The latest news from the trail

Inspiring weekend trips

		[{"id":1649,"link":"https:\/\/sparkshikesmountains.com\/teton-crest-trail\/","name":"teton-crest-trail","thumbnail":{"url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sparkshikesmountains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/PXL_20240721_224544734.jpg?fit=3076%2C4096&ssl=1","alt":""},"title":"Glaciers and wildflowers: Adventures on the Teton Crest Trail","postMeta":[],"author":{"name":"Daleen Cowgar","link":"https:\/\/sparkshikesmountains.com\/author\/jayleemorgan\/"},"date":"Jan 13, 2025","dateGMT":"2025-01-13 23:01:27","modifiedDate":"2025-05-13 16:32:48","modifiedDateGMT":"2025-05-13 20:32:48","commentCount":"1","commentStatus":"open","categories":{"coma":"<a href=\"https:\/\/sparkshikesmountains.com\/category\/weekend-adventures\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Weekend Adventures<\/a>","space":"<a href=\"https:\/\/sparkshikesmountains.com\/category\/weekend-adventures\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Weekend Adventures<\/a>"},"taxonomies":{"post_tag":"<a href='https:\/\/sparkshikesmountains.com\/tag\/week-long\/' rel='post_tag'>Week-long<\/a>"},"readTime":{"min":9,"sec":25},"status":"publish","excerpt":""},{"id":1583,"link":"https:\/\/sparkshikesmountains.com\/beaver-marsh\/","name":"beaver-marsh","thumbnail":{"url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sparkshikesmountains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/original_93567c61-0f7a-4a29-ac8e-4233f83901c0_PXL_20220723_103411023.MP_.jpg?fit=4032%2C3024&ssl=1","alt":""},"title":"A Beaver Marsh boardwalk sunrise","postMeta":[],"author":{"name":"Daleen Cowgar","link":"https:\/\/sparkshikesmountains.com\/author\/jayleemorgan\/"},"date":"Sep 27, 2024","dateGMT":"2024-09-27 23:27:39","modifiedDate":"2024-10-02 16:20:50","modifiedDateGMT":"2024-10-02 20:20:50","commentCount":"0","commentStatus":"open","categories":{"coma":"<a href=\"https:\/\/sparkshikesmountains.com\/category\/weekend-adventures\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Weekend Adventures<\/a>","space":"<a href=\"https:\/\/sparkshikesmountains.com\/category\/weekend-adventures\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Weekend 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16:21:31","modifiedDateGMT":"2024-10-02 20:21:31","commentCount":"0","commentStatus":"open","categories":{"coma":"<a href=\"https:\/\/sparkshikesmountains.com\/category\/weekend-adventures\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Weekend Adventures<\/a>","space":"<a href=\"https:\/\/sparkshikesmountains.com\/category\/weekend-adventures\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Weekend Adventures<\/a>"},"taxonomies":{"post_tag":"<a href='https:\/\/sparkshikesmountains.com\/tag\/cuyahoga-valley-national-park\/' rel='post_tag'>Cuyahoga Valley National Park<\/a><a href='https:\/\/sparkshikesmountains.com\/tag\/fall\/' rel='post_tag'>fall<\/a><a href='https:\/\/sparkshikesmountains.com\/tag\/ohio\/' rel='post_tag'>Ohio<\/a>"},"readTime":{"min":2,"sec":28},"status":"publish","excerpt":""},{"id":1170,"link":"https:\/\/sparkshikesmountains.com\/virginia-triple-crown-backpacking-loop\/","name":"virginia-triple-crown-backpacking-loop","thumbnail":{"url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sparkshikesmountains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/PXL_20230427_2045522402.jpg?fit=4032%2C3024&ssl=1","alt":""},"title":"Virginia Triple Crown Backpacking Trail","postMeta":[],"author":{"name":"Daleen Cowgar","link":"https:\/\/sparkshikesmountains.com\/author\/jayleemorgan\/"},"date":"Mar 28, 2024","dateGMT":"2024-03-28 16:10:11","modifiedDate":"2024-07-02 17:38:04","modifiedDateGMT":"2024-07-02 21:38:04","commentCount":"2","commentStatus":"open","categories":{"coma":"<a href=\"https:\/\/sparkshikesmountains.com\/category\/weekend-adventures\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Weekend Adventures<\/a>","space":"<a href=\"https:\/\/sparkshikesmountains.com\/category\/weekend-adventures\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Weekend 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12:00:00","modifiedDate":"2024-03-28 15:35:38","modifiedDateGMT":"2024-03-28 19:35:38","commentCount":"0","commentStatus":"open","categories":{"coma":"<a href=\"https:\/\/sparkshikesmountains.com\/category\/backpacking-101\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Backpacking 101<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/sparkshikesmountains.com\/category\/gear\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Gear<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/sparkshikesmountains.com\/category\/weekend-adventures\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Weekend Adventures<\/a>","space":"<a href=\"https:\/\/sparkshikesmountains.com\/category\/backpacking-101\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Backpacking 