For many veterans, finishing their time in the military and returning to the civilian world is daunting. Many struggle from both physical and mental wounds and have difficulty in finding their footing without the military lifestyle they have grown accustomed to. Heading into the backcountry can be a vital piece of the recovery process. It is an opportunity to reconcile the past and move forward to the future that veterans fought to secure for others. The mountains can provide

Journeying into the backcountry with friends is much safer and can be a great time. However, people just piss you off sometimes, and they’re the reason to escape into the wild, I get it. Solo hiking can be a peaceful experience, it allows for a time to reflect and center yourself. Here are five reasons to go it alone on your next adventure. Peace and Quiet: One of the major advantages of going into nature is for the tranquility that it provides. There’s really no better wa

Nearly everyone on the continent (maybe the world?) has either been to, or at least seen a picture of, the largest canyon in the world, the Grand Canyon. The title of “the biggest” has garnered it much attention since it became an official national park in 1919. Throngs of visitors come from all over the world to take in that boundless beauty firsthand. It certainly is grand. Indeed, “the one great sight which every American should see1” seems to attract more and more tourist

Everyone has his or her own ideal expectations for an excursion into the backcountry. Many of us want it all: soaring jagged mountains, crystal clear lakes, lush forests, and a challenging trail that satisfies our thirst for adventure. Or we have to decide between great mountain adventures or great lakes views. Unfortunately ideals and reality, depending on your geographical location, rarely co-habitate, however, these magical places do in-fact exist. They’re just tucked away

No one likes doing dishes, especially not in the backcountry. Using specific pots to cook meals means a heavier load to carry not to mention the eventual dirty dishes to tend to. While it’s nice to have a gourmet wilderness meal now and again there are a few ways to cut back on camp kitchen work and still enjoy good eats. One particularly easy way to drop dish weight and enjoy good meals comes with a little planning. This simple plan includes seeking out foods that come in pa

Pitkin Trail is one of five trails that travel through the Eagles Nest Wilderness from exit 180 of I-70 as it winds through the Colorado Rockies near Vail. The Pitkin Trail, along with its fellow nearby trails (Booth lake, Bighorn Creek, Deluge Lake, and Gore Creek), is an exciting all around, out and back, trail that journeys to Pitkin Lake. This trail can be enjoyed as a day hike or a multi-day backpacking experience with outstanding views no matter how far or long you choo

Many underestimate New England’s backcountry. However, for those that venture into its wilderness know that there are both difficult challenges and peaceful tranquility to be had. Whatever adventure you seek you will find it within one or all of these five places that you need to explore! Catskill Mountains: Whether you’re looking for a serene walk through nature or a challenging steep uphill trek, this wilderness has what you’re looking for. This New York Forest is lush and

Outdoor adventurers, get ready to have your minds blown. What if you had soaring jagged peaks, clear cool alpine lakes, miles of wild backcountry trails, and to boot, access to some of the amenities of home all in one place? You do! Idaho’s Sawtooth Recreation Area is an outdoor enthusiast’s paradise. It is a massive area filled with steep jagged peaks (hence the name), miles and miles of wilderness trails that travel through pristine Idaho backcountry, and camp areas to rese

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

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