Best Gifts for Hikers and Backpackers | Holiday Gift Guide 2024

December 9, 2024Leave a comment

‘Tis the season for holiday shopping and gift-wrapping! I was recently inspired to share a video on my YouTube with gift ideas for National Park lovers. While making it, I started to think about all the helpful hiking gadgets and accessories I’ve accumulated over the years.

Truthfully, you don’t need much to start backpacking other than the obvious: a sleeping bag, a water purification system, food, etc. However, having a few small extras on hand can dramatically improve your experience on the trail.

Here’s my official holiday gift guide for hikers and backpackers!

1. Seat Pad

A seat pad is pretty much exactly what it sounds like: a compact, cushioned pad that gives you something to sit on other than the ground. It’s a handy accessory for taking a load off while you’re making food around the campfire after a long day of hiking.

I’ve had the Therm-a-Rest Z Seat for years and highly recommend it, but there are plenty of cheaper options that work just as well. I like how this seat pad folds up with a bungee closure so I can tuck it into an exterior pocket on my pack for easy access.

Holiday gift guide for hikers and backpackers, by travel blogger Wandering the Gap

2. Water Shoes

Every hiker needs a solid pair of water shoes for creek crossings. They’ll save you from hiking around in wet socks and shoes—a recipe for blisters. A lot of people go for Chacos or Crocs, but I’m a fan of the Teva Original Universal Sandal (which I’m holding in the picture above) because it’s comfortable and lightweight.

3. Satellite Device

In my opinion, a satellite communication device is an essential safety item for backpacking. Most wilderness areas have limited or nonexistent cell service, making it challenging to stay in touch with friends and family or get help in an emergency.

Satellite communicators are an excellent tool for sending updates to loved ones and calling for help during your backpacking trips. I have a Garmin inReach Explorer which is now discontinued, but the brand has other similar versions like the inReach Mini 2.

4. Solar Lantern

While a solar-powered lantern isn’t a backpacking necessity, it is fun to have. I’ve owned a LuminAID for years and it’s come in handy many times.

I don’t notice it hanging on my backpack while I hike because it folds flat, and it provides the perfect amount of light. I usually pull the lantern out in my tent at night when I’m settling in for bed so I don’t waste my phone or headlamp battery.

5. Shoe Gaiters

Help your favorite hiker stay comfortable on the trail with a pair of shoe gaiters. These footwear accessories clip onto the outside of your sneakers or boots to block dirt, rocks, and other debris. They can make a world of difference, helping you cut down on the number of times you have to stop and shake your shoes out.

While there are many gaiter styles available, I like low trail/running gaiters—my Outdoor Research gaiters (which I’m wearing in the picture above) are super old but still get the job done. There also tall versions that cover almost the entire leg, as well as waterproof options.

6. Microspikes

If you’re shopping for someone who frequently hikes in the show, consider gifting them a pair of microspikes. Microspikes are typically made of rubber, with small metal parts that give you traction when hiking in slick conditions.

They slip onto the bottom of your shoe to provide extra grip when navigating snow or ice. Kahtoola is one of the most popular and trusted microspike producers, but most within the $50-75 range should be fairly high-quality.

7. Neck Gaiter

A neck gaiter is somewhat similar to a shoe gaiter, but its main purpose is to block the sun. Brands like BUFF make these versatile all-season pieces. They’re commonly worn around the neck (hence the name) but can be used in many ways.

In a pinch, you can turn the gaiter into a face mask, hood, balaclava, and more. Make sure the fabric is moisture-wicking and breathable—UPF protection is also a bonus.

Top Travel Movies to Inspire Wanderlust (and My Favorite Scary Movies About the Outdoors)

August 19, 2024August 19, 20241 Comment

Travel movies are an excellent way to cure your wanderlust and find inspiration for the next adventure. I love movies about travel that highlight captivating landscapes and experiences around the world. It’s fun to temporarily transport yourself somewhere else while watching, and it can help you decide where you want to go in the future. These are my favorite travel movies, and some bonus outdoor horror picks for my fellow scary movie watchers!

