Hiking & Backpacking

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.

You would not start a road trip on a nearly empty tank of gas, and hiking is no different. Our bodies need fuel and plenty of water to function at our best during a hiking trip. A short hike can...

Before going out on that overnight backpacking adventure it's very important to pack your backpack properly. Doing so, you will prevent yourself from having any uncomfortable back aches.

The Americans with Disabilities Act was passed in 1991 and set up guidelines for providing access to nature's wonders for those who until then were not able to. These are the basics for...

A mirror is an important piece of emergency hiking and backpacking gear that can save your life.

If you're planning a hiking trip that will last more than a few hours you should also plan for a way to safely replenish your water supply. While backcountry water purification methods now include...

With 4,800 feet in elevation gain and 14 to 16 miles of hiking in one day, the trek to Half Dome in Yosemite National Park poses a daunting challenge for some and a rewarding adventure for others....

Mink oil is a common sight in shoe stores and other places that sell leather boots. It is a useful part of caring for your boots, so it can be helpful to understand what mink oil is and what,...

Hiking is a fun but strenuous and physically challenging activity that can cause injuries such as plantar fasciitis.

Hiking in the wilderness, or even the local regional park, is a great way to clear your mind, renew your perspective, and get some good exercise. It’s even better when you take a few friends...

Every year hundreds, if not thousands, of people become lost in the wilderness, and many of them perish. Survival skills are an important part of the inventory of any woodsman or hiker, and...

Heavy or improperly carried backpack loads can cause neck, shoulder and back pain. Because backpacks are a common accessory these days, especially with students, here are few steps to help...

Centuries ago, Marshall Islanders from the Pacific built maps from sticks and shells. The sticks were woven into grids as "ocean currents", with shells attached to represent islands....

Being prepared for a hike is easy once you have plenty of experience. However, for less seasoned hikers, knowing what to pack might not be second nature. Forgetting one item can mean the...

A basic survival kit does not need to be heavy or complicated. Concentrate on small but essential tools and equipment that's easy to carry and convenient to wear. Supplies that fit in a pocket or...

When you are heading out on a hike, you must plan to eat along the way. This will give you energy to keep going and enjoy the hike. Picking the food for a hiking trip is an important task. You...

There are several types of tents in the world of outdoor camping and hiking. From the classic A-frame tents to the large cabin tents, there are all sorts of tents that will best suit anyone's...

The footwear you use on the trail can make the difference between a painful trek and an enjoyable hike. Choosing the best backpacking boots can seem like a daunting task, given all of the options...

Choosing a knife for outdoor activities is intrinsically tied to how the knife will be used. There are, however, some simple guidelines to follow when it comes to choosing and purchasing a new blade.

When trekking cross country in either urban parks or wilderness areas, a must-have article of equipment is a stout, reliable hiking stick. Over the years, having a stick in hand has enabled the...

The wolverine (Gulo gulo) is one of North America's most elusive mammals. Though it is the largest land member of the weasel family, wolverines look more like small bears. They have been called...