I met James at a café in Puebla, Mexico. Outside the window, a parade trundled past. Priests wearing black cloaks with large, coned hats strode by as locals watched a floating Jesus bob down the packed streets. It was Viernes Santo (Holy Friday) of Semana Santa – a public holiday widely celebrated across the orthodox […]
One of the best ways to enjoy the outdoors is through backpacking. There’s really nothing quite more satisfying than getting camp set up, looking around, and not seeing another soul because of how far out you hiked! But those miles can get overwhelming when your pack is heavier than it needs to be. Heavy packs […]
Tales from the trail come from all kinds of unlikely sources. Friends, colleagues, folks met on the trail, and even social media are all teeming with opportunities to hear about adventures had, lessons learned, and more. One of 2021’s favorite tales from the trail comes from the Sutton family. Josh and Cassie Sutton are parents […]
Caroline Sullivan, of Knoxville, Tennessee, is a full stack web developer by day and an avid outdoorswoman by evening and weekend. In fact, she’s hiked more than 300 miles in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in the past year and is eager to explore more. This mileage has come with quite a few tales […]
For Jessica Kendall Thomas of Carmel, Indiana, the time she spends exploring the outdoors with her family is “a blessing.” Jessica and her husband John are avid outdoors people and introduced their children to the wonders of nature and exploration at a very young age. From hiking across the Tetons and taking in aspens while […]
There’s something about a sunset hike that stirs the soul. Watching the sunset over the mountains instills a sense of peace you can’t find anywhere else. Enjoy the calming sensation you’ll feel in your mind and body with these top 10 sunset summits. The top 10 sunset summits to hike to includes destinations across the […]
With such varied terrain and true ecological diversity from coast to coast, you know that hiking is a great way to see the country. The nation’s top hikes with a view let you ramble on and take in nature with a newfound appreciation. Gain a new perspective by setting out on one of the hikes […]
The right backpack can make or break your experience when you’re out on the trails. No matter whether you’re sweating through Appalachian swamps in the summer heat or rambling over alpine ridges, the best backpacks for hiking align with your body and your needs. There’s a lot of consideration when thinking about the best backpacks […]
It is a fact that holds true for many. Hiking can be a life-altering experience, from basking in the freedom to explore to truly absorbing nature. In fact, you might reap the most benefits from your outdoor experience by going solo. The benefits of hiking alone abound. Solo hiking is good for the body and […]
Day hikes are great, but the best backpacking hikes let you experience nature in a whole new way. In fact, backpacking comes with a number of unique benefits. From improving your physical fitness to improving your mental health, backpacking lets you explore nature and yourself every step along the way. The best backpacking hikes are […]