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Cheap Eats for the Trail: Ramen Plus

June 16, 2015 By Hikin' Jim 18 Comments

Simmering Ramen Plus

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 […]

Filed Under: Gear & Tips Tagged With: backpacking dinner, backpacking food, backpacking meal, backpacking menu, backpacking recipe, cheap eats, Gear & Tips

SoCalHiker Tech: DeLorme inReach Explorer Review

June 9, 2015 By Dara Morgan 8 Comments

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 […]

Filed Under: Gear & Tips Tagged With: Backpacking, Gear & Tips, review

After-Hike Social Survival Kit

April 13, 2015 By Jeff H 10 Comments

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 […]

Filed Under: Gear & Tips, Lifestyle Tagged With: Gear & Tips, hiking

What I Wear: 3-Season Hiking in SoCal Mountains

April 9, 2015 By Jeff H 6 Comments

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 […]

Filed Under: Gear & Tips Tagged With: Gear & Tips, Gear & Tips

Win a Grand Truck Hammock

July 16, 2013 By Jeff H 1 Comment

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 […]

Filed Under: Hiking News Tagged With: contest, Gear & Tips, hammock, Hammocks, Photo Contest

Hiking the John Muir Trail: What to Wear

June 27, 2013 By Jeff H 10 Comments

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 […]

Filed Under: Gear & Tips, JMT Resources Tagged With: Backpacking, clothes, Gear & Tips, JMT, JMT Resources, John Muir Trail, Outdoor Clothes, Thru-hiking, Trail Tested, Wear

Getting Outdoor Gear for a Song

April 26, 2013 By Jeff H 1 Comment

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 […]

Filed Under: Hiking News Tagged With: deals, Gear & Tips

Hiking with Trekking Poles

May 15, 2010 By Jeff H 29 Comments

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 […]

Filed Under: Gear & Tips Tagged With: Gear & Tips, hiking poles, trekking poles, video

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About SoCal Hiker

Jeff on Mount Rainier

I created SoCal Hiker while preparing to thru-hike the John Muir Trail. My goal? Create guides for the best hiking and backpacking trails with enough detail to make it an enjoyable experience for you. And while I started with trails in Southern California, I’ve expanded across the west. We hike each trail to create these guides, sharing practical advice on gear and outdoor skills. Read more…

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