About Peaks and Packs

Explore more. Spend less. Travel better.

Trip breakdowns, hiking guides, and points strategies to help you travel smarter without overcomplicating it.

Peaks and Packs exists because outdoor travel kept feeling more expensive and complicated than it needed to be.

So I learned how to use points and miles to change that. Most of my trips now – national parks, mountain towns, international hikes – are booked for a fraction of their cash cost. I share exactly how I do it, with real numbers and honest takes.

Here you’ll find:

  • full trip breakdowns (what I’ve redeemed, what it would’ve cost, what was actually worth it)
  • hiking guides that skip the ego
  • points strategies that don’t require a finance degree

A lot of my early trips were rushed. I’m still figuring out how to slow down and travel better. I’ll share what that looks like in practice too.

No bucket list energy. Just good trails, smarter booking, and trips that actually feel like trips.

A woman walks through a meadow of orange wildflowers with snowcapped mountains in the background.
Ethereal mist envelops a serene coniferous forest in Bavaria creating a tranquil scene.

What You’ll Find Here

  • Trip breakdowns with real points and cash comparisons
  • Hiking guides and destination recs for outdoor travelers
  • Points and miles strategy – practical, not overwhelming
  • Honest reflections from the road

Trip Breakdowns

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Points & Miles

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Trails & Destinations

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  • Colorful wildflowers bloom in a scenic alpine meadow with mountain backdrop under a blue sky.
  • Breathtaking view of the Swiss Alps reflecting in a tranquil lake near Sachseln.
  • Open book placed on a vibrant green grass field with clover leaves and small flowers.
  • Cozy campfire against a mountain backdrop at twilight in Valea Drăganului, Romania.
  • A perfect moment of relaxation captured from a hammock by the lake during sunset.
  • A breathtaking view of a mountainous pathway surrounded by lush pine trees under a bright summer sky.
  • Hands pouring coffee into a mug in beautiful outdoor setting, inspiring adventure.

Where I actually slow down. And what makes a trip feel worth it.

Usually it’s not the most expensive option or the most popular destination. It’s the one that was planned well enough to actually enjoy.

Not the most popular stops. Not the busiest itineraries.

Forest air, quiet trails, and trips that weren’t rushed or overplanned.
That’s what I’m learning to prioritize.