It’s exciting to get out on a backpacking trip but don’t let your haste keep you from properly packing your backpack. Knowing how to properly pack your backpack will mean the difference between a pleasant hike and a back injury. Too many people toss their gear and clothes into their backpacks and hit the trail. […]
Backcountry Skills
How to Orient a Map
Knowing how to orient a map is important to all hikers and backpackers. It can be pretty easy to get yourself lost in the woods but, with the right skills, you can decrease the likelihood of getting yourself lost. Orienting a map is one of the simpler steps you can take to prevent yourself from […]
How to Treat a Burn in the Backcountry
Being out in the wild can be overwhelming at times. Carelessness around a fire, a hot stove or pot is an easy way to get yourself burned. As a fairly common backcountry injury, knowing how to treat a burn is important to prevent them from becoming a trip halting problem. In order to properly treat […]
How to Prevent and Treat Blisters While Hiking
A long hike out in the wild can take its toll on your feet. Blisters are a common problem for hikers caused by friction on your feet as they get sweaty and rub against your socks and boots. As a result, you end up developing hot spots and ultimately develops that all too familiar bubble […]
How to Prevent Ankle Injury While Hiking
A long hike can put a lot of stress on your ankles. Simply walking for a long period of time puts a lot of pressure on your ankles and feet; add to that the uneven terrain, keeping your ankles strong becomes incredibly important to prevent ankle injury while hiking for any period of time. The […]
Don’t Get Lost! How to Prepare for It and What to Do If it Happens
Whether you are an experienced hiker or a just getting started, at some point you’ll end up in a position where you’re not quite sure exactly where you are. Trust me, there’s nothing fun about being lost in the backcountry (unless that’s the adventure you’re looking for), but every now and then it happens. Trail […]
5 Common Mistakes Hikers Make On the Trail
Hiking is a great way to get outside and enjoy nature, get some exercise and enjoy the company of friends and family. As spring, summer and fall come around, new people are taking to the trail every weekend. Plenty of hikers, both experienced and novices, tend to over think their hike and pack too much, […]
Beginners Guide to Camping
Camping is an incredible experience letting you get in touch with nature in ways few other experiences can. In order to discover the wonders of the great outdoors, it’s important to adopt appropriate camping etiquette to ensure a peaceful experience for you and anyone else who may be camping nearby. Be Considerate As you arrive […]
How to Prepare for a Camping Trip
Camping is a great way to get in touch with the great outdoors. Nothing can beat the feeling of waking up to the sound of a river, stream or a waterfall. The best part of camping is that it is an activity enjoyed with family and friends, so it makes for a great outing. However, as […]
The Basics: Building a Campfire
Building a campfire is one of the great treats of camping. There’s almost nothing more relaxing than the smell of burning embers, the orange glow of the flame and the sound of crackling firewood. Besides, do s’mores ever taste better than when they’re cooked on an open flame? Learning the proper technique of building a […]