The best way to have a hiking excursion is both fun and safe, is to be prepared for possible emergencies. I suggest equipment and other preparedness items to have on hand to deal with potential emergencies, See: Long-hike Equipment Checklist. Also see a range of scenarios that may occur on a hike, including how to […]
How to Pick a Buddy for a Hike
I strongly advocate finding a friend to accompany you on a hike. This is especially true if you are a beginner or a senior. In addition to being safer, if you pick the right partner(s) the hike will be more fun. Experiencing the adventure with someone of like interests, feeling safer in numbers, and having […]
Tips for Off Roading to Trailhead
Most hikes, certainly the ones that are named and documented, start at a trailhead. Usually there is a sign or other indicator that a trail starts there. Getting to trailhead can require driving on dirt roads, rocky tracks, uphills and downhills, and across water features. This is another reason why researching a hike beforehand is […]
Dogs and Porcupine Quills
There are a lot of misconceptions about porcupine encounters and if your dog gets quilled, it creates a difficult and dangerous situation. If you can get to a vet, don’t hesitate, go immediately. If you can’t because you are in the backcountry, see below. Porcupines are the third largest-sized rodents in the world. They live […]