Tired of eating that freeze-dried glop they call backpacking food? Oh, and how about paying for that stuff? I mean they charge outrageous prices for that stuff – stuff that really isn’t all that good. How come there isn’t a good tasting, reasonably priced alternative!? There are alternatives, and you need look no farther than your […]
SoCalHiker Tech: DeLorme inReach Explorer Review
My first experience using the DeLorme inReach Explorer was along the John Muir Trail last summer. Not only was it reassuring to know that if I needed emergency care or evacuation, I would have dependable communication with search-and-rescue (SAR) but it proved useful in many other ways. The DeLorme inReach Explorer can provide you with […]
After-Hike Social Survival Kit
You’ve been on the trail hiking for six hours. You made the summit all-smiles, and got back safely to the trailhead. You huffed and puffed. You sweat. Your body is complaining–“Why are you doing this to me?!” What you don’t want to do is stuff your sweaty, grimy body into your car for the ride back […]
What I Wear: 3-Season Hiking in SoCal Mountains
Several years ago I led a group hike up Mt. San Antonio — aka Mt. Baldy. The hike was in early June, and the hikers in the group all lived in Orange County. The typical June weather in OC is pleasant. Shorts and flip-flops are de rigueur on weekends. In the mountains, however, the weather […]
Win a Grand Truck Hammock
Who doesn’t love a hammock? I can remember as a kid growing up in Indiana, the romantic notion of laying back in a hammock on a nice summer day, sipping cold lemonade and watching the clouds pass by through the canopy of leafy green sycamore trees. Hammocks are even more awesome today — and a […]
Hiking the John Muir Trail: What to Wear
One of the questions everyone asks me about hiking the John Muir Trail is “What should I wear?” It’s not usually phrased so bluntly. Sometimes it’s couched in more specific terms, like “Should I wear down or fleece?” or “trail shoes vs. boots?” While I can’t tell you what’s right for you, I will share […]
Getting Outdoor Gear for a Song
It’s ironic. Outdoor gear can be really expensive. It doesn’t seem right that getting in touch with nature costs an arm and a leg. Thankfully, it doesn’t have to. The good folks at The Clymb have put together a membership site with limited time deals on outdoor gear and adventures. And don’t be put off by […]
Hiking with Trekking Poles
I have hiked and backpacked for years without trekking poles. I’ve seen plenty of people using them, but always thought they would be more of a nuisance than a help. My views have changed, with this caveat: trekking poles are great when you use them correctly. Sadly, most people I see on the trails do […]