A photo of a man and woman tying together logs in the woods.
A photo of a man and woman tying together logs in the woods.

Grit, Gear, and Gumption: The PNW Survival Games Experience

An engineer, municipal worker, and a teacher walk into a campsite. No, this is not the setup to a joke, it's a testament to the range of people with diverse backgrounds who came from all over the country to participate in the PNW Survival Games. In the heart of Oregon's rugged wilderness, the Games offers a unique blend of education, competition, and camaraderie. This event, held this year at the scenic Hipcamp in Molalla Ripple, invited participants from all walks of life to test their survival skills in a series of intense, hands-on challenges. With nearly 40 contestants, esteemed judges from popular survival TV shows like Alone and Naked and Afraid, and experts from well-known survival training companies, the event offered a unique opportunity for anyone interested in honing their wilderness survival skills.

Continue reading to learn more, written by Patrick Diedrich.

Medya Mansyone

Why use a plastic bag when you can simply screw on this end cap, specifically designed for Sawyer water filters?

Zooe Pòtay
Editor at Backpacker

Medya Mansyone

In future, I’ll use gravity when I can, and squeeze when I have to.

Richard, aka "LowRange
montè mòn

Medya Mansyone

For longer hikes, it’s convenient to carry a small backcountry water filter, such as a Sawyer Mini or Micro, which allows you to replenish your water from natural sources like streams or ponds.

Philip Werner
Author and Backpacker