Climbing & Hiking

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

The best thing you can do to get better at rock climbing is to climb more. A lot of newbies I've introduced to rock climbing often feel they need to build up more strength before they can start rock climbing in earnest, but this is a mistake. If...

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

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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?

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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!

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.

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

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

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

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.

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 compliment to a relaxing, yet adventurous getaway.

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.

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.

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

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

A trip report from a hike to the summit of St. Regis Mountain on June 15, 2019. St. Regis is part of the Saranac Lake 6'er Hiking Challenge and the mountain resides just to the north of the town of Saranac Lake, N.Y. in the Adirondack Park.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

Technical rescue training with my Search & Rescue team.

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

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.

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.

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.

Whether you are looking for a short hike, long adventure, bushwhacking hike, or have no idea where to start...here are some tips to finding and planning your perfect hike.

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.

Recommended hiking trails in and around the mountain town of Ouray

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.

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

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

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

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!

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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.

The highest peak in Wales attracts a lot of charity fund-raising schemes, and then, there’s the peculiar stuff.

Fear is a very strong emotion which can be paralyzing and really ruin your day. Many people believe that climbing and fear of heights are not compatible. But, I assure you this is not true. You can be afraid of heights and still be able to enjoy climbing without being a self-destructive masochist.

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

A trip report from my May 31, 2019 hike to the summit of Slide Mountain in the Catskill Mountains of New York State. Slide is the highest peak in the Catskill Park at 4,182 feet.

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.

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.

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.

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

A summary of the hike of Mt. Arab, Coney Mountain, and Goodman Mountain in the Adirondack Mountain range of New York. The three make up the Tupper Lake Triad.

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.

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

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.

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.

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 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.

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

With a wide variety of hiking opportunities, Southern California is a great place to experience the outdoors. Read on to discover the best, most challenging, and most underappreciated hikes in and around San Diego, CA.

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

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

Trails in the Polish Tatra Mountains. Only for the most experienced hikers!

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.

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.

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.