Camping & Hiking

Trip guides, packing lists, and trail skills. First up: powering your campsite the smart way.

Field NotesOff-Grid Power

Two Nights at Camp 3, Kern River Valley: Running A/C on Solar + Generator in a Heat Wave

A hot two-night river trip and the power setup that kept the A/C running — 500W of solar, a generator, and dual charging.

6 min read
ReviewCamp Kitchen

Ninja Woodfire Outdoor Grill Review: Reverse-Seared Tri Tip Off the Grid

The best tri tip we've cooked at camp — real wood smoke, no propane tank, no charcoal to haul.

7 min read
GuideOff-Grid Power

Winter Camping Power: Why Everything Dies in the Cold (and How to Stop It)

The triple tax of cold on batteries, the three mistakes behind every winter power failure, and their fixes.

8 min read
GuideCamping

California Coast Campgrounds You Can Actually Book (and How)

San Elijo to Kirk Creek — the sites worth the battle and the reservation tactics that land them.

8 min read
GuideHiking

Day-Hike Essentials That Actually Fit in a 20L Pack

The ten essentials modernized, the 12-oz power kit, and what to gleefully leave home.

6 min read
Head-to-HeadOff-Grid Power

DJI Power 1000 vs EcoFlow Delta 3 Ultra Plus: Which Fits Your Camp Style?

A 31-lb weekender battery vs a 3,072Wh basecamp powerhouse — honest verdicts for four camper types.

9 min read
ChecklistRV Life

The First-Time RV Trip Checklist: 40 Things People Forget

Organized by the moment you'll miss each item — departure, arrival, camp life, power, and the drive home.

7 min read

More guides in this category are on the way — check the blog for the latest.