Hiking & Backpacking

Even with the advent of GPS technology, many outdoor enthusiasts still carry a map and compass in addition to a GPS. However, carrying a map and compass is useless without the knowledge and...

Mapmaking skills are essential for navigating a foreign landscape or transversing difficult terrain. This indispensable skill can be learned through observing landscape features, usually from the...

Day hiking is a great outdoor activity that most people can partake in and enjoy with relative ease. And while day hiking may not sound to intense to some people, spending a day walking around can...

Hiking from Tuolumne Meadows to Yosemite Valley is an excellent way to see firsthand the awesome scenery that makes up Yosemite National Park. Another bonus of hiking this direction is its start...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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 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...

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...

Lost? not if you have a map, compass and protractor! find your position on a map if your lost using terrain features.

Do you have a compass and a map? If you do learn how to effectively use them to navigate through any terrain

If you're hiking or backpacking through snowy terrain, snowshoes are a must. Snowshoes distribute your weight across a broad surface area to allow you to walk on top of deep snow, rather than...

You cant under estimate the importance of fire. In all seasons and weather a fire can be used for signaling, purifying water, cooking, keeping insects at bay, making utensils and tools. So, once...

Now that you’ve decided on a type of hiking boot and are at the retailer, how do you decide whether or not the boot fits? Hiking boots are different that tennis shoes in their fit, and you may...

Geocaches can be of any size and can be hidden in locations from urban streets to vast wilderness areas. The beginner geocaching enthusiast may have trouble finding his or her first caches. This...

A compass may be any device that indicates the magnetic North Pole. It usually consists of a magnetized needle that points to magnetic north. The needle may be suspended in a liquid that allows...

There have been so many instances of people getting lost, hurt, or even killed during even relatively simple hikes let alone during more complex ones. Unless you're unlucky enough to be hit by a...

It's best to get a good quality backpack that will last all school year without falling apart. Teens especially can be hard on their backpacks. But good quality backpacks can be very expensive....

Hiking is a sport that is enjoyed by nature enthusiasts. Being outside and enjoying nature has its benefits however a tick bite can take the fun out of the sport. Here are some tips on how to...

Man has walked with sticks since the dawn of time. Everywhere man has walked, a stick has been there right by his side. We have leant on it for support, we have used it to battle wild animals, and...

Hiking has many advantages to offer a family. Hiking helps keep everyone in shape, see the wildlife, and natural beautiful landscape. Children will like to hikes to see the wild animals and...

If you are like me, climbing thousands or even hundreds of feet in elevation can become so painful that you want to give up and never try again. I will provide you some tips I’ve collected on how...

Training to climb a mountain is not just physical. It is mental too, involving attention to attitude and equipment. In this article I will detail the process of training to climb a mountain. From...

Virginia is a hiker's paradise, home to the Blue Ridge Mountains, Shenandoah National Park and 1/4 of the Appalachian Trail, as well as the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests....

Internal frame backpacks became popular in the early 1980s, replacing the bulky external frame packs of the '70s. External frame packs are useful in trail hiking on flatter surfaces, but in steep...

After a number of camping trips, there's a good chance your Marmot sleeping bag may be covered with dirt and debris. Given the materials it is made of, the bag should not be dry cleaned. No...

The Alaskan wild is one of the most dangerous environments in North America. Finding food and shelter while braving the cold weather, harsh terrain, wildlife and irregular hours of sunlight can be...

Jon-E Hand Warmers were first made over 50 years ago and became very common items for hunters and fishermen to use to keep their hands or even their bodies warm on frigid mornings. They are...

Poison ivy and poison oak are plants that contain a substance known as urushiol. Some 85 percent of the individuals who come into contact with this plant oil can develop an itchy rash. Poison oak...

Backpacking with kids can be a great family adventure, but it requires carrying more gear, walking at a slower pace and taking shorter hikes. Find out how to plan a successful family-friendly...

Foods that are ideal for backpacking are hearty breads, peanut butter, instant oatmeal, packaged tuna, dry soup mixes, rice, pasta and beans. Pack light-weight, easy-to-prepare food on the trail...

When choosing a tent for backpacking, consider the possible weather conditions, the climate, how many people it sleeps and the weight of it. Find the lightest-weight tent suitable for your needs...

While camping, food safety precautions include using antibacterial gels on the hands frequently, purifying all water, by boiling, filtering or chlorinating it, and tying up food and garbage 15...

To prevent forest fires, completely extinguish any cigarette butts, avoid shooting fireworks in the woods, park cars away from dry brush, surround a campfire with large rocks and completely...

Homemade fire starters for a campfire can be cotton balls soaked in petroleum jelly, which can be stored in film canisters, or scraps of old pack straps soaked in wax, which can be stored simply...

Choosing backpacking supplies is dependent upon the frequency of hikes, the terrain and climate, and budget. Find great backpacking supplies online, at outlet stores or from friends with helpful...

Adjusting a hiking backpack is important for the proper fit and distribution of the weight. Learn how to properly fit a pack to avoid discomfort and back injury with helpful information from a...

Cooking breakfast while camping can be done by boiling water over a campfire, pouring it over oatmeal and pouring some over coffee grounds through a filter. Heat up a nutritious breakfast,...

A hiking backpack should fit according to the size of the pack and the size of the person, as each strap should fit snugly across the appropriate parts of the body. Find a pack that straps across...

Cleaning a tent is best done when it is set up and open by shaking it out, wiping it down with soapy water and hosing it off completely. Allow the open tent to dry thoroughly before packing it...

Making snowshoes is something of a lost art, but in deep snow a pair of reliable snowshoes can make the difference between hiking out of a blizzard and winding up a people-sickle buried to your...

Storm King Mountain lies in the heart of the beautiful Hudson Valley in New York State. It is located in Cornwall-on-Hudson, just north of the United States Military Academy at West Point, New...

People who frequent the outdoors will often have encounters with ticks such as the wood tick. These creatures are parasites and live off the blood of another living thing. Wood ticks are capable...

Hiking trqails are great places to walk, look at scenery, take pictures and relax.Here is a way to find trails online

Contour maps, or topographic maps, are typically used to navigate in the back country. These maps indicate the location of geographic features such as lakes and rivers, and man-made features such...

Encounters with the largest forest predator, the grizzly bear, are uncommon but extremely dangerous. With barely a flick of its paw, a grizzly can easily maul you to death. So what do you do if...

Even a brief, mundane trip in the wilderness can necessitate the need for survival equipment. Packing the right wilderness survival gear is a move that will never do you wrong. Even if it doesn't...