InHappy HikersbyAshoka Upadhya·Aug 28How I Pack for Backpacking: What Works for MePractical lessons from my trips for packing lighter, staying organized, and being prepared.
InHappy HikersbyEP Komarla·Aug 24Chasing Reflections and High-Altitude Wonders: Backpacking the Twenty Lakes BasinA weekend escape into the granite and glacial waters just outside Yosemite’s eastern gateway — complete with alpine views, wild weather…
InHappy HikersbySkanda Swamy·Jul 31Mt. Langley, Beyond the SummitI asked the mountain to give me an opportunity to see the world from its summit. Benevolent as the mountain was, like the rest of the…A response icon7A response icon7
InHappy HikersbyAshoka Upadhya·Jul 30A Face-to-Face Bear Encounter — and Why Preparation Helped Me Stay CalmSeeing wildlife is one of the most exciting parts of hiking and backpacking. But encountering a bear on a narrow trail, while completely…
InHappy HikersbyAshoka Upadhya·Jul 13Can I Do This Hike? A Simple Way to Find OutA practical guide to comparing distance, elevation gain, terrain, altitude, and past hiking experience before taking on a new trail.
InHappy HikersbyAshoka Upadhya·Jul 11From the Bay Area to Machu Picchu: The Journey of 23 Happy HikersA five-day journey across the Andes became more than reaching Machu Picchu. It was about testing our limits, supporting one another…A response icon1A response icon1
InHappy HikersbyEP Komarla·Jul 8What Hiking the Salkantay Pass Taught Me About Colonization, Coffee, and ResilienceHow a grueling five-day trek through the high Andes re-framed my perspective on history, heritage, and my own Indian roots.
InHappy HikersbyAshoka Upadhya·Mar 29How Backpacking Changes the Way You See ThingsLessons from the trail that slowly shape life off the trail
InHappy HikersbyAshoka Upadhya·Mar 28I Didn’t Ask “Why Am I Here?”I just accepted it and kept movingA response icon1A response icon1
