Topics of Expertise: Camping, Hiking, Backpacking, Outdoor Gear, National Parks
Years in This Expertise: 5+
Number Of Products & Number Of Hours Expert Has Tested: 200+ products, 10,000+ hours
Education & Certifications
Education: Bachelor’s Degree in History, Minor in Education, Colorado College
Years of Writing: 1+
Certifications: Mental Health First Aid (expired), CPR (expired)
A Word from Xiaoling Keller
I’ve always enjoyed sharing my adventures with others in hopes of inspiring them to get outside as well, so writing for GearJunkie is the perfect way to do that with a larger audience.
For the past five years, I’ve been living nomadically. Most recently, I finished a thru hike on the Appalachian Trail which has been a dream since childhood. I’ve also lived outside for multiple months at a time, with just a rental car and tent. My boyfriend and I have visited 48 of the 63 U.S. National Parks with plans to experience all of them. My personal interests include: backpacking, camping, hiking, photography, van life without a van, and eating plant-based meals.
Nothing beats backpacking in a National Park, but it requires a lot of planning and permits. Here’s a short list of our favorite backpacking itineraries,…
Located on the border of Mexico in the southwest corner of Texas, Big Bend National Park offers plenty of camping, hiking, backpacking, rafting, and more!
In 2021, West Virginia’s New River Gorge became the 63rd national park in the U.S. It offers whitewater rafting, free primitive camping, and much more.
Most backpacking all-in-one systems consist of a simple stove, pot, and lid. Here’s why you should consider adding a skillet to the mix. We review the…