101<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/sparkshikesmountains.com\/category\/gear\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Gear<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/sparkshikesmountains.com\/category\/weekend-adventures\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Weekend Adventures<\/a>"},"taxonomies":{"post_tag":"<a href='https:\/\/sparkshikesmountains.com\/tag\/car-camping\/' rel='post_tag'>car camping<\/a><a 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href=\"https:\/\/sparkshikesmountains.com\/category\/weekend-adventures\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Weekend Adventures<\/a>"},"taxonomies":{"post_tag":"<a href='https:\/\/sparkshikesmountains.com\/tag\/national-parks\/' rel='post_tag'>national parks<\/a>"},"readTime":{"min":11,"sec":36},"status":"publish","excerpt":""},{"id":863,"link":"https:\/\/sparkshikesmountains.com\/best-hikes-in-cuyahoga-valley-national-park\/","name":"best-hikes-in-cuyahoga-valley-national-park","thumbnail":{"url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sparkshikesmountains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/PXL_20221015_132738258.MP_.jpg?fit=3024%2C4032&ssl=1","alt":""},"title":"My favorite Cuyahoga Valley National Park trails","postMeta":[],"author":{"name":"Daleen Cowgar","link":"https:\/\/sparkshikesmountains.com\/author\/jayleemorgan\/"},"date":"Jan 19, 2024","dateGMT":"2024-01-19 12:00:00","modifiedDate":"2024-02-03 11:49:34","modifiedDateGMT":"2024-02-03 16:49:34","commentCount":"0","commentStatus":"open","categories":{"coma":"<a href=\"https:\/\/sparkshikesmountains.com\/category\/weekend-adventures\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Weekend Adventures<\/a>","space":"<a href=\"https:\/\/sparkshikesmountains.com\/category\/weekend-adventures\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Weekend Adventures<\/a>"},"taxonomies":{"post_tag":"<a href='https:\/\/sparkshikesmountains.com\/tag\/cuyahoga-valley-national-park\/' rel='post_tag'>Cuyahoga Valley National Park<\/a><a href='https:\/\/sparkshikesmountains.com\/tag\/day-hikes\/' rel='post_tag'>day hikes<\/a>"},"readTime":{"min":4,"sec":9},"status":"publish","excerpt":""},{"id":401,"link":"https:\/\/sparkshikesmountains.com\/how-to-plan-a-backpacking-trip\/","name":"how-to-plan-a-backpacking-trip","thumbnail":{"url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sparkshikesmountains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/PXL_20230518_1716507382.jpg?fit=4032%2C3024&ssl=1","alt":""},"title":"How to plan a backpacking trip","postMeta":[],"author":{"name":"Daleen Cowgar","link":"https:\/\/sparkshikesmountains.com\/author\/jayleemorgan\/"},"date":"Dec 8, 2023","dateGMT":"2023-12-08 12:25:49","modifiedDate":"2024-03-28 16:15:13","modifiedDateGMT":"2024-03-28 20:15:13","commentCount":"0","commentStatus":"open","categories":{"coma":"<a href=\"https:\/\/sparkshikesmountains.com\/category\/backpacking-101\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Backpacking 101<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/sparkshikesmountains.com\/category\/weekend-adventures\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Weekend Adventures<\/a>","space":"<a href=\"https:\/\/sparkshikesmountains.com\/category\/backpacking-101\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Backpacking 101<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/sparkshikesmountains.com\/category\/weekend-adventures\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Weekend Adventures<\/a>"},"taxonomies":{"post_tag":"<a href='https:\/\/sparkshikesmountains.com\/tag\/backpacking\/' rel='post_tag'>Backpacking<\/a>"},"readTime":{"min":5,"sec":54},"status":"publish","excerpt":""},{"id":26,"link":"https:\/\/sparkshikesmountains.com\/stratton-mountain-backpacking-loop\/","name":"stratton-mountain-backpacking-loop","thumbnail":{"url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sparkshikesmountains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/pxl_20220908_161207267.jpg?fit=4032%2C3024&ssl=1","alt":""},"title":"Stratton Mountain Backpacking Loop","postMeta":[],"author":{"name":"Daleen Cowgar","link":"https:\/\/sparkshikesmountains.com\/author\/jayleemorgan\/"},"date":"Nov 25, 2023","dateGMT":"2023-11-25 23:21:57","modifiedDate":"2024-03-28 16:26:47","modifiedDateGMT":"2024-03-28 20:26:47","commentCount":"3","commentStatus":"open","categories":{"coma":"<a href=\"https:\/\/sparkshikesmountains.com\/category\/weekend-adventures\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Weekend Adventures<\/a>","space":"<a href=\"https:\/\/sparkshikesmountains.com\/category\/weekend-adventures\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Weekend Adventures<\/a>"},"taxonomies":{"post_tag":"<a href='https:\/\/sparkshikesmountains.com\/tag\/appalachian-trail\/' rel='post_tag'>Appalachian Trail<\/a><a href='https:\/\/sparkshikesmountains.com\/tag\/backpacking\/' rel='post_tag'>Backpacking<\/a><a href='https:\/\/sparkshikesmountains.com\/tag\/three-day-trip\/' rel='post_tag'>Three day trip<\/a>"},"readTime":{"min":5,"sec":38},"status":"publish","excerpt":""}]	
purple lavender by the lake