Must-Watch Movies About Travel

The Secret Life of Walter Mitty

Top travel movies, by travel blogger Wandering the Gap

Image via Empire Magazine.

I remember instantly falling in love with The Secret Life of Walter Mitty while watching it in theaters in 2013. It was an incredibly impactful film because I was a freshman in high school learning to navigate the world around me and find what felt truly fulfilling in life. The Secret Life of Walter Mitty isn’t a perfect movie, but it has everything you want for an inspirational, lighthearted watch: stunning scenery, touching moments, and lots of laughs.

Valley Uprising

Image via IMDb.

While rock climbers will especially love Valley Uprising, I’ve shared it with many non-climbers who also enjoyed the documentary and found it interesting. Valley Uprising dives into the history of climbing in the Yosemite Valley from the 50s to the mid-2010s. It has a killer soundtrack and many scenes to make your heart race and your palms sweat.

Wild

Image via Cinema Faith.

Wild is based on a memoir by Cheryl Strayed, who documented her time hiking on the Pacific Crest Trail after facing some personal challenges. This is a darker, more dramatic travel movie that covers many difficult issues. I definitely cried the first time I watched Wild because of the excellent performances and spot-on song choices.

Into the Wild

Image via MovieWeb.

I’ll be the first to admit that the Into the Wild story is problematic in some regards. It recounts the true tale of Christopher McCandless, a nomad who traveled across America and eventually starved to death in the Alaskan wilderness. Several others have passed away in real life pursuing the abandoned bus featured in the movie, where McCandless lived out his final days.

McCandless also made some avoidable mistakes during his adventure that contributed to his untimely passing. I consider Into the Wild an artistic depiction of one man’s efforts to live his life to the fullest, at times risking his safety and personal relationships to do so. Take the movie with a grain of salt and learn from McCandless’s real-life legacy.

180° South

Image via Rotten Tomatoes.

180° South will instantly make you want to book a plane ride to Chile. This travel documentary follows a man as he attempts to sail from California to Patagonia. He aimed to recreate a trip that Yvon Chouinard and Doug Tompkins, outdoorsmen who founded the Patagonia and North Face brands, respectively, took in 1968. It’s a wild ride with plenty of entertaining and heartfelt misadventures along the way.

The Way

Image via UTracks.

If you’re unfamiliar with the Camino de Santiago, I suggest watching The Way. It’s an emotional story about a father who embarks on a long-distance European hiking trail to honor his son, who passed away on the same journey. Travelers have been making the pilgrimage from France to Spain along the Camino de Santiago route for centuries. The Way will inspire you to learn more about the trail and tackle it yourself one day.

Mile… Mile & a Half

Image via Rotten Tomatoes.

One of the first movies to make me want to try backpacking was Mile… Mile & a Half. I stumbled across this movie on Netflix and watched it with my family—we all loved it. The documentary centers on a group of friends attempting California’s John Muir Trail. It features breathtaking views and paints a beautiful picture of friendship and the close-knit backpacking community.

BONUS: Horror Travel Movies That Will Make You Want to Stay Home!

The Ritual

Image via Forbes.

The Ritual is set in Norway, and the rugged landscapes are stunning. This movie has some genuinely terrifying moments and an overall unsettling vibe. You might rethink your next camping trip after watching it! Just remember to stay on the trail and avoid taking shortcuts…

The Descent

Image via IMDb.

Don’t watch The Descent if you get easily claustrophobic. I hate caves in real life which made me hesitant to watch this spelunking-inspired horror movie. It’s also set in Appalachia, which hits a little too close to home since I grew up in Georgia. Today, The Descent is one of my favorite scary movies of all time—I can also safely say I have no plans to go caving ever again.

The Blair Witch Project

Image via Game Rant.

