Climbing & Hiking

Information, advice, and moral support for new or aspiring climbers, based on personal experience.

This is a 14-mile, end-to-end hike (and wade and swim and bushwhack) of the West Fork canyon between Flagstaff and Sedona, Arizona, requiring a vehicle shuttle. Allow at least 12 hours to do this as a day-trip.

Information and photos of Lory State Park in Fort Collins, Colorado. A recreation area located between the Front Range mountains and Horsetooth Reservoir.

Indoor rock climbing holds come in all shapes and sizes. Learning climbing hold names and types is essential to improving your climbing.

Red River Gorge, in east-central Kentucky, boasts spectacular rock features; particularly arches, and can be enjoyed year-round for hiking, camping, and canoeing. We personally enjoy overnight backpacking treks and love climbing to the top of the famous "Cloud Splitter". Keep reading to learn more!

Tips and techniques for using hiking poles, and recommended brands and models, from a hiker who's used them for thousands of miles.

Outbound Dan Human recounts his more than two thousand-mile backpacking trip along the Appalachian Trail. Memories of the southbound thru hike are shared through a collection of pictures.

This tutorial demonstrates how to easily install topographical maps on a Garmin GPSmap 62 series global positioning system.

A summary of the hike of Tabletop and Phelps in the Adirondack Mountain range of New York.

Description and photos of the hike to Bierstadt Lake in Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado.

A 24-hour pack for Search and Rescue personnel (and anyone else who wants to be prepared for twenty-four hours in the backcountry).

Don't be caught unprepared. Here's recommended day-hiking gear from a Search and Rescue volunteer.

The trip report from our hike to Mount Marshall on Saturday June 22, 2019 via Avalanche Lake. Marshall is the twenty-fifth highest peak in the Adirondack Park with a height of 4,360 feet.

Making our way through "The Jug," a slot canyon along Salome Creek: a trip report

How to navigate with a map and compass, with an overview of types of maps, compass parts, declination, intersection and resection.

Take your toddler on the trail and avoid temper tantrums with these hiking tips.

From local day hikes to extended backpacking trips, everyone should carry the Ten Essentials while outdoors.

GPS units are essential to successful Search and Rescue teams. This step-by-step guide illustrates the most common SAR GPS tasks. Directions work well for a Garmin Map 60 and other units.

Trail information, directions, and photos of the Kruger Rock hike near Estes Park, Colorado.

Recommended gear for preparedness on the trail, from a member of a Search & Rescue team, who sees a lot of people who could have avoided (or at least alleviated) problems with proper equipment

Even though hiking is a rewarding activity, it has its potential risks too. A slippery rock can turn a simple day hike into a complex rescue mission. Outbound Dan offers 10 tips to hikers on how to stay safe in the outdoors.

Situated near Clochan, in Kerry, Ireland, the Lough Adoon valley at Ballyhoneen contains rock art, wedge tombs, ancient settlements, & monuments from the Bronze Age to Early Christian times.

A trip report from our day hike to the Great Range in the Adirondacks. The Great Range is made up of many mountains with great views, right in the heart of the Adirondack Park. Our trip included Lower Wolfjaw, Upper Wolfjaw, Armstrong, Gothics, Pyramid, and Sawteeth.

A well made knife can be a great hiking companion. Outbound Dan reviews several knives from multi-tools to neck knives for backpacking.

It might surprise you to learn that the largest number of hiking-related fatalities are ascribed to the fittest. It might also surprise you to know why.

As a Search & Rescue volunteer myself since 2007, I've put together this page to give you an idea of what "SAR" is all about and how you can get involved with a team in your area.

Part 2 of a four-part series on how to navigate with a handheld GPS

A trip report from the hike on Allen Mountain in the Adirondack Mountains of upstate New York. Allen is the 26th highest Adirondack peak with an elevation of 4,340 feet.

Insider tips on where to hike for a short day trip and a longer over-nighter, Park trail vs. Forest trail comparison, details on park and pack campsites, and another reason to visit Central Ohio!

A full trip report from our hike to the summits of Seward, Donaldson and Emmons in the Adirondack Park of upper New York on July 3, 2019. The three mountains are part of the Adirondack Forty-Six Hiking Challenge.

If you have the opportunity, take a walk through your old neighborhood where you grew up. It can awaken lost feelings and bring back childhood memories.

Hiking boots that help foot and heel pain can set you free to explore nature without pain. Here are 5 of the best pairs of hiking boots for sensitive feet.

Hike further and faster by adopting lightweight backpacking. These are my top tips for carrying a lighter pack.

Looking for a jacket to push to the limits of outdoor adventure? Check out this review of the Victorio jacket from Mountain Hardwear. In this review, I test the durability, breathability, and waterproofness of this new Dry.Q Elite jacket.

Take a virtual tour of this geological, scenic gem, along with information, safety tips, and directions for making the trip yourself to this remote location.

Why cotton kills ,and why you shouldn't wear it for backpacking or hiking clothing.