Latest gear reviews

		[{"id":2153,"link":"https:\/\/sparkshikesmountains.com\/lowa-renegades\/","name":"lowa-renegades","thumbnail":{"url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sparkshikesmountains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/PXL_20230420_221100955.jpg?fit=4032%2C3024&ssl=1","alt":""},"title":"That time I hiked 1,700 miles in Lowa Renegades","postMeta":[],"author":{"name":"Daleen Cowgar","link":"https:\/\/sparkshikesmountains.com\/author\/jayleemorgan\/"},"date":"Apr 1, 2025","dateGMT":"2025-04-02 02:27:49","modifiedDate":"2025-04-01 22:30:44","modifiedDateGMT":"2025-04-02 02:30:44","commentCount":"0","commentStatus":"open","categories":{"coma":"<a href=\"https:\/\/sparkshikesmountains.com\/category\/gear\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Gear<\/a>","space":"<a href=\"https:\/\/sparkshikesmountains.com\/category\/gear\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Gear<\/a>"},"taxonomies":{"post_tag":"<a href='https:\/\/sparkshikesmountains.com\/tag\/gear-review\/' rel='post_tag'>Gear Review<\/a>"},"readTime":{"min":4,"sec":24},"status":"publish","excerpt":""},{"id":1264,"link":"https:\/\/sparkshikesmountains.com\/budget-backpacking\/","name":"budget-backpacking","thumbnail":{"url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sparkshikesmountains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/pexels-photo-2398220.jpeg?fit=1880%2C1255&ssl=1","alt":"silhouette of person standing near camping tent"},"title":"How to backpack on a budget","postMeta":[],"author":{"name":"Daleen Cowgar","link":"https:\/\/sparkshikesmountains.com\/author\/jayleemorgan\/"},"date":"May 8, 2024","dateGMT":"2024-05-08 21:45:31","modifiedDate":"2025-06-11 11:34:12","modifiedDateGMT":"2025-06-11 15:34:12","commentCount":"0","commentStatus":"open","categories":{"coma":"<a href=\"https:\/\/sparkshikesmountains.com\/category\/gear\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Gear<\/a>","space":"<a href=\"https:\/\/sparkshikesmountains.com\/category\/gear\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Gear<\/a>"},"taxonomies":{"post_tag":"<a href='https:\/\/sparkshikesmountains.com\/tag\/backpacking\/' rel='post_tag'>Backpacking<\/a><a href='https:\/\/sparkshikesmountains.com\/tag\/backpacking-gear\/' rel='post_tag'>backpacking gear<\/a><a href='https:\/\/sparkshikesmountains.com\/tag\/backpacking-tent\/' rel='post_tag'>backpacking tent<\/a><a href='https:\/\/sparkshikesmountains.com\/tag\/gear-list\/' rel='post_tag'>Gear List<\/a><a href='https:\/\/sparkshikesmountains.com\/tag\/sleeping-bag\/' rel='post_tag'>sleeping bag<\/a>"},"readTime":{"min":7,"sec":36},"status":"publish","excerpt":""},{"id":1113,"link":"https:\/\/sparkshikesmountains.com\/best-backpacking-sleeping-bag\/","name":"best-backpacking-sleeping-bag","thumbnail":{"url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sparkshikesmountains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/pexels-photo-15310519.jpeg?fit=1880%2C1255&ssl=1","alt":"waterfall seen from tent"},"title":"Best backpacking sleeping bags for 2024","postMeta":[],"author":{"name":"Daleen Cowgar","link":"https:\/\/sparkshikesmountains.com\/author\/jayleemorgan\/"},"date":"Mar 7, 2024","dateGMT":"2024-03-07 22:00:00","modifiedDate":"2025-06-11 11:27:53","modifiedDateGMT":"2025-06-11 15:27:53","commentCount":"0","commentStatus":"open","categories":{"coma":"<a href=\"https:\/\/sparkshikesmountains.com\/category\/gear\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Gear<\/a>","space":"<a