We pack our fears.
That’s a quote that I’ve heard ultralight backpackers say time and time again, and it sure was my experience when I started backpacking in early 2012.
On my first overnight backpacking trip, I carried a pack that weighed more than 55 lbs, including a 10 lb survival kit t…
Whether you’re just out for a leisurely day hike, or fending off charging Grizzlies on a 4,700 mile solo expedition around the Alaskan Yukon, the phrase, “it pays to be prepared,” cannot be overstated.
Just about anyone who enjoys backpacking has a story or two to share about the …
I’ve spent a lot of time on the trails this summer hiking all over San Diego County, putting my fair weather gear through its paces. It’s been a great opportunity to take note of the necessities and dump the gear I either don’t use or don’t need, and replace the gear I don’t like.
My essentials …
Distance: 4.0 miles | Hiking time: 3 hours | Difficulty: 7/10 | More info.
Cleveland National Forest is home to some of San Diego’s most revered hiking trails, campgrounds and backcountry destinations, not least among them is Three Sisters Falls. Head out to Three Sisters Falls during the …
In early June of this year, I completed a 5 day, 4 night adventure backpacking the Lost Coast Trail in Northern California. Prior to this trip, I had completed a couple of 2 and 3 nighters, but this would be my longest trip to date, and I was really focused on cutting down on food costs and weight.…
Our body’s are amazing organisms with a remarkable sense of self-preservation, but they’re only able to manage heat transfer to a point. In a wilderness survival situation, understanding the 5 methods of heat transfer could prevent the very real possibility of experiencing proble…
Adventurers, fast hikers, and ultra runners all have at least one thing in common; the desire to constantly push their bodies and minds to new limits. From Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay’s historic ascent up Mount Everest in 1953, to Joe McConaughy’s recent record-breakin…
For those of us who enjoy heading out into the wilderness, snake encounters are a fact of life. The good news is that the chance of being bitten by a venomous snake is very low, while the likelihood of surviving a bite is extremely high. According to the CDC, “It has been estimated that 7,000–8,000 p…
Distance: 6 miles | Hiking time: 3 hours | Difficulty: 7/10 | More info.
If you’re looking for a great way to beat the crowds of Cowles Mountain while enjoying similar views, and you don’t mind adding a few miles to your trip to do it, head on over to Pyles Peak. The extra mileage isn’t that demandin…
In my last article, “This Wilderness Survival Quiz Just Might Save Your Life – Part 1/2“, I laid out four of the most basic principles of wilderness survival. I also put my knowledge to the test by taking this grueling 12 question quiz to find out exactly how prepared …
