It’s supported you loyally throughout the years, but bringing worn-out gear into the back country can do you far more harm than good. Here’s a quick guide for when to replace key gear. Boots: Your boots should be allowed to go hike the great trail in the sky when: Your soles wear thin and smooth….
The five Ws of outdoor exploration … Take a walk with your kids in the wild and discover some of the incredible plants and creatures right outside your doorstep.Educating yourself ahead of time on the natural wonders of your neighborhood will leave you an “outdoor expert” armed with an arsenal of fun impromptu lessons…
Admit it, you’re lost. It’s a scary feeling, especially if you’ve been out for more than one day, even more so if you have hurt yourself badly enough that you can’t travel far. In addition to your 10 essentials and adequate preparation for your trip, here’s a (not comprehensive) list of some goodies that might…
A recent hike with my exuberant little niece made me think of how important it is to get your kids out into nature. Here are a few tips to help you addict your kids to hiking. • Make it fun. If you want your kids to be excited to go hiking with you again, don’t…
Hiking up the steep slope of a mountain can be hot and sweaty. The refreshingly cool feeling of raindrops merrily pelting off your head in a sudden downpour is a welcome relief. Getting rained on can be fun, but it’s easy to get chilled to the bone if you’re not properly prepared. As we’ve seen…
Next time you get annoyed when a ranger asks you for your permit, sit back and think for a moment. Do you like to hike our local trails? Look at the nice, smooth trail stretching out in front of you. It’s so easy to only see what is in front of us, and not all…
Why is it that some people seem to bounce back and be ready for another day of hiking right away, while others may well be limping around in misery for days afterwards? Understanding healing Any strenuous activity such as hiking causes some damage to the body. This damage causes inflammation that kicks off the cycle…
Ever find it hard to get back on the trail again after a big meal? Or be hiking along and suddenly bonk? When backpacking, when you eat can be as important as what you eat. In order to keep your body in the best shape to move up the trail, you need to eat the…
For most hikers, winter spells the end of the hiking season until the spring thaw brings us back out from our caves. But wait, before you hunker down by the fireplace with a good book, take just a little time out to make sure you put away your gear properly so that it’ll be there…
On the last few rescues, a very distinct chill has been in the air. I’ve learned through hard experience that the essence of staying safely warm in the winter wilderness is having proper clothing layers and knowing how to use them effectively. Here’s some info to help keep you toasty while hiking this winter. Why…
