Climbing & Hiking

Altitude can be an issue when visiting northern New Mexico. This hike easy hike will help you acclimate. It is also a great hike for those on a tight schedule.

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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.

It's not often that we have a long weekend open. Due to the cancellation of my 30-year class reunion that 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!

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

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

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.

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.

How the device works, and stories of how the technology has been used and misused in the backcountry

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

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.

Read about a Christmas that can be 'white' but has nothing to do with snow!

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

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

For those who walk long distances, footwear is of the utmost importance. Over the past two years I have walked many, many miles and I would like to share what I have learned regarding footwear and mileage vs. cost.

Jackson Falls is just off of the Natchez Trace Parkway which is a drive through beautiful country. Stillhouse Hollow Falls is a 25.5-mile drive from Jackson Falls and is near Mount Pleasant, Tennessee.

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

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.

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

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

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...

Mount St. Helens is a beautiful and challenging hike. Here are 5 things you should know before you plan your trip.

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.

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

Pink Beds Loop Trail is a five mile easy trail through the Pisgah National Forest in North Carolina. This trail was named by the early settlers due to the abundant blooms of local flowers.

Golden Gate Canyon State Park is just 30 minutes from Denver, and a good place to see fall colors. A thorough review of Beaver Trail, a 2.8-mile loop that winds through golden aspen groves.

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

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.

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

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

If you've been looking for a unique place to hike around Los Angeles, the Devil's Punchbowl may be it. This canyon is filled with interesting formations carved out by earthquakes and water erosion. It's one of my favorite places to hike.

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

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

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.

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 and what you must see.

5 things you want to bring with you on a hike that you won't find on a hiking essentials list.

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.

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.

There are plenty of re-usable water bottles on the market today. But are they any safer than drinking out of a plastic one containing BPA left in the sun?

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

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.

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!

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.

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

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.

A dayhike to the O'Leary Lookout.

Technical rescue training with my Search & Rescue team.

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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

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

Considerations and opinions about going solo in the backcountry -- what do you think?

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.

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.

Pelican Island NWR was established in 1903 as the very first protected area of the National Wildlife Refuge System. Over 100 years later there are over 560 Wildlife Refuge areas for visitors to enjoy.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

Spelunking in the California foothills. Information and directions.

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.

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.

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.

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

Visiting the Forest Of Dean should be a wonderful experience, I want to give insight into my favourite things and places there also to share with people who are new to the area - the many wonders that can be found and enjoyed whilst visiting this magical place.

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

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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

If you get a change, take a walk through the neighborhood where you grew up. I discuss here how it can awaken lost feelings from childhood and bring back memories.

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

Xia Boyu made four previous attempts to climb Mount Everest. He succeeded on his fifth attempt at the age of 69. Boyu was a double amputee.

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

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

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.

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.

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

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.