href=\"https:\/\/sparkshikesmountains.com\/category\/gear\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Gear<\/a>"},"taxonomies":{"post_tag":"<a href='https:\/\/sparkshikesmountains.com\/tag\/backpacking\/' rel='post_tag'>Backpacking<\/a><a href='https:\/\/sparkshikesmountains.com\/tag\/backpacking-gear\/' rel='post_tag'>backpacking gear<\/a><a href='https:\/\/sparkshikesmountains.com\/tag\/quilt\/' rel='post_tag'>quilt<\/a>"},"readTime":{"min":6,"sec":33},"status":"publish","excerpt":""},{"id":1018,"link":"https:\/\/sparkshikesmountains.com\/featherstone-moondance-25-top-quilt\/","name":"featherstone-moondance-25-top-quilt","thumbnail":{"url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sparkshikesmountains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/PXL_20240218_125302266.jpg?fit=3076%2C4096&ssl=1","alt":""},"title":"Featherstone Moondance 25 Top Quilt review","postMeta":[],"author":{"name":"Daleen Cowgar","link":"https:\/\/sparkshikesmountains.com\/author\/jayleemorgan\/"},"date":"Mar 1, 2024","dateGMT":"2024-03-01 12:00:00","modifiedDate":"2025-06-11 11:26:34","modifiedDateGMT":"2025-06-11 15:26:34","commentCount":"0","commentStatus":"closed","categories":{"coma":"<a href=\"https:\/\/sparkshikesmountains.com\/category\/gear\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Gear<\/a>","space":"<a href=\"https:\/\/sparkshikesmountains.com\/category\/gear\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Gear<\/a>"},"taxonomies":{"post_tag":"<a href='https:\/\/sparkshikesmountains.com\/tag\/backpacking-gear\/' rel='post_tag'>backpacking gear<\/a><a href='https:\/\/sparkshikesmountains.com\/tag\/backpacking-tent\/' rel='post_tag'>backpacking tent<\/a><a href='https:\/\/sparkshikesmountains.com\/tag\/featherstone-outdoor\/' rel='post_tag'>Featherstone Outdoor<\/a>"},"readTime":{"min":4,"sec":43},"status":"publish","excerpt":""},{"id":1003,"link":"https:\/\/sparkshikesmountains.com\/the-good-sleeps-and-good-eats-giveaway\/","name":"the-good-sleeps-and-good-eats-giveaway","thumbnail":{"url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sparkshikesmountains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/Good-Sleeps-and-Good-Eats-Blog-Header.png?fit=2240%2C1260&ssl=1","alt":""},"title":"The Good Sleeps and Good Eats giveaway","postMeta":[],"author":{"name":"Daleen Cowgar","link":"https:\/\/sparkshikesmountains.com\/author\/jayleemorgan\/"},"date":"Feb 23, 2024","dateGMT":"2024-02-23 11:00:00","modifiedDate":"2024-03-23 12:23:59","modifiedDateGMT":"2024-03-23 16:23:59","commentCount":"0","commentStatus":"open","categories":{"coma":"<a href=\"https:\/\/sparkshikesmountains.com\/category\/gear\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Gear<\/a>","space":"<a href=\"https:\/\/sparkshikesmountains.com\/category\/gear\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Gear<\/a>"},"taxonomies":{"post_tag":"<a href='https:\/\/sparkshikesmountains.com\/tag\/backpacking-gear\/' rel='post_tag'>backpacking gear<\/a><a href='https:\/\/sparkshikesmountains.com\/tag\/featherstone-outdoor\/' rel='post_tag'>Featherstone Outdoor<\/a><a href='https:\/\/sparkshikesmountains.com\/tag\/giveaway\/' rel='post_tag'>giveaway<\/a>"},"readTime":{"min":1,"sec":32},"status":"publish","excerpt":""},{"id":1032,"link":"https:\/\/sparkshikesmountains.com\/best-hiking-boots\/","name":"best-hiking-boots","thumbnail":{"url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sparkshikesmountains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/PXL_20230420_221100955.jpg?fit=4032%2C3024&ssl=1","alt":""},"title":"Best