Backpacking
Backpacking is one of my favorite ways to getaway from the city life in the summer. I love packing up everything I need and spending days in the wilderness. It’s so refreshing to go days without civilization and be self reliant in the forest. The tricky part about backpacking is that you have to be able to carry everything with you in your pack, so the less weight the better. A lot of preparation and gear goes into backpacking, so check out the posts below for tips on building endurance, my gear list, and food recommendations for longer stretches on the trail! Lucy’s backpacking gear list is coming soon so follow us for updates!
Backpacking Prep Part 1: Endurance
This post is all about how I trained for a big backpacking trip while I was living in the city. There are also tips that you can use in your local gym or just on walks outdoors!
Backpacking Prep Part 2: Gear
I posted this before my first backpacking trip, so I’ve changed my gear list quite a bit since then. Stay tuned for an updated list coming soon!
Backpacking Prep Part 3: Food
This is just one example of what I brought on my first backpacking trip. I’m working on another post with some lightweight and delicious backpacking meals so stay tuned!
Sawtooth Lake: Serenity in the Jagged Peaks of Idaho
After backpacking in the Wind River Range last week, Lucy and I were itching to get back on the trail for another overnight trek. I recently realized that Lucy can't put in big mileage days as I had hoped especially while training for the John Muir Trail. My solution...
Cirque of the Towers: The Backpacking Trip that Reminded Me Why I Love Spending Days in the Wilderness
Lucy and I both have had many humbling yet amazing hikes, but this one really takes the cake. Wyoming’s Wind River Range is known for its granite monoliths and alpine lakes, so it was one of my most anticipated destinations on our cross-country road trip. This was...
Chocorua, Paugus, and Square Ledge: Backpacking to Kick Off the Summer
Although summer doesn't officially start for a few more weeks, in my eyes Memorial Day is the unofficial beginning so what better way to start it off than with a nice therapeutic backpacking trip! The weather has been so gorgeous lately, and thankfully it held out all...
Zealand Mtn: Returning to My First 4K in a Snowy Winter Wonderland
Day two of our backpacking trip to Zealand hut was supposed to be our big hiking day, but unfortunately mother nature had different ideas. The forecast called for high winds and 1-3 inches of snow. The goal was Zealand, West Bond, Bond, and Bondcliff, a 13.1 mile day...
Mt. Hale: A Surprisingly Tough Hike to Start Our New Year’s Backpacking Trip
There are a few mountains that are considered the easiest of the NH48 footers. Tecumseh, Jackson, Pierce, Waumbek, Osceola, and Hale to name just a few. Hale was one of the first 4,000 footers that I hiked back in the summer of 2018. Thinking back to then, it feels...
Telica Volcano: A Unique Backpacking Trip for a Great Cause
A few months ago I was lucky enough to be presented the opportunity to come to Nicaragua and build a house for a family in need. I was super excited to volunteer with FNE International again because when I went to Peru in December it was an amazing experience. I loved...
The Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu: An Unforgettable Adventure in the Andes
Trekking to Machu Picchu is the hike of a lifetime, so I was super excited to get the opportunity to do it while I was in Peru to open medical clinics with FNE International. The most famous trek to Machu Picchu is the Inca Trail, but after doing much research I...
Owl’s Head and the Bonds: My First Solo Backpacking and Bushwhacking Trip
Owl's Head is probably the 4,000 footer with the worst reputation mostly because of its remote location, challenging slide, and underwhelming wooded peak. Many people camp at the bottom of the slide because the typical distance for Owl's Head out and back is a hefty...
The Pemi Loop: The Ultimate Peakbagging Expedition!
40.2 miles, 12,000 feet gained, and thirteen mountains in 55 hours. Probably the most mentally and physically challenging weekend of my life. It might sound crazy or impossible, but we did it! Bondcliff, Mt. Bond, West Bond, Mt. Guyot, South Twin Mtn, North Twin Mtn,...
Pemi Loop Prep Part 3: Food
Tomorrow is the big day! We're aiming for a 7:00 departure from Lincoln Woods, so it will be a nice early(ish) start to the weekend. Before I leave I just wanted to do a quick post about the food I'll be taking. Food is so much heavier than I realized! So here's a...
Pemi Loop Prep Part 2: Gear
We’re leaving for the Pemi Loop on Friday, so the biggest thing I’ve been thinking about lately is gear and what to pack! This is my first backpacking trip in eight years, so I was definitely in the weeds as far as gear went when I committed to it. I had what I...
Pemi Loop Prep Part 1: Endurance
When a friend asked me to hike the Pemi Loop a few weeks ago my initial reaction was, “Hell yes I want to hike the Pemi!” The option of bagging nine or ten 4000 footers in three days was really exciting! But the more I researched, the more I realized that I was...
WELCOME
Hi! I'm Lexi and this is my pup Lucy. This is our hiking blog where I write all about our adventures! Our goal is to empower you with the tools and advice you need to spend more time in nature. Lucy and I have tested lots of gear, hiked many trails around the world, and learned more about ourselves than we could have ever imagined. Join us as we our continue exploring the backcountry and beyond! 
Backpacking Site Map
Here is a map of all of the backpacking sites that I have been to! There are some pretty great ones on here, both well known and seldome used. If you use any of these sites, especially the stealth ones, pleas please please I beg you to leave no trace. Here is a link to the LNT principles, so if you plan to backpack I highly recommend you checking them out!
Stealth Sites
These sites are prescious, usually secretly kept information. They are absolutely coveted by the backpacking community, and for this reason the pins are located in a general area, not at the coordinates of the actual site. To access this information, I ask you to please use the “Contact Us” page to email me for the exact location. This is to make sure that there isn’t an influx of traffic and that these spots are respected. Thank you for understanding!
Backcountry Tentsites
These campsites are already established and run by organizations to ensure that they are taken care of. Usually they charge a small fee and are first come first serve. I have only put on here the ones I personally have visited and recommend, but there are many more I haven’t been to yet so stay tuned for additional reviews!
High Mountain Huts
The high mountain huts are awesome places to stay for a luxury backcountry experience. They have bunkhouses and “croo” members that cook delicious breakfasts and suppers for guests. They often put on fun skits and are very knowlegable about the areas they serve. In the summer staying at these huts is very expensive, but well worth it for the amazing experience. Some of the AMC huts are open year round, and are much cheaper in the winter. Some of my favorite childhood memories are from staying in these huts!