Over three days, I backpacked over Sawteeth, Gothics, Saddleback, Basin, Gray, and Dix Mountains. I had a slight fall, a bad weather bivy, an unplanned ceremony, and a meeting with a bear.

The 17,371 acres Dolly Sods Wilderness in the Monongahela National Forest is a must-do for any hiking or backpacking enthusiast. You'll love the varying terrain and abundant foliage this forest has to offer.

Peppersauce Cave in southern Arizona is relatively well known but not a tourist attraction. It's in a wilderness area on the north side of Mt. Lemon in the Santa Catalina mountains north of Tucson.

This was a 48-mile hike along the Appalachian Trail in Tennessee. This section of the trail offers beautiful mountain views, streams, and waterfalls. There are several mountains to climb. I am 66 years old, and this hike from May 31st to June 4th was difficult for me. It was also great fun.

A trail report and guide to climbing the tallest peak in the Rocky Mountains.

Eight plants found along the Appalachian Trail which will cause contact poisoning or dermatitis.

A look inside all Antelope Canyon has to offer, from guided tours of the canyon to kayaking on Lake Powell and camping on Antelope Island.

How to use and read a compass; a valuable outdoor skill for fun and survival. An introduction to the device and its basic use.

Utah is a great place to visit with everything from the "greatest snow on earth" to unique and beautiful geological sites. This list is a convenient starting place for your next adventure.

A trip report from our hike on the Santanoni Range of the Adirondack Mountains of Upstate, N.Y. The range includes Santanoni, Couchsachraga, and Panther Mountains.

Information and safety tips for hiking into the canyon during the hottest months of the year

At 18, I decided to hike as much of the awe-inspiring 870 miles of the Wales Coast Path in the short time I had at my disposal. After over 500 miles and £1,400 raised for charity, there was much I learned. Here's a guide of things to remember when planning your trip around the Wales Coast Path!

Part 1 of a four-part series on how to use a handheld GPS unit.

Bright Angel Trail, a corridor trail, is one of the most popular trails at the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. Despite Backpacker Magazine declaring it one of America's Most Dangerous Hikes, with water sources, some shade, rest areas, and a park ranger presence, it is the safest trail at the Grand Canyon. It is a frequent route to or from Phantom Ranch. We hiked to 3 Mile Resthouse and back to the South Rim; a 6 mile, 2110 foot adventure.

Are you looking to buy new hiking or backpacking boots? A footwear manager and backpacker guides you through the boot buying decision making process.

But you said to always hike with a small group didn't you? As solo hikers, we bear the scorn of the outdoor world. Outing clubs view us with disdain and park rangers scowl as we register as a "party of one." However responsible solo backpackers and hikers who manage their risk appropriately can have a safe and enlightening wilderness experience. This article offers encouragement, explanation, and skill sets for a safe solo hiking experience.

Ever have a pair of boots that leaked, blew out a seam, or fell apart after only a few months of use? Read more to see if the defective boots can be replaced per their warranty service.

A trip report from our hike up Seymour Mountain, one of the forty-six high peaks of the Adirondacks in New York. It ranks thirty-fourth on the list with a height of 4,120 feet.

Established in 1951, the Fannie Stebbins Memorial Wildlife Refuge provides hikers and bird enthusiasts with a chance to explore over 330 acres of pristine floodplain land along the Connecticut River.

As snow recedes and wildflowers bloom, the trail calls to hikers in spring time. Follow these five safety tips for safe hiking in spring.

Hiking in Western North Carolina near Asheville offers majestic views, fun adventures and historical significance. Paint Rock is about 1 hour and 15 minutes from Asheville near Hot Springs, NC.

A full trip report from our hike to Haystack, Basin and Saddleback Mountains in the Adirondack Park of Upstate, N.Y. at the end of July in 2019.

See geology at its best in the Paria Canyon-Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness in northern Arizona.

Information, tips, and suggested gear for section-hiking the CT based on our hike from Silverton to Durango, Colorado

Hiking Street Mountain and Nye Mountain in the Adirondack Mountain range of New York.

Join Outbound Dan Human on a short loop hike into the Niagara Falls Gorge from Devil's Hole State Park, down the Whirlpool Stairs and into the gorge past the iconic Giant Rock.

Kanab is situated in southern Utah, just north of the Arizona state line. This high desert town is nestled next to some beautiful red rock cliffs, which can easily be explored on foot.

Learn to follow footprints and other types of clues in all types of terrain.

How to navigate on land without the use of instruments or anything but a map and some common sense skills.

Due to the cancellation of my 30-year class reunion weekend, we made a last-minute decision to turn lemons to lemonade, fill our backpacks, and head out on our first Appalachian Trail section hike! It was an amazing 42-mile weekend!

A summary of our hike to the Dix Mountain Range in the Adirondacks. The Dix Range includes the high peaks of Macomb, South Dix (Carson), East Dix (Grace), Hough, and Dix.

Starved Rock State Park is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Illinois. The park is a wonderful place to enjoy the outdoors.

Learn how to craft walking sticks from natural wood. When and how to cut sticks for your canes and walking sticks, and how to process them.

