I saw a meme recently that read, “nothing, my favorite thing about Wyoming.” This is of course meant to be a positive sentiment saying there are only open skies and wild landscapes, and to the backcountry athlete this is the most alluring factor about this wild-west state. So in the case of the common view between something and nothing, I’m sure we can agree that “nothing” is far more appealing. Contrary to this meme, however, Wyoming is full of skyscrapers. Except they’re in

It’s difficult to pack light and still manage to carry everything you need. That’s why “two is one and one is none” is a good motto to keep. If something serves multiple purposes or you can find a way for it to serve more than one, it’s probably worth its weight. Duct tape isn’t always something that’s on the top of the gear list, but unexpected things happen on the trail, from gear mishaps to medical issues, and duct tape is a good “fix all” to keep handy. Here’s an easy

There are countless ways to stay entertained on the trail. You can take in the views. You can sing the song that has been stuck in your head all week ("Summer Night" by John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John. Hey, don't judge me! It's not my fault it's such a great song). You can call out the flora and fauna you come across. You can talk about the NBA playoffs (oh goodness, it's almost over and then we’ve got nothing!). We have, however, an option to stay entertained most can o

Edward Abby once said: Wilderness is not a luxury but a necessity to the human spirit. Those of us, who regularly trek steep mountain trails, climb boulders and vast rock walls, and journey through deep forests, know there to be no truer words. The relaxation and fulfillment that comes with exploring the deep backcountry is second to none. There are many forms of therapy, relaxation, and escape from the hustle, bustle, stress of daily life, and transitions from one norm to an

Badlands National Park is a well-known park and fairly popular to those traveling either east or west along the I-90 through South Dakota. It’s a beautiful area of towers and crests made up of layers of mounding rock and sediment. Depending on the time of day, the deep red, yellow, orange, brown, and gray layers of earth either shine in the sun or deepen in rich intensity creating a vibrant scene in every direction. There is also a very diverse group of animals including e

It’s that time of year when everyone wants to get outside, even that friend or loved one of yours that may be a little apprehensive to hit a long trail or go on a wilderness trip. We all love nature, just in varying degrees. Sometimes the adventurer inside needs a little nudge in some people. Here are a few tips to help you introduce that person to the backcountry, help them catch the adventure bug, and have a great time just like you’ve been telling them they would. Include