How to Hike
One of the things I love about hiking is that there's always something new to learn. There are advanced hiking skills, navigation skills, wildlife spotting, geology, etc. Every skill I know makes my hikes more fun and deepens my connection with nature. These guides are here to help you bring another level of appreciation and connection to your hikes.
All Guides
Garmin inReach SOS: Costs & How to Use It
Garmin inReach SOS is a feature you hope you'll never need, but if you do press that button, what really happens next? In this guide,...
Hiking Permits Booking Hack
Are you tired of missing out on those bucket list hikes due to a competitive permit system? Well, I've got a trick that will increase...
How to Find Public and Park Land Boundaries for Free
There are a lot of data sources for public land and park boundaries, but not many easy ways to access and work with them. In...
How to Check If There Is Snow On the Trail
Even if you know it's snowed, it's often hard to pinpoint whether snow will be on the specific areas of the trail you're hiking on....
Backpacking For Beginners: Hiker → Backpacker
Backpacking for beginners doesn't have to be as intimidating as it is. Unfortunately, the massive amount of information online, coupled with pundits' strong opinions, can...
Hydration Pack / Water Bladder Tips & Tricks
In this quick video I'll share some tips and tricks on how to use your hydration pack / water bladder, including tips on finding the...
How Does GPS Work? GPS for Dummies
Almost everyone understands that GPS uses satellites to pinpoint our position on earth. Whether you have a GPS unit or use a smartphone with GPS,...
Easy Bear Safety For Hikers and Campers
It's a special moment when you get to witness a bear in the wild, but at the same time, it can also send your heart...
How To Read a Topographic Map
I know that topographic maps and non-digital navigation can be intimidating, especially for those who never used them. In this guide, I'm going to focus...
How to Fix Loose Backpack Straps
There's nothing worse than having loose backpack straps flopping around. They can snag onto branches, they can get annoying when they constantly swing or tap...
Is There a Wildfire On My Hike? Wildfire Tips for Hikers
As a hiker, dealing with wildfires is more and more of a reality these days. As with most things hiking, being prepared and informed goes...
How to Create and Download Garmin Custom Maps
If you have a Garmin GPS unit, you can create and download custom maps onto your unit. Today, using CalTopo, creating custom maps is dead easy....
What is a GPX File?
A GPX file, also known as a GPS Exchange Format file, is simply a text file with geographic information such as waypoints, tracks, and routes...
NOLS Wilderness First Aid Class Review
Taking the NOLS wilderness first aid class is one of the best investments you can make. It'll take a weekend of your time, and in...
Understanding Mountain Lions When Hiking
One of my most asked questions is 'do I have to worry about mountain lions when I hike?' The answer is no and yes. 99.99999%...
Do I Need Trekking Poles?
Trekking poles are standard equipment for many experienced hikers - but do you really need them? The answer is maybe—there are a few conditions that...
Hiking For Beginners: 11 Essential Tips
Hiking for beginners can be intimidating, but there's really not much to it. You don't need any special skills to hike; you just have to...
Creating a Hike For Garmin GPS
Creating a hike and sending it to your Garmin GPS is easy when you pay Garmin for their maps, but not as obvious when you...
Hiking With Plantar Fasciitis: A Cure
Hiking Boots or Shoes: Do I Really Need Hiking Boots?
The great dilemma – do you really need hiking boots? Or can you use hiking shoes? Or do you even need hiking shoes? This guide...