What to pack for a winter hike? How will my packing list vary by my objective? In this blog I cover my usual list of items that I find in my bag and how to pack for a winter hike vs a hike during other times of the year. Keep in mind that what I will talk about is not necessary for EVERY winter hike and your final list will vary based on the weather, where you are hiking and the objective. This list below will not include things you should always pack like first aid kit, food and water etc.  On one of the more narrow parts of Mt Bancroft’s East Ridge. What to Pack for Winter Hike: Clothin ..read more

What are the best hikes near Denver? This is a question that I am asked on a weekly basis through my website, Instagram and YouTube channel. In this post, I am going to dive into my version of the best hikes near Denver list. You will notice that all of them are not actually in Denver and that is because Denver is a major city. Can you find spots to “hike” in the city? Sure – but in my opinion, you need to get out of the city and its suburbs to really find quality hiking.  A quick list of rules for this list: all of these hikes have to be within a 30 mile radius of Denver and for the most ..read more

Unsplash – CC0 License Montana is roughly the size of France but almost completely empty. Only a million people live in the entire state, according to the most recent count, making it a popular destination for people who crave solitude and adventure.  Even though there might not be many people in the state, it’s still a wonderful destination for adventure. Montana has more than its fair share of hidden gems – places off the beaten track that only a few lucky souls know about. Well, until now, that is.  The purpose of this post is to take a look at some of the top places to visit in ..read more

Mountaineering is a genuinely fascinating sport. While it might not be particularly popular across most of the United States, it is certainly an essential outlet for the people who do it in the mountainous regions of our country. People want to experience the rawness and challenges of life in all their glory, achieving things that perhaps only a tiny fraction of individuals ever accomplish with endless options of new challenges to strive for.  People often discuss the risks of mountaineering, but they ignore the benefits which is a problem in my opinion. I discuss why it is such a great ..read more

Are you preparing for your next hiking trip? If so, then you need to make sure that you are ready for some of the unexpected turbulence that you might encounter that could throw off your travel plans. Here are some of the key examples that you should keep in mind.  Pexels Source CCO License Rainy Days It doesn’t matter which tropical paradise you may be visiting, you still need to make sure that you are preparing for those rainy days as some hikes become inaccessible or dangerous if the weather changes. If traveling in the United States, I always recommend resources like weather.gov to ..read more

Drones have become increasingly more popular among outdoor recreationalists, especially with hikers and backpackers. Drones have countless uses in the backcountry including search and rescue, mapping out difficult to reach areas, tracking animals, educating outdoor recreationalists and of course creating some pretty unique photos and videos. Chances are, if you ask one of your hiking buddies about their feelings towards drones, they will have a pretty strong feeling. Countless times, I have heard hikers say “they are too loud,” “they should be banned everywhere,” or “the buzzing sound will sca ..read more