Author
hanalarock
I'm Hana- a freelance travel writer and teacher who currently lives in South Korea. I'm originally from New York, but have spent the last two years traveling and living abroad. My first time hiking in the US was when I traveled around the country as a teenager. Though, my first adult backpacking trip was a year ago, when I hiked from Thailand down to Singapore for a month. I'm looking forward to many more adventures in the future. Visit my site for more information.
316 articles
Backcountry Destinations
10 Amazing Spots You Wouldn’t Believe are in America
The world is filled with some unique places that look as if they belong in another dimension. We’ve seen them before in images that look too beautiful for us to even believe they actually exist. The more you backpack, the more you discover how fascinating nature really is. We just don’t take enough time to […]
1 min read · Nov 23, 2015 · hanalarock
Backpacking
8 Great Sunglasses for Backpackers
While on the trail, it’s essential to protect your eyes. In addition to protecting your skin, your head, your body, and yourself from danger, many forget that the eyes need to be just as protected. For those who wear glasses and even those who don’t, there’s plenty of eyewear out there that will keep your […]
1 min read · Nov 19, 2015 · hanalarock
Backcountry Destinations
9 Cities in the US Meant for Hikers
There’s no doubt that there are certain places in the US that are just destined for backpackers. If you’re from a place where you need a car to go anywhere or there’s no room for a car because you live in a city, then you can understand. If you’re one of those people wondering what it would be […]
1 min read · Nov 18, 2015 · hanalarock
Backcountry Skills
10 Things You Wish You Knew Before Backpacking
Is there anything you would have done differently before that big backpacking trip? Most backpackers will tell you that they don’t have any regrets when it comes to hitting the trail, but perhaps there were some things they wish they could go back in time and fix, if only they had known before hand. Unfortunately, […]
1 min read · Nov 17, 2015 · hanalarock
Backcountry Skills
10 Ways to Stay Clean on the Trail
One of my pet peeves while I’m hiking is the inability to take a nice, long shower after a day of sweating and getting dirty. Though that’s the fun part for many people, for me, I start to feel like I have bugs crawling all over me. If you’re the same, then you know that […]
1 min read · Nov 16, 2015 · hanalarock
Backcountry Skills
How to Be Environmentally Friendly While on the Trail
If you love being outdoors, then it’s safe to assume that you care about the land you are walking on, and you don’t want to harm it. While most backpackers try their best to be conscious of not leaving trash around or making sure to use gear that’s environmentally friendly, let’s face it; not all of […]
1 min read · Nov 12, 2015 · hanalarock
Backcountry Destinations
College Campuses for Students Who Love The Outdoors
With college applications due this month, high school seniors everywhere will need to soon be making decisions about where they want to spend the next four years of their lives. While some kids are looking for the party atmosphere, smaller classes, or a diverse campus, other students are looking for opportunities to get outside as […]
1 min read · Nov 11, 2015 · hanalarock
Backpacking
How to Convince Someone To Go Backpacking For Their First Time
For those out there who have a passion for backpacking (most likely, you), then you’ve probably had that feeling that you wish you could share the special moments with (insert name here). Unfortunately, we know all too well that trying to get someone to backpack who has stated their disinterest several times, can be a […]
1 min read · Nov 10, 2015 · hanalarock
Backpacking
7 Historical Backpackers That Everyone Should Know
Although backpacking is done by many nowadays, it wasn’t always that way. In the past, there were very few people who were known for getting out there and hiking. Those who did were admired and remembered for centuries to come. Though, nowadays there are many backpackers who have gotten credit for their achievements, let’s not forget these […]
1 min read · Nov 9, 2015 · hanalarock
Backcountry Skills
A Backpacker’s Guide to the Night Sky
Though most backpackers rely on detailed maps or GPS devices to help them navigate through the wilderness, there are ways to use the sky to help guide you as well. Using stars was not only the first way explorers got around, but they were also used to determine many other things, like calendars, harvests, fortune […]
1 min read · Nov 6, 2015 · hanalarock
Backcountry Skills
How to Protect Your Skin While Hiking
Your skin is the largest organ in your body and thus very susceptible to damage. When you’re out in the backcountry, it’s essential that you take care of your skin just as much as you take care of what’s inside of it. No matter where you are or what time of year it is, taking […]
1 min read · Nov 5, 2015 · hanalarock
Hiking
9 Crazy Discoveries Backpackers Made While Hiking
This past week, a Norwegian hiker came across something unexpected during his hike in the Haukeli region of Norway. While hiking, Goran Olsen noticed an object lying beneath some rocks, and when he went to investigate, he realized what he saw was a unique-looking sword. It turns out the sword once belonged to a viking, and […]
1 min read · Nov 4, 2015 · hanalarock