hiking boots in 2024","postMeta":[],"author":{"name":"Daleen Cowgar","link":"https:\/\/sparkshikesmountains.com\/author\/jayleemorgan\/"},"date":"Feb 16, 2024","dateGMT":"2024-02-16 12:00:00","modifiedDate":"2025-04-01 22:34:05","modifiedDateGMT":"2025-04-02 02:34:05","commentCount":"2","commentStatus":"open","categories":{"coma":"<a href=\"https:\/\/sparkshikesmountains.com\/category\/gear\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Gear<\/a>","space":"<a href=\"https:\/\/sparkshikesmountains.com\/category\/gear\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Gear<\/a>"},"taxonomies":{"post_tag":"<a href='https:\/\/sparkshikesmountains.com\/tag\/backpacking-gear\/' rel='post_tag'>backpacking gear<\/a><a href='https:\/\/sparkshikesmountains.com\/tag\/hiking-boots\/' rel='post_tag'>hiking boots<\/a>"},"readTime":{"min":3,"sec":33},"status":"publish","excerpt":""},{"id":937,"link":"https:\/\/sparkshikesmountains.com\/flying-with-camping-gear\/","name":"flying-with-camping-gear","thumbnail":{"url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sparkshikesmountains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/wing-plane-flying-airplane-62623.jpeg?fit=1880%2C1253&ssl=1","alt":"gray plane wing"},"title":"Flying with camping gear","postMeta":[],"author":{"name":"Daleen Cowgar","link":"https:\/\/sparkshikesmountains.com\/author\/jayleemorgan\/"},"date":"Feb 2, 2024","dateGMT":"2024-02-02 12:00:00","modifiedDate":"2024-03-28 15:35:38","modifiedDateGMT":"2024-03-28 19:35:38","commentCount":"0","commentStatus":"open","categories":{"coma":"<a href=\"https:\/\/sparkshikesmountains.com\/category\/backpacking-101\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Backpacking 101<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/sparkshikesmountains.com\/category\/gear\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Gear<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/sparkshikesmountains.com\/category\/weekend-adventures\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Weekend Adventures<\/a>","space":"<a href=\"https:\/\/sparkshikesmountains.com\/category\/backpacking-101\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Backpacking 101<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/sparkshikesmountains.com\/category\/gear\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Gear<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/sparkshikesmountains.com\/category\/weekend-adventures\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Weekend Adventures<\/a>"},"taxonomies":{"post_tag":"<a href='https:\/\/sparkshikesmountains.com\/tag\/car-camping\/' rel='post_tag'>car camping<\/a><a href='https:\/\/sparkshikesmountains.com\/tag\/gear-list\/' rel='post_tag'>Gear List<\/a>"},"readTime":{"min":5,"sec":13},"status":"publish","excerpt":""},{"id":824,"link":"https:\/\/sparkshikesmountains.com\/ul-granite-2p-featherstone-tent-review\/","name":"ul-granite-2p-featherstone-tent-review","thumbnail":{"url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sparkshikesmountains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/PXL_20231230_143616967.jpg?fit=4096%2C3076&ssl=1","alt":""},"title":"UL Granite 2P Featherstone tent: Best budget backpacking tent","postMeta":[],"author":{"name":"Daleen Cowgar","link":"https:\/\/sparkshikesmountains.com\/author\/jayleemorgan\/"},"date":"Jan 12, 2024","dateGMT":"2024-01-12 