If you’ve ever been out camping or hiking on a mountain at night you know how unique and special of a feeling it is. A friend of mine was interested in planning a hike after dusk and was wondering if there are any legal ramifications against it. Is night hiking legal? For most states and locations, […]
If you’re ready for a new adventure, consider heading out to try the best winter hikes in Maine. Winter hiking is very different, but I promise the different scenery and less populated trails make it well worth it! Camden Hills State Park Camden Hills State Park is one of the best and largest networks of hikes in […]
There’s no better feeling than having a nice refreshing drink after completing a nice adventurous hike. Since hiking is a pretty lightweight activity, there’s a common problem of figuring out how to keep drinks cold without a fridge or cooler. After hiking for a couple of hours, when you take that first break it’s the perfect time to sit […]
One of the biggest worries people have about getting their wisdom teeth pulled is how long it takes to recover. Nobody wants to be out of commission for days at a time, especially if you have plans for later that week. This happened to me a few years ago when I had to have my […]
Backpacker wants to be your guide to the wilderness: Join Outside+ today and get access to all of our skills stories, gear reviews, hike reports, and much more. Day hiking is a marvelous way to experience nature; it’s approachable, a low time commitment, and easy to get into with little gear or experience. If you’re an avid […]
1. Get ready faster. The easy way? Don’t unpack. When you finish a weekend trip, leave all the stuff you use for nearly every adventure—stove, sleeping pad, first-aid kit, repair kit—together in your pack. Have an organized rack or bin for each sport: climbing, paddling, etc. That way, you can just add activity-specific items and clothes […]
Take clothing with seams, add body parts, a shoulder harness and hipbelt attached to a heavy pack, heat, humidity, and what do you have? The ideal recipe for chafing. This irritating red rash caused from rubbing can turn a pleasant hike into a miserable one. Chafing is simply damage to the skin caused by excessive […]
Strong legs make for a strong hiker and, let’s face it, a more fun time: It’s easier to focus on the scenery, the wildlife, and your hiking partners when you can think about anything other than how badly your legs are screaming. These six lower-body-focused workouts will help you go further, faster, and pain-free. Mix […]
It was the heart of summer in the Namibian desert. There had been no rain on Brandberg Mountain for more than two years, so we each carried three gallons—24 pounds—of water. This sloshing liquid, combined with a week’s worth of food and camping supplies, made our packs crushingly heavy. And still, this was only enough water for two […]
There’s plenty of information on how to have a safe and enjoyable hike. Phoenix has an in-depth “Take a Hike. Do It Right.” list of guidelines, a great resource for safe hiking. There’s also much to learn from hiking don’ts. These mistakes can cause serious harm, potentially even death. It’s good to know the biggest mistakes a hiker can make […]