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 […]
Hiking
6 of The Most Terrifying Trails in America
Kalalau Trail, Hawaii Why it’s Terrifying There are many risks involved in hiking Kalalau Trail. Three stream crossings here are known to rise unexpectedly and rapidly. There are also very narrow and long sections that are difficult to maneuver. One wrong step can be fatal. Other hazards include wild animals, extreme rainfall, dangerous plants, falling […]
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, […]
Hiking in Cleveland National Forest
Ever have one of those days where you start off with a destination in mind and end up somewhere completely different? As an explorer, those days really charge me up. How can I resist the lure of a new challenge, new terrain and new views? This past weekend, my wife Lindsey and I went hiking […]
First Aid Checklist
In the backcountry, regardless of how careful you are, there’s going to be a point at which you’re going to need a first aid. Whether it’s you or someone else, when you’re spending that much time in the outdoors, someone’s going to get hurt. It’s just the way it goes. We’ve scoured our books, checklists […]
Hiking Mission Trails Regional Park – Kwaay Paay Summit
Today we went hiking in Mission Trails Regional Park and specifically did the Kwaay Paay Summit, which brought us up to 1,194 feet. I would give the difficulty rating on this trail about a 3 or a 3.5 out of a 5 because it’s a fairly aggressive hill to approach the mountain and then a […]
Training to Hike the Grand Canyon
Recently I made the decision, along with a couple friends of mine to hike the Grand Canyon this fall. It seemed like a great idea over a few beers (ok, maybe more than a few), as I’d grown up hiking and backpacking and continued to hike fairly regularly…or so I’d told myself. See, what I’d […]