Having the opportunity to view wildlife in it’s natural habitat is just one of the major perks to what we love to do. But often not having an understanding of species can lead to misunderstanding, and mistakes with how to conduct ourselves. This is particularly true when it comes to encountering bears. All wild animals should be treated with respect especially potentially dangerous animals. While there are many factors to avoid negative confrontations with bears probably t

Everything was going so great … until it wasn’t. We had nearly made it to the VA/ WV boarder when my left foot started to hurt. It wasn’t much at first, just dull pain at the end of the day, but hey, I had just hiked 15-20 miles. It should hurt or at least that’s what I thought. A few days later, the pain was ongoing. It hurt with every step I took. We had planned to stop and see Andy’s childhood friend for the night and that stop couldn’t have come at a better time. I was h

No trail should be underestimated. With that said, nothing in the White Mountains should ever be underestimated. Before my first visit to New Hampshire, and its beautiful White Mountains, I read an article that compared them to some of the more difficult and dangerous ranges in the world. I figured the writer was just trying to stir intrigue and reach more readers with his intense writing. As it turns out, he wasn’t wrong. Though the Whites are a part of the Appalachians,

I’ve decided to combine a skill and a piece of gear, and I do so with ominous apprehension. My gear selection is going to come across as a rant but I will avert the all-out tirade for this month's installment and conserve it for another episode. But alas, the two go hand in hand as one necessitated the invention and use of the other. WADERS: because fly poles are so long and so much line must be let out to cast a fly properly into the water column, and because most rivers ar

With mountains to trek and ski, canyons and boulder fields to climb, and everything in-between, Utah really has it all, it’s actually really surprising they have to advertise to adventurers. The topography and environment in this west-southwest state provides adventurers with endless backcountry entertainment. In fact, Utah is home to five national parks, one of which being Zion. Zion is a canyon oasis of high cliffs, lush valleys, and water carved stone. It’s a menagerie of

Though we would much rather hike the ridges of towering mountains and scramble steep trails of deep wildernesses; time and life often gets in the way. Luckily as backcountry athletes we are a resourceful bunch. We have the ability to adapt, overcome, and appreciate adventure wherever we are. We’re known to hike miles upon miles for a view and more often for the pure challenge. When life doesn’t allow for a weekend trip away or even a day hike this challenge can be met in our