The bounce box, or drift box, provides access to gear and supplies on your backpacking trip without actually having to carry it on your back the entire time.

The Vale of Glamorgan in South Wales is an idyllic, historic county and a fantastic place to walk. A mixture of tourist hotspots, quiet countryside and a beautiful 60km coastline, there is much to explore in this fascinating part of Wales.

Information about long-distance footpaths around the globe, grouped by continent. Have you hiked any of these trails or routes? Want to?

Want to explore a place with a mysterious past? Try taking a walking tour of Gungywamp in Groton, Connecticut.

If you're looking for the best running shoe for a big man, this article will provide insight and reviews of a few favorites. A bigger guy can still find a shoe that's comfortable and healthy.

Visit one of the strangest rock formations in the western hemisphere. Make the Bisti Badlands a must see during your next trip to New Mexico and have an otherworldly experience.

Newfoundland is a hiker's paradise with more than 200 hiking and walking trails of varying degrees of difficulty, covering thousands of kilometers of this beautiful island.

The East Coast Trail consists of 26 developed wilderness paths along 300km of coastline on the East Coast of Newfoundland, Canada. Bay Bulls to the lighthouse is the first 3.5km of the Spout Path.

Recommended hiking trails in and around the mountain town of Ouray

A trip report from our hike up Phelps Mountain in the Adirondack Park of Upstate, N.Y. Phelps is the thirty-second highest peak of the Adirondack forty-six high peaks with an elevation of 4,160 feet.

Geocaching (GEE-oh-cash-ing) is a great outdoors recreational activity that's similar to a scavenger hunt. There is a hidden object, and you're given clues and GPS (global positioning) coordinates to help you find it. It's incredibly fun, and...

Take a hike to the Eternal Flame Falls and see the wonder of a waterfall passing over a natural gas flame. Follow this trail map to find this treasure at Chestnut Ridge Park in New York.

Technical rescue training with my Search & Rescue team.

A summary of our hike up Mount Colden in the Adirondack Mountains. This hike was our fourth high peak of the forty-six that qualify.

The Linville Gorge area in North Carolina is a rugged wilderness area on the Blue Ridge Parkway, near Grandfather Mountain.

A beautiful coastline, ancient woodlands and over 2,000 years of history can all be discovered on this fascinating 4.5mile trail in Vale of Glamorgan, the southernmost county of Cymru.

In this article, I review the Keen Gypsum hiking boot. This tough new waterproof hiker conquers the trails while cushioning your feet. From backpacking to rugged hiking, I field tested the Gypsum for several months before writing this review.

Technical rescue training with my teammates from Coconino County Sheriff's Search and Rescue team.

Backpacking off Grand Canyon's beaten paths: My favorite rim-to-river hike on the South Rim

Gulf Hagas, the Grand Canyon of Maine, very remote and only about 4 miles long and 100 feet deep, is filled with breathtaking vistas, waterfalls, pools, and sheer rock walls.

Seeking a way to get out and enjoy the outdoors while maintaining COVID-19 Social Distancing my wife and I drove to the nearby San Pedro River to hike. While hiking we found caterpillars raining down from trees. The result was a great photo opportunity & chance to learn about tent caterpillars.

From Giardia and Crypto to Hepatitis A and E. coli, there are some nasty little critters lurking in your drinking water. Be prepared in an emergency too, by having the skills to purify water.

What is a trail register? It is more than a ledger tracking the comings and goings of backcountry users. It is a chronicle of adventure, detailing the impressions of time well spent in nature.

Outbound Dan demonstrates how to easily make an inexpensive do-it-yourself climbing gear sling in about 30 minutes. The perfect sling for climbing, mountaineering, and search and rescue is only a few stitches away.

A trip report from our day trip to Cliff and Redfield Mountains in the Adirondack Park of Upstate, N.Y. In the Adirondack 46 High Peaks, Cliff is the 44th highest peak at 3,960 feet and Redfield is 15th at 4,606 feet.

This article offers a practical guide giving you useful tips and information for tackling Norway's 3 most epic hikes in only 5 days. This article provides you with all you need to plan your hiking trip to Trolltunga, Pulpit Rock and hike to Kjeragbolten in one week.

Learn how to make a blackthorn walking stick: how to choose, cut and cure wood from the Prunus spinosa bush.

Mount Sinai Egypt, also known by some as Moses Mountain, is an awe-inspiring place, rich in history and religious significance. Read on to experience my climb up this majestic mountain.

A trip report from our hike to the summits of Mount Marcy, Mount Skylight and Gray Mountain on July 18, 2019. Marcy is the highest mountain in New York while Skylight is fourth and Gray stands at seventh. All three are part of the Adirondack 46 Hiking Challenge.

What is the best backpacking stove for your next wilderness adventure? This article covers the advantages and disadvantages of the most popular types of camping stoves.

If you want a clean, well-maintained, quiet place to camp with your tent or RV, Iron Ridge Campground is your place. If you want well-cleared, moderately tough trails to hike/run, the Lakeshore Trail that starts from the campground is the perfect complement to a relaxing, yet adventurous getaway.