Zoe Gates

Boulder

Assistant Skills Editor at Backpacker Magazine

Skills Editor @backpackermag

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Articles

Zoe Gates Archives

6 days ago | backpacker.com | Zoe Gates |Corey Buhay |Emma Veidt |Louisa Albanese
What I Wish I Knew Before My First Mountaineering Trip

1 month ago | backpacker.com | Zoe Gates

Heading out the door? Read this article on the new Outside+ app available now on iOS devices for members! Download the app. For longtime hikers and backpackers, the desire to tackle bigger, more technical mountains tends to come around eventually. Spend enough time staring at glaciated peaks from camp, and sooner or later, you'll want to climb one yourself. I'd been mountaineering-curious for years when I signed up for a course on Washington's Mt. Baker last May.
What’s the Best Underwear for Backpacking?

1 month ago | outsideonline.com | Zoe Gates

When I bought my first pair of Merino wool underwear—a pair of Ibex briefs—from a Vermont gear shop in 2017, it was a game changer. I dubbed them my “adventure undies,” since they were the first pair I’d reach for when packing for every type of outing. On long hikes, multiweek canoe camping trips, and snowy mountain excursions, they beat out my other undergarments in every category: comfort, breathability, and a feeling of relative cleanliness I crave when crawling into my sleeping bag at night.
What's the Best Underwear for Backpacking?

1 month ago | backpacker.com | Zoe Gates

Heading out the door? Read this article on the new Outside+ app available now on iOS devices for members! Download the app. When I bought my first pair of Merino wool underwear-a pair of Ibex briefs -from a Vermont gear shop in 2017, it was a game changer. I dubbed them my "adventure undies," since they were the first pair I'd reach for when packing for every type of outing.
How Much Weight Can My Dog Carry on the Trail?

1 month ago | backpacker.com | Zoe Gates

Heading out the door? Read this article on the new Outside+ app available now on iOS devices for members! Download the app. My dog's first backpacking trip was a momentous occasion-I'd taken her on increasingly difficult hikes throughout her puppyhood, dreaming about all of the extended adventures we could take once she was fully grown and trail fit.
Pacific Crest Trail Association Drastically Reduces Trail Work Due to Federal Funding Cuts

1 month ago | outsideonline.com | Zoe Gates

The Pacific Crest Trail Association (PCTA), the non-profit organization responsible for preserving and promoting the West Coast’s iconic 2,650-mile trail, announced on Wednesday that it will drastically reduce its planned program of work in 2025. According to a statement on the organization’s website, the decision is a result of delayed grant funding, which is part of the administration’s efforts to reduce federal spending.
Pacific Crest Trail Association Cancels A Year's Worth of Maintenance Due to Federal Funding Cuts

2 months ago | backpacker.com | Zoe Gates

Heading out the door? Read this article on the new Outside+ app available now on iOS devices for members! Download the app. The Pacific Crest Trail Association (PCTA), the non-profit organization responsible for preserving and promoting the West Coast's iconic 2,650-mile trail, announced on Wednesday that it will drastically reduce its planned program of work in 2025.
What's the Difference Between AT and PCT Hikers? A Lot, According to These Surveys.

2 months ago | backpacker.com | Zoe Gates

Heading out the door? Read this article on the new Outside+ app available now on iOS devices for members! Download the app. Backpackers love data: Which layering system will help me shave ounces from my kit? How much elevation gain does this trail alternate add to a route? How many calories should I pack if I hike two miles per hour over three mountain passes?
7 Gear Essentials for a Romantic Backcountry Picnic

2 months ago | backpacker.com | Zoe Gates

Heading out the door? Read this article on the new Outside+ app available now on iOS devices for members! Download the app. For a hike-loving couple, there's nothing more romantic than alpenglow-drenched mountain views, lakeside campsites, and nights spent together under the stars. So this Valentine's Day, skip the dinner reservations and treat your love to a lavish backcountry picnic for two.
Winterize Your Canister Stove with this Hack

2 months ago | backpacker.com | Zoe Gates

Heading out the door? Read this article on the new Outside+ app available now on iOS devices for members! Download the app. When you're settling into camp on a cold, snowy evening, there's nothing you want more than a hot beverage and a warm meal. But heating water in the backcountry can look a little different in the winter than it does on warm-weather backpacking trip.