Hiking & Backpacking

Building your own alcohol camp stove is an effective way to save money and cut down on the weight of gear for your next camping or backpacking trip. While there are many different approaches to...

The animals commonly referred to as seed ticks are the six-legged larval stage of ticks. Seed ticks are named for their extremely tiny size; most are no bigger than the period at the end of a...

Heading into the wilderness requires planning and consideration well beyond that of a simple car camping trip. When you are out in the woods and miles away from accessible roads, safety needs to...

Backpacking stoves are an essential item for any outdoor experience. They are easily portable, perfect for cooking in all weather conditions, and come in many shapes and sizes. If you have...

The Figure Nine tool made by Nite Ize is designed as a way to easily tighten and tension ropes without using knots. Though originally designed for hikers and backpackers, the Figure Nine can be...

Black Diamond has been making hiking poles and back country ski poles for years. They are considered a premium brand, built for performance, comfort, and durability. The tips are subject to the...

In traditional indigenous cultures, the distinction between a spear and a basic staff was one specific part: the point. Today's spears come in a variety of fashions, from the metal-tipped Chinese...

To convert steps to miles is easy. Whether you are counting miles in order to stick with a weight loss program, or you are a hiker looking to estimate mileage this process will do the job. Follow...

Making your own walking stick is a rewarding and fun project. Walking sticks can help you cover more terrain, get to places you thought weren't possible and also help give your arms a workout....

If you are planning a trip to hike at elevation, you must prepare beforehand to avoid possible dangerous effects. Without proper preparation, hiking at altitude can be miserable at best and...

Crossing a river can be both exhilarating and terrifying. This true backcountry experience seems simple in theory, but if you do it wrong you could get injured or die. The most critical element of...

Cougars are amazing creatures. They tend to be elusive, and to want to avoid humans. Usually they steal away when aware of your presence, and you never knew you were being observed by the...

Hiking poles, also known as trekking poles, make hiking long trails easier. Hiking poles help you balance better on steep downhill sections or on unstable terrain. And adjustable hiking poles ease...

A double or triple fisherman's bend comes in handy any time you need to join two pieces of cord together. It makes a snug, secure closure that's easier to untie than some other knots, though it...

Paracord, para cord or parachute cord--no matter what you call it, this strong, light and relatively thin material makes a good emergency supply in the wilderness. If you learn how to tie the...

Most people are familiar with the stereotypical mountain man, a rugged explorer who can MacGyver his way into building bear traps and elaborate fishing gear. These intrepid outdoorsmen make every...

There are many hikes in Alaska's Denali National Park. You can go on your own, with a friend, or on a ranger-led hike (going with a friend or a group is a safer option). The hikes led by rangers...

Plantar fasciitis is a painful swelling of the plantar fascia, a tissue which runs along the bottoms of the feet. People who exercise on their feet a great deal, particularly walkers, hikers and...

There is a misconception that watts represent brightness. Brightness is measured in lumens; watts represent the power consumed by the bulb. Watts and lumens are unrelated, which is why many bulbs...

Most compasses made by the Brunton company use magnetic induction damping instead of fluid to dampen the needle oscillation. Wither you are a Boy Scout or Girl Scout, a day hiker, backpacker,...

Backpacking can be enjoyable and rewarding. Packing light as possible will let you hike longer and possibly easier depending on your chosen trail and terrain. Your best bet for ultralight...

When hiking, the last thing you want is to deal with is that annoying heartburn. Heartburn is caused by acid in the stomach backing up into the esophagus. It's not only painful, but it can...

Hiking or trekking poles are an important piece of equipment for any hiker. These short sticks can be used to protect your knees, give power to uphill pushes and improve stability over rough...

Hiking poles are exceptionally easy pieces of gear to use, but like any tool, you should dedicate some time to learning their proper use. Just like different poles have different uses, each set...

It is becoming increasingly popular these days for outdoor enthusiasts to hike with walking poles. Walking poles are also referred to as trekking poles or Nordic poles.