13:13:00","modifiedDate":"2025-06-11 16:36:52","modifiedDateGMT":"2025-06-11 20:36:52","commentCount":"0","commentStatus":"open","categories":{"coma":"<a href=\"https:\/\/sparkshikesmountains.com\/category\/gear\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Gear<\/a>","space":"<a href=\"https:\/\/sparkshikesmountains.com\/category\/gear\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Gear<\/a>"},"taxonomies":{"post_tag":"<a href='https:\/\/sparkshikesmountains.com\/tag\/backpacking-gear\/' rel='post_tag'>backpacking gear<\/a><a href='https:\/\/sparkshikesmountains.com\/tag\/backpacking-tent\/' rel='post_tag'>backpacking tent<\/a>"},"readTime":{"min":3,"sec":31},"status":"publish","excerpt":""},{"id":794,"link":"https:\/\/sparkshikesmountains.com\/best-backpacking-tent\/","name":"best-backpacking-tent","thumbnail":{"url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sparkshikesmountains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/PXL_20230419_235852742.jpg?fit=4032%2C3024&ssl=1","alt":""},"title":"Best backpacking tents in 2024","postMeta":[],"author":{"name":"Daleen Cowgar","link":"https:\/\/sparkshikesmountains.com\/author\/jayleemorgan\/"},"date":"Jan 5, 2024","dateGMT":"2024-01-05 14:00:00","modifiedDate":"2025-06-11 16:35:55","modifiedDateGMT":"2025-06-11 20:35:55","commentCount":"0","commentStatus":"open","categories":{"coma":"<a href=\"https:\/\/sparkshikesmountains.com\/category\/gear\/\" rel=\"category 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href=\"https:\/\/sparkshikesmountains.com\/category\/appalachian-trail\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Appalachian Trail<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/sparkshikesmountains.com\/category\/gear\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Gear<\/a>","space":"<a href=\"https:\/\/sparkshikesmountains.com\/category\/appalachian-trail\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Appalachian Trail<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/sparkshikesmountains.com\/category\/gear\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Gear<\/a>"},"taxonomies":{"post_tag":"<a href='https:\/\/sparkshikesmountains.com\/tag\/appalachian-trail\/' rel='post_tag'>Appalachian Trail<\/a><a href='https:\/\/sparkshikesmountains.com\/tag\/backpacking-gear\/' rel='post_tag'>backpacking gear<\/a><a href='https:\/\/sparkshikesmountains.com\/tag\/backpacks\/' 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A passion for the outdoors

Level up your outdoor adventures. Learn more about gear, weekend backpacking trips, thru hiking, and more. Here are a couple posts and topics to get you started!

Gear reviews

When you’re hiking, you need to know you can trust your gear. I never promote products I wouldn’t use myself.

Weekend backpacking trips

Trying to find weekend backpacking trips can be hard when you’re busy with a 9-5. Check out some of my favorite trips here.

Backpacking 101

New to backpacking? Not sure how to get into it? Don’t worry; I’ve got you covered!

Backpacking gear list

See my gear list, complete with a downloadable version, so you never have to worry about forgetting things again.

How to plan a backpacking trip

Ready to take on your first trip? Use this guide to get you started off on the right foot!

Thru hiking

In 2023, I set off to hike the Appalachian Trail from start to finish. Five months later, I completed it. Here’s some things I learned along the way.

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