The Blair Witch Project is a found-footage horror classic about a group of filmmakers who go missing in the Maryland woods while searching for a spooky local legend. This movie is infamous for its clever marketing strategy, which convinced many audience members that the events were real, and impressive box office returns despite being made on a budget. It’s a slow burn and not for everyone, but some of the scares leave a big impression.

Drop your travel movie recommendations below so I can add them to my watch list!

Taking a Gap Year Pros and Cons + Gap Year Ideas

August 12, 2024August 12, 2024Leave a comment

Are you debating whether taking a gap year is worth it? Read this first! I’m sharing essential gap year pros and cons and some ideas to help you decide. I took a gap year after high school, which was very personally valuable. There are some drawbacks, but a little preparation goes a long way to make the most of a year off between school or other commitments.

For context: I dual-enrolled in 11th and 12th grade and took freshman-level college classes while simultaneously attending high school. As a result, I went straight into sophomore year when I returned to college after my gap year.

Gap years sometimes get a bad rap, and you’ll hear many stereotypes that people who take gap years are procrastinating their responsibilities or slacking off. There can be some truth to this, but it’s also true that gap years can be beneficial and positively impactful. Here are some gap year pros and cons to consider based on my own experience.

Pro: Working to save up money

Gap year pros and cons, by lifestyle blogger Wandering the Gap

Saving money is one of the most popular reasons people take gap years. I started working hourly jobs at 16 and had two part-time positions at different points throughout my gap year. This helped me save some spending money before starting college. While I could have worked more hours during my gap year, I wanted to maximize my time living at home (aka free—thanks, Mom and Dad!) and have a good work-life balance for traveling, hanging out with loved ones, and pursuing new hobbies.

Con: Feeling a step behind

This may be an isolated experience, so take it with a grain of salt, but there were times I felt out of touch with friends heading straight into college. While I had plenty of free time, my friends had classes, homework, projects, and sometimes work.

Taking a full year off of school was a blessing for which I’m so thankful—I just didn’t know anyone going through the same phase of life. Having someone to relate to in these niche life moments can help you feel not so alone in challenging times.

Pro: Prioritizing mental health

In the spirit of being transparent and open about something a lot of people go through: I started seeing a counselor during my gap year. Since my schedule was emptier than usual, I had much more downtime than I was comfortable with. I quickly learned I had a tendency to use school, internships, and work as a distraction from some aspects of my mental health that I was struggling with. Through counseling, I was diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder and mild depression.

I don’t believe there should be a stigma around seeking help for your mental health concerns. With the help of medication, routine counseling sessions, and opening up to my close friends and family, my symptoms became significantly more manageable. Having access to these resources is something I don’t take for granted, and I’m glad I took advantage of them in my newfound free time. It was uncomfortable at times, but reaching out for help was incredibly positive overall.

Con: Getting back in the groove of going to school

Adjusting to college life can be challenging after a gap year. You’ll likely become comfortable setting your own schedule (to an extent) and having the flexibility to explore different opportunities. School can feel restrictive and limiting—to be fair, you must sacrifice some time for classwork.

I thoroughly enjoyed my time in college, so getting used to the schedule and cadence of school again took a little bit of time. There was a learning curve, so give yourself some grace the first week or two of the semester.

Pro: Pursuing new interests

Throughout my gap year, I worked, participated in an internship, and explored and challenged myself in new areas of interest. I fell in love with backpacking and took several multi-day trips. I started a work-trade program at a local yoga studio, took tons of classes, and learned some new skills. I went on a cross-country road trip that deepened my love for travel. I started working at a rock climbing gym where I made lifelong friends, became a stronger climber, and had the rewarding opportunity to step into a management position. Overall, I learned what fulfills me and what I genuinely enjoy doing.

Pro: Having time to prepare for college

I enjoyed having a year to tour colleges and apply for scholarships. I ended up at what I consider the perfect school to start my college experience—I transferred after my first year but still had the best time. While there, I met one of my closest friends to this day and had some incredible experiences while living in a stunning area of North Georgia. I fondly look back on those days and am so grateful for every second of them!

