Climbing & Hiking

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

Max Patch is a beautiful place to visit and hike in Western North Carolina. There are a number of options for hiking. You can also just climb to the summit - about 1/2 mile - and enjoy the 360-degree views.

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

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.

The annual gathering of Appalachian trail hikers, from those who dayhike to those who hike the A.T. from end to end.

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

Adventure to one of Southern Utah's most untouched hideouts- Coyote Gulch, the hidden gem of Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. I'll explain the fastest way to get there & what you must see.

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

This is very different from walking through a spacious cavern. It literally involves crawling on hands and knees through underground tunnels. I once had this experience and I'll describe it. It's called Spelunking.

Everest claims 1 in 4 lives a year as climbers seek to summit the highest mountain on Earth.

If you have the opportunity to go back where you grew up, taking a walk through your old neighborhood might revive hidden subconscious thoughts. This exercise can help you learn something from lost childhood memories.

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.

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.

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

A selection of photos from my own hikes in the Grand Canyon and suggested photographic books from this natural wonder of the world.

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.

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.

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

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 dayhike to the O'Leary Lookout.

A comprehensive guide to the Polish trails in the Tatra Mountains for beginners.

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.

From south to north—or north to south—in one day, one week, or more.

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.

So you want to go night hiking? Taking a hike in the darkness is more complicated than just grabbing a flashlight and heading down the trail. Use these trail-tested techniques for a safe night hiking experience.

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.

Hiking the Grand Canyon with kids. Absolutely! Follow our adventure on The Bright Angel Trail, a great place for first-time canyon hikers.

This is my journal from my 5-day backpacking (and bushwhacking) trip on northern Minnesota's seldom-used, 41-mile Kekekabic Trail. This was the first part of a longer backpacking trip.

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

A trip report from the hike up to the summit of Looking Glass Rock in the Pisgah National Forest of North Carolina.

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.

Merriam Crater (aka Merriam Mountain) is one of the largest cinder cone hills of the San Francisco Volcanic Field surrounding Mt. Humphrey's. You can hike or drive to the top for incredible views of the San Francisco Peaks and Northern Arizona.

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

In the search for the perfect Search and Rescue 24-hour pack, Outbound Dan finds the Terra 35 from The North Face a durable and comfortable option.

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

Ben Nevis is the highest mountain in the UK. How to get there and climb to the summit. Includes a Ben Nevis map and practical tips.

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

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.

Potentially life-saving gear hikers and other backcountry users should carry—some of it in the "just in case" category—whenever they hit the trail.

Are you heading up to the Adirondack High Peaks to climb the popular Cascade and Porter mountains? Join Outbound Dan Human in his recent climb up the new Snow Princess Cascade slide.

The Angels Landing Trail in Zion National Park is one of the most challenging and popular hiking trails in the U.S . Here is some info that might benefit anyone attempting this spectacular climb.

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

A 9-mile out-and-back wilderness hike on the Kachina Trail in the Kachina Peaks Wilderness, Coconino National Forest, near Flagstaff.

The 2,100 mile Appalachian Trail from Maine to Georgia attracts millions of hikers each year. Additionally about 500 people each year successfully backpack the entire length of the trail. This article explores the history and culture of hiking the Appalachian Trail.

This journal entry is from my first climb up the Humphrey's Trail to the summit of Arizona's highest peak at 12,633 feet. I've done this hike too many times to count since then, in all sorts of conditions. This is not a 9-mile hike to take lightly, given the altitude and potential weather conditions

Things to think about before venturing into the backcountry, brought to you by a Search and Rescue volunteer who sees a lot of people who made one or more of these mistakes.

Are you interested in learning how to get into ultralight backpacking? This article will help you to adhere to the 10 pound base weight limit by outlining gear options.

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

Seven scenic easy to moderate hikes in and around Sedona, Arizona with breathtaking views.

Western Washington is filled with lush beautiful scenery. Whether you're new to the area, just breaking into the hiking scene, or a veteran hiker, this list of hikes won't disappoint.

Enjoy great hiking and wide open spaces just minutes from the hustle and bustle of Los Angeles. Discover Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area.

A pictorial guide of one of my favorite (long) dayhikes from -- and back to -- the South Rim of Grand Canyon

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.

In what began as a simple solo snowshoeing trip in the Adirondack backcountry, a momentary lack of safety protocol pits a backpacker against potential death. Only a knife can change his fate.

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.

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.

Has a skunk tried mating with your stinky sandals? If so, it is time to clean them. Follow these steps to remove the funky smell from your favorite summertime footwear.

Although Phoenix is a huge city in the middle of the desert, it offers many hiking opportunities in its preserves. The perfect time to experience this environment is the winter.

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.

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

Signal Hill National Historic Site, in St. John's, has several excellent hiking trails. Rated from easy to difficult, they all offer panoramic views and breathtaking scenery.

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

Lava River Cave is just northwest of Flagstaff, AZ ,off Highway 180 in the Coconino National Forest. You can walk underground almost one mile in this lava tube that is 650,000 to 700,000 years old.

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.

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.

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.

Join Outbound Dan for a winter backpacking trip into the Adirondack High Peaks. Dan hikes up Cliff and Colden mountains and takes in the beauty of Avalanche Lake. Though a spell of unseasonably warm January weather makes for interesting challenges, it is those obstacles that make cold weather hiking so rewarding.

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.

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

A dozen beautiful hikes in San Diego County: desert, ocean, and everything in between.

How to climb Mount Toubkal, Morocco, without using a local guide service, including route details, required equipment, and important local specifics.

How do you get your caffeine fix while backpacking? This article explores several methods for making coffee while camping.

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

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

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.

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

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.

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.

Walking trails can be difficult, but also incredibly rewarding. Use these hiking tips to get to the top of every mountain...even if you aren't in the best physical shape!

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.

Enjoy a hike on a little used trail that is the closest you will come to hiking on an alien world

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.

Information about the Appalachian Mountains and the Appalachian Trail. Photos and videos are included!

A comprehensive guide to the Polish trails in the Tatra Mountains at intermediate level.

My trip report from a 17-mile loop hike including the Weatherford Trail in San Francisco Peaks near Flagstaff, AZ

A comprehensive guide to the Polish trails in the Tatra Mountains for absolute beginners.

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

Technical rescue training with Search & Rescue: mechanical advantage, pulley systems, and packaging the patient for a raise.

This is my journal from my 6-day end-to-end hike of the 70-mile Laurel Highlands Trail in southwestern Pennsylvania, years ago.

Begining at the Railway Coastal Museum in Downtown St. John's, NL, the Trans Canada Trail stretches more than 20,000km across Canada. From Mile Zero to Bowring Park covers the first 4km.

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

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

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

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

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.

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.

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.

The Sunset Trail climbs gradually to a ridge where you'll enjoy great views of Mt. Humphrey's (12,633 feet) before continuing on to Mount Elden's summit plateau.

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

Banff National Park is one of the most beautiful places on Earth, with hiking opportunities at all levels of difficulty. Here are a few family-friendly trails that we enjoyed.