I'm excited to write for this website, mostly because fly fishing is one of my greatest passions. No arm-twisting involved (I don't make it a point to argue with Navy SEALs). And partly because the fly fisherman community doesn’t open itself up to new members easily. Many, including myself, learned to fly fish by having the skill passed down from generation to generation. Of course, in this case it’s usually learning via fire hose, if you will. More often than not people t

As they say: if it can’t be fixed with duct tape, it can’t be fixed. And it turns out this saying holds true, in some cases, even for the body. As backcountry athletes we spend a lot of time, and rely heavily, on our feet. And it comes with the territory that injuries, illnesses, and other problems are bound to happen. Fortunately, there are several precautionary and post problem steps we can take. In my experience as a military medic, without always having quick access t

The Lake Tahoe region presents year-round recreation for every genre of backcountry athlete in all four seasons. Tahoe challenges adventurers with premier skiing, snowboarding, climbing and bouldering, trails at every desired length, spectacular fly-fishing, and mountain biking along with anything else the outdoors thrill-seeker can dream up. And it’s all set in some of the most alluring scenery you can find. Whether a veteran or just becoming acquainted, both agree a great

Wyoming. The Forever West State is home to the smallest population of any in the U.S., and they like it that way just fine. Really, the rest of us should appreciate this as well because it leaves plenty of pristine and hidden gems to explore. I’ve heard claims that the entire state should be considered a wilderness, some of these being statements from proud locals, which leaves the inexperienced to wonder about the places they’ve set aside as actual wilderness preserves.

Whether you’re looking for a peaceful place to pitch your tent, a spot to take a cool dip, somewhere to get your fly wet, or just a scenic destination to achieve, these lake hikes offer it all. Hikes to bodies of water always posses a certain lure to adventurers. Water is an essential element to existence; our bodies are made up of about 60 percent of the stuff so it’s no surprise that it attracts us. These trails traverse through some of the most alluring scenes the Pacif

I've never received any “official instruction” in the art of fly fishing. I learned through patience, practice, trial and error, and from just getting on the water and working technique. My first fly rod was handed down to me from my grandfather after his passing in the early nineties. He wasn't much of a fisherman--in fact--he hated fishing. But he knew how much I loved the sport, so during a visit to Jackson Hole and after going through the process of having a rod custo

With a little logistical help, motivation, and endurance, in a single day you can achieve the awe inducing overlooks on the peaks of three mountains in the Indian Head Wilderness, found along the northeast edge of the Catskill Mountains of New York. Mink Hollow Road resembles many of the other small town residential streets that intersect highway 212 as it runs west from Woodstock. This sleepy tree covered drive, however, leads to the Mink Hollow trailhead or trail 54. Afte

Check out this simple cold weather water hack that's sure to keep things easy in the backcountry this winter! The temps are dropping, which means some extra precautions are in order for your next wilderness adventure. Ensure your hydration- it’s equally important in winter as in summer; unfortunately water has a bad habit of freezing, even when carried. Water freezes first where it’s exposed to air. In the case of water contained in a bottle, that air is usually between the

Five Power Foods That Make You Great In this community of adventurers we all want to trek farther, climb higher, and go longer. We refuse to be held back by anything, least of all ourselves. We obviously have the psychological drive, but sometimes our bodies undermine us and hold us back. Often we feel sluggish because of fatigue, strain or, dare I say, poor diet. Fatigue and strain often come with the territory in these types of sports, but the effects of diet is totally