getaway

by brendan on April 5, 2018

Location, location, location! This one-bedroom is close to nothing. Step inside the 29-square-foot ripstop nylon…

Break In/Destroy Your New Sleeping Bag With These 11 Simple Steps

by brendan on March 8, 2018

Nothing’s better than a brand-new sleeping bag, that miraculous cocoon of warmth that enables you…

Why Your Smartphone Is A Great Adventure Tool

by brendan on February 1, 2018

Every once in a while at a book signing or during an interview, someone asks…

10 Basic Rules For Adventure

by brendan on October 19, 2017

Earlier this year, my book Surviving the Great Outdoors came out, representing about 12 years’…

What Was That Noise Outside The Tent?

by brendan on September 21, 2017

Did you hear that? What was that noise outside the tent? Some possibilities: A Bear…

Fake Merit Badges For Real Outdoor Achievements

by brendan on September 7, 2017

Because we all deserve a little recognition for doing things well out there. —Brendan More…

Tips For Selecting The Best Campsite Ever

by brendan on August 3, 2017

That’s right, summer’s not over yet. Here are some tips to make the best out…

How To Sound Smart On The Trail

by brendan on July 13, 2017

Are you an expert? Well, thankfully, it’s 2017, and everyone can be one. Here are…

Bears Don’t Care About Your Problems

by brendan on June 29, 2017

Bears don’t care about your problems. Call your mom, tell your Twitter followers, or take…

The Best Campsite In The World

by brendan on June 22, 2017

One Friday this past March, I hiked a few miles down a trail and set…

Introducing The First Backpacking Dutch Oven

by brendan on April 20, 2017

Remember your last backpacking trip? What was missing? Come on, think about it. That’s right,…

Announcing A New Book: The Great Outdoors: A User’s Guide

by brendan on March 30, 2017

Today, I get to share something that some wonderful people and I have been working…

Ace And The Desert Dog

by brendan on May 12, 2016

About a year ago, I spent a few days with Ace Kvale and his 10-year-old…

How To Pack For A Big Trip

by brendan on March 10, 2016

You just can’t beat getting out of the office for a few days or a…

10 More Useful John Muir Quotes For Your Instagram Captions

by brendan on March 3, 2016

We all know the classic John Muir quotes like “The mountains are calling and I…

Celebrating 5 Years Of Semi-Rad: 25 Favorite Quotes

by brendan on February 4, 2016

Five years ago this week, I started this blog, hoping a few people might read…

Backpacking Is Sexy

by brendan on November 12, 2015

Hey girl. Or guy. I want you to know something about that hobby of yours…

13 Pieces of Gear Every All-Around Adventurer Should Have

by brendan on August 20, 2015

Normally I use this space to talk about not buying a bunch of shiny new…