What are your thoughts on taking a gap year? I’d love to hear your thoughts and how you spent your gap year!

Review: RightOnTrek Backpacking Meals

July 19, 20223 Comments

Today I’m really excited to be sharing a review of some RightOnTrek backpacking meals! RightOnTrek was kind enough to reach out to me and send over some of their meals for me to taste-test and review. I got to try the vegan shepherd’s stew, mac and cheese, backcountry chili, and high country pad thai, and I was really impressed wih all of them!

RightOnTrek was founded in 2018 by a group of backpackers after they completed the 200+ mile long John Muir Trail in California. The company is based in Montana and specializes in making the backcountry more accessible for hikers and backpackers. For being a relatively small company, they have an impressive variety of backpacking meal options, with plenty of allergy-friendly meals as well!

The first meal I tried was their mac and cheese, which was actually rated the #1 mac and cheese by Backpacker Magazine! I can definitely see why – the mac and cheese was super creamy and flavorful, and very filling as well.

Next up, I tried their vegan shepherd’s stew meal. I was really happy to see that RightOnTrek offers vegetarian/vegan meals, as many backpacking meal companies aren’t so accommodating. The vegan shepherd’s stew was really hearty and comforting, and my fully carnivore husband enjoyed it too!

The next meal I tried was their backcountry chili. Chili is definitely a staple when it comes to backpacking meals, and RightOnTrek’s version was a great option. Like the other meals, the chili was delicious and filling, especially with the addition of the corn biscuits that came as an optional mix-in.

Finally, I sampled the high country pad thai. I actually didn’t realize the pad thai was vegetarian, and what I thought was chicken was really soy curls! The pad thai was super rich and flavorful, and definitely one of my favorites from the meals I tried. I especiaally enjoyed it with the addition of the peanut butter, sriracha, and salted cashews that RightOnTrek provided.

All in all, I was really impressed with all the RightOnTrek meals I tried. I definitely plan on stocking up next time I embark on a backpacking trip! Thanks again to RightOnTrek for sending over some meals. Let me know in the comments if you’ve ever heard of RightOnTrek, and if you’ll be trying some of their meals for yourself!

Colorado Summer Bucket List

April 6, 2022April 6, 20227 Comments

The weather is finally starting to warm and the snow is beginning to thaw which means spring is almost here. Before you know it, it’ll be summer and we all know the warm weather never stays as long as we hope! I really want to take advantage of the warmth this season, so I’ve put together a Colorado Summer Bucket List as motivation to try some fun new summertime activities. Colorado is full of activities year-round, but I think the state truly shines in the summer. So here are some goals I have for this summer in Colorado, and some activities I’d love to experience for the first time!

Whitewater rafting – I’ve whitewater rafted a number of times before in the Southeast, and I’ve loved every experience. Colorado is known for having some great whitewater rafting, and there are tons of companies that offer trips ranging from beginner-friendly to advanced. Since I haven’t been whitewater rafting in a few years, I’ll probably aim for an intermediate trip, but I can’t wait to escape the heat by hitting the river this summer!
Go on an overnight backpacking trip – I did a good amount of hikes last year, but due to my husband getting shoulder surgery at the beginning of the summer, we weren’t able to go camping or backpacking at all. This year, I’m determined to go on at least one overnight backpacking trip! I’d love to do one in May at a lower elevation spot, and then work up to a really epic and challenging overnight trip later in the season. Let me know in the comments what your favorite beginner/intermediate Colorado backpacking trip is!
Take a scenic train ride – there are a bunch of scenic train rides throughout the state of Colorado, and I’d love to experience the state’s natural beauty this way. I haven’t been on a train ride in several years, but I always love sitting and watching the changing scenery go by.
Spend a weekend in New Mexico – I’ve never been to New Mexico, and Santa Fe is only about a 5-hour drive from Colorado Springs! I figure this may be one of the only times in our life we’re living near the Southwest, so I want to take advantage by spending a weekend in a new state. My husband and I also haven’t had the chance to travel somewhere new to both of us in a few years, so I think it would be a really fun time.
Visit another national park – like I mentioned in by Top 5 Things to Do in Colorado post, the state is home to not one, but four national parks! I’ve only been to Rocky Mountain so far, but I’d love to visit at least one, if not all, of the other three (Mesa Verde, Black Canyon of the Gunnison, and Great Sand Dunes). Great Sand Dunes is only about a 3-hour drive from us, so I’d love to spend a day exploring it sometime over the summer!

