For two years, I worked toward a lofty life dream: to outfit a van and drive from California to Patagonia. By last winter, plans were finally coming to fruition. I quit my job, my boyfriend and I set a date to move out of our house, and our van was,…
Browsing CategoryHow-To
5 Backpacking Skills to Master in the New Year
If you’re new to backpacking and you’ve done a short trip or two, you might be eager to try a more challenging hike. Maybe you want to do a longer trip and backpack for a week or longer. Or, perhaps you’d like to explore a place that’s more remote and…
11 Tips for Winter Camping
If you typically put away your camping gear during the winter and leave it stowed until spring, you’re missing out on some great days in the outdoors. During the winter, the bare trees reveal mountain views you just can’t get in the warmer months, and the cold conditions drive off…
Tips on Preventing and Treating Blisters
What’s a hiker’s worst and most common enemy? Bears? Weather? No! It’s the common, but painful, blister. Even a short day hike can seem like a death march when you have blisters, but there are ways to prevent this suffering, or at least reduce the pain. The key is to…
The Ten Essentials: What They Are and Why You Need Them for Every Hike
The 2,140-acre Monte Sano State Park in Huntsville has long enchanted hikers, campers, and cyclists with its vibrant fall foliage, scenic trails, and resplendent views. Yet a relaxing day at the park can quickly turn sour. A 24-year-old hiker experienced this firsthand in February 2017, when she went missing after…
7 Tips for Camping with Kids
Did you switch out the car seats into the SUV? Did you pack sunscreen? What about bug spray? Oh shoot, we need to bring Lil’ Bear or else Ella will be in full-on riot mode at bedtime. All parents know how difficult it can be to just get out the…
How to Protect Yourself from the Elements on Your Next Hike
Whether you’re hiking in the mountains, the desert, or anywhere in between, preparation for the natural elements is a big part of planning any outdoor trip. Exposure on a hike can mean many different things, none of them good: lack of shade or shelter, prolonged time spent at altitude or…
4 Rookie Mistakes Made by First-Time Backpackers
“Where is it? It has to be here somewhere.” I was standing in a parking lot in Yellowstone National Park staring at a mess of gear strewn across the pavement. “Where’s the rainfly for the tent?” One thousand miles away in my apartment in Dana Point, Calif., that’s where it…
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2023 Mail Drop Locations for Thru and Section Hikers
Tackling one of the USA’s amazing long-distance trails is an exciting and daunting prospect, especially when it comes to long term meal planning. To help with a little of the planning we’ve put together mail drop maps for three of the most popular hiking trails: Appalachian Trail, John Muir Trail and…
How to Store Freeze-Dried & Dehydrated Foods
One of the most common questions we receive is how to store freeze-dried & dehydrated ingredients once you’ve opened the package. And in all honesty, it’s a great question! These are not your typical fruits and vegetables: they can be fragile, extremely sensitive and most of all — we’d like…