Partaking in outdoor recreation means, inevitably, that you will soon stumble across the difference between hiking and trekking. And maybe you’ve even asked yourself: Am I on a hike or a trek? Or for that matter, am I mountaineering or backpacking ? Do these labels really matter? Maybe not. Sure, you don’t need to know if […]
BY KELLY DUNNING For me, backpacking and dogs go together like wool socks and hiking boots: It just makes sense to put ‘em together. A dog makes an ideal hiking partner because they’re curious, full of energy and happy to follow you anywhere you want to go. And they love all the extra exercise they’re […]
Boxing isn’t often the sport of choice for outdoor enthusiasts. You’re stuck in a crowded gym sucking in sweat-tainted air while listening to folks pound away at heavy bags. Not exactly pristine scenery. But there a few benefits of adding the Sweet Science to your hiking training routine. I used to dabble in boxing a […]
Drink lots of water. Wear a hat. Rest in the shade. You know to do this basic stuff when hiking in the piercing heat, right? I sure hope so, ‘cause I’m not gonna waste your time by going over it. Instead, this article will serve up a quartet of heat-beating trekking tips many hikers don’t […]
The most dangerous kind of people are the ones who don’t know they’re stupid. And unfortunately, some of these people go hiking. So what ends up happening? They wander deep into the boonies, hurt themselves (and others) and then need to be rescued. If you’re reading this, chances are you’re not one of these people. […]
Maybe you’re the type who likes to keep a detailed log of every lunge, squat and crunch you do each week. Perhaps you’re all about setting dozens of goals and tweaking your routine like a fine piece of machinery. If so, I admire you. But I just can’t work out that way. For me, hiking […]
“Melting snow, the ultimate barefoot pleasure.” That’s the title of one chapter in Richard Frazine’s 1993 book ‘The Barefoot Hiker.’ My toes go a little numb just thinking about it. But folks like Franzine, 65, are adamant that hitting the trail sans boots is the most intense way to experience the outdoors. It’s all about […]
It happens to the best of us: Your legs go rubbery, your breathing speeds up and your feet feel as if they’re encased in cement. You’ve hit the wall, my friend. And now, you’ve got two choices: give up like a chump and abandon your hike or somehow find that extra little burst of energy […]
Your hike doesn’t have to go sour when grey skies turn black. Not if you’re prepared. A lot of fair-weather trekkers won’t even give the rain a chance. When the heavens open up, they instantly jump on the phone to nix travel plans or back out of wilderness trips that have been in the works […]
I hate being last. Or even second last. In fact, I need to get first place in just about everything I do. Of course, it doesn’t always work out that way. This is especially true when I’m hiking along a brutal trail with folks built like race horses. I trained my ass off for three […]