And there you have it folks! What’s on your Summer Bucket List for 2022? What are your favorite Colorado Summer activities? Let me know in the comments!

Backpacking in Georgia

June 30, 2021August 17, 20213 Comments

Hello all! Today I’m going to be sharing with you three of my favorite backpacking spots in Georgia. If you haven’t already seen the video, make sure to check it out here!
I think Georgia is a seriously underrated spot for backpackers and nature lovers of all kinds. The Southeast in general is beautiful and offers some amazing backpacking, kayaking, and rock-climbing areas. I count myself lucky that I got to grow up there, and I spent most of high school and college hiking and backpacking as often as I could. Without further ado, here are my three favorite backpacking trips in Georgia!

Appalachian Approach Trail

The AT Approach Trail begins at Amicalola Falls State Park and travels roughly 9 miles to the summit of Springer Mountain. Springer Mountain is the southern terminus of the Appalachian Trail, which runs 2,000+ miles in length from Georgia to Maine. Though the Approach Trail isn’t included in the official mileage of the AT, many section and thru-hikers embark on this trail to begin their hike. This is actually the first backpacking trip I ever went on with my family (check out that blog post here) and boy, was it quite the adventure.
I’ve returned to this trail several times since and had much more enjoyable experiences than my first impression (I would recommend visiting in the spring for mild, pleasant weather). If you choose to go out and back you’ll be hiking around 18 miles altogether, with 4,000’+ of elevation gain. I would consider this trail challenging, but a good introduction to backpacking as the trail itself is well-marked and fairly moderate. For a classic hike that gives you the perfect opportunity to test out your gear and comfort on the trail, the Approach Trail is a great way to go!

Woody Gap to Neels Gap

Woody Gap to Neels Gap is a roughly 10 mile section of the AT that begins near Dahlonega and ends near Blairsville. I personally love this section of the trail because it takes you through some pretty iconic AT features, including Preachers Rock and Blood Mountain. You’ll gain about 2,500′ of elevation which is definitely a challenge, but still doable for someone a bit newer to backpacking as long as you set realistic expectations and pace yourself.
Although you could definitely just do this section as a day hike, I recommend camping at the summit of Blood Mountain to catch some gorgeous sunset/rise views. Plus, the final push up to the summit is pretty tiring, so you’ll have definitely earned a solid break. Blood Mountain is one of my personal favorite mountains of all time, and hiking to the summit via from Woody Gap is a great way to add some mileage and gain a new perspective of the trail!

Cumberland Island

This one may seem a bit random, but hear me out: Cumberland Island is unlike any other backpacking spot in Georgia, and possibly the entire Southeast. Located off the coast of Georgia, this island is only accessible via ferry and offers a surprising amount of backpacking trails. The island itself has a really interesting history, and each area offers a unique and fascinating environment. You can see the ruins of Dungeness, a mansion that burnt down in the mid-1900s, and, if you’re lucky, catch a glimpse of some wildlife, which includes horses, pigs, and armadillos.
I believe we camped at the Stafford Beach Campground, located about three and a half miles from the ferry drop-off. While you don’t have to worry about too much elevation gain, the island does get quite hot, humid, and buggy, so you have to make sure you’re well-prepared. We returned back to the ferry via the beach, simply following the coastline until we reached the dock. It’s such a unique and cool experience to backpack on the coast, and Cumberland Island is one of the most beautiful beaches I’ve seen.

Wandering the Gap

Tag: backpacking