Most people think hiking season commences in the spring and concludes after the summer, however, fall and winter are some of the best seasons to visit the trails – especially the national parks. The trails are less crowded than in the summer, which means you can take photos of scenery instead of tourists. Here are the top 5 reasons you should consider the “off-season” as prime hiking time. 1. Fewer Crowds Fewer people on the trails mean you can hike at your own pace. There is less chance of stepping on the heels of a hiker in front of you or […]
Remember this helpful tip if you are ever lost during the dark when the moon is visible in the sky: mentally draw a line that connects the endpoints of the crescent moon and then extend this line to the horizon. This point where it touches the horizon indicates South.
Peak performance on the trail requires food that nourishes and strengthens you. Some tips on how to find it.
Suppose you’re gearing up for a spontaneous backpacking adventure, but your pantry is empty of trail meals. Or maybe you’re watching your wallet and need quick, affordable options you can grab at your neighborhood grocery or corner store. You might be surprised to know there’s more options besides Knorr pre-seasoned pasta and rice meals, ramen noodles, and meal bars. Checklist of Everyday Grocery Items Suitable for Backpacking For a hot meal, the general rule is to look for instant items with a cooking time of 10 minutes or less. Non-instant food requires prolonged simmering and will quickly deplete your stove […]
Your hiking companion won’t hike in the bitter cold, so you compromise by taking the winters off. When spring arrives, you are eager to hit the trails. You head away from home at every opportunity. Life is good. But now summer has arrived and it’s blazing HOT! If there is Heat, the diagnosis is Sweat Moisture will seep out from your skin and your clothing will feel damp and clingy against your skin. You’ll wish for clouds to capture the intense radiant heat blazing down from that luminous yellow disk in the afternoon sky. The sweat on your forehead will drip past your eyebrows and burn your eyes. Dried sweat […]