These are instructions for making a fire-starter from a book of matches and a little tape. The fire-starter works by pulling all of the matches at once against the ignition strip, thus lighting...

Hiker's knee is a common symptom in hikers, and results in pain around and behind the kneecap. In older hikers, this condition is caused when the lower leg twists inward while walking on rough...

Denali National Park is home to North America's highest peak, Mount McKinley, and otherwise known as "Denali," meaning "the high one" in native Athapaskan. Adventurers and outdoor enthusiasts...

Whether you have a pair of high-tech snowshoes with plastic bindings or handmade snowshoes with less sophisticated bindings, creating a snowshoe binding from household materials is both...

Snowshoes are the perfect footwear for exploring the scenic outdoors in the perfect white of winter. If they fit improperly, however, snowshoes may not do their jobs the way they should, which can...

JanSport, a backpack company, as of November 2009 no longer manufactures, distributes, or sells backpacking tents. However, the company has made several varieties of tents in the past, including...

Hydration packs, also known as water packs, revolutionized outdoor enthusiasts' drinking habits when they first arrived on the scene. No more stopping to reach for that water bottle; suddenly you...

The Gila River Indian Community is located in Arizona, in northern Pinal County and southern Maricopa County on the southern fringe of the Phoenix metropolitan area. Although there is some access...

When you are hiking or camping, a fire for warmth or cooking is a necessity and the tools to start a fire are readily available if you know what to look for. Fortunately nature provides the best...

Military surplus items can be purchased very cheaply if you know where to look. Items that are available range from furniture to scrap metal to tools and vehicles. Patience, diligence, and...

So you bought a bandana for hiking - or perhaps you are thinking of buying one, as you received a recommendation to get one - but you don't yet know how to wear it. Read on to find out!

Mount McKinley, located in the state of Alaska with a summit at 20,320 feet above sea level, is the highest peak in North America. Mount McKinley is also known as Denali, which means "The Great...

The Hollywood sign is located in northeast Los Angeles and sits on top of a mountain overlooking the entire city. Right at 1,675 feet in elevation, the sign stands 50 feet high and 450 feet in...

Hiking is wonderful. You get great exercise, you get to see the world, and you get in touch with nature. If you're looking for the perfect hike, hopefully this will help you find what you're...

Hiking in the desert adds an extra challenge because of temperature variations. In Arizona, for example, fall temperatures of 100 degrees are not uncommon. But as soon as the sun goes down,...

ALICE is an acronym for the U.S. Military's All-Purpose Lightweight Individual Carrying Equipment issued to soldiers and Marines in the field today. This backpacking system was developed in the...

Teton Valley, Idaho is a hidden gem of the northwestern United States. Nestled under the shadows of the Teton Mountain Range and surrounded by rivers, hiking trails and camping opportunities,...

Your leather boots are a big investment. Learn how to make them last with these cleaning tips.

When you are on a backpacking or camping trip, chances are you will not be able to carry all the water you need. You must keep yourself hydrated, though, and no matter how clear and clean a stream...

Popcorn weed (Cornus canadensis L.) also goes by the name crackerberry, dwarf cornel, kinnikinick and bunchberry. The name popcorn weed comes from the white leaves surrounding the flowers,...

If you enjoy hiking, a GPS device can be an ideal tool to have with you. In addition to it being able to tell you your location, a GPS unit can also be used to store routes so that you can create...

Walking sticks are becoming increasingly popular among avid walkers, but they are not one-size-fits-all. Walking sticks need to be the appropriate height and material for their advantages to come...

If you have been cooped up for what seems like an eternity and crave fresh air during those late winter months, searching for shed deer antlers (called sheds) might be just the thing to get you...

Many people think of Arizona only as a desert. While it's true that a lot of the state is hot, there's a large part that actually has trees, mountains, and green areas! Arizona's highest peak,...

Walking sticks aid walkers and hikers in numerous ways. They are very easy to use and can help prevent injuries. They are also referred to as hiking sticks or trekking poles.