Welcome to the first in a series of blogs that will break down many of the in's and out's of hiking skills. This series will function in the spirit of the adage, "teach a man to fish, and he'll eat for a lifetime," and it's my hope that I what I share over the course …
Last week, 60-year old Sheryl Powell vanished from Grandview Campground after a reported confrontation with a knife-wielding male who intended to sexually assault here. Search and rescue operations found Powell after four days, during which time she survived by drinking spring water. Only a few weeks prior, a man was shot after entering a couples’ …
I found myself with an hour of leisure time between the moment I dropped my kid off at daycare and the moment I had to be at the office. So, as has become a custom on Tuesdays, I stopped at the Calavera Hills trail network for a quick hike. Normally, I stick to the lake, …
This past Saturday, I explored an area of Anza-Borrego Desert State Park that I had long wanted to explore, but never had the time to do so. I initially planned to include a route up the Carrizo Gorge in the 5th edition of Afoot and Afield San Diego County, but after one false start where we …
I’ve spent a lot of time banging the drum about the necessity and superiority of traditional navigation skills (map and compass). This is increasingly a lost art with the proliferation of convenient apps and devices, and even though a lot of hikers state a desire to learn how to use traditional means, the convenience of …
I’ve been spoiled. For the past 8 years, I’ve been fortunate enough to hike at least 800 miles per year despite full-time work, graduate school, and starting a family. This trail time is an extremely important factor in my life. Even half an hour of walking in open space produces a huge impact on my …
Continue reading "Maintaining an Active Hiking Life as a Working Adult"
Recently, I’ve seen a few discussions crop up that push back on the standard advice I offer to all hikers: learn how to use a map and compass. The heart of this pushback is that technology allows hikers to navigate through a variety of habitats with an ease and reliability that have never before existed …
“Failure is an opportunity. If you blame someone else, there is no end to the blame. Therefore the Master fulfills her own obligations and corrects her own mistakes. She does what she needs to do and demands nothing of others.” Lao Tzu Public lands face a lot of problems. There's vandalism, accidental deaths, climate …
Continue reading "Sure, Let’s Blame Social Media and the Milennials"
It's really easy for us so-called "experienced hikers" to get complacent and think that we've got all of the bases covered. In fact, we are just as prone as anybody, perhaps even moreso, when it comes to making stupid mistakes on the trail. I got a taste of my own hubris this past weekend when …
When it comes to social media, I’ve rubbed a lot of cats in the wrong direction because I sometimes take a political stance on public land issues. The complaints all fall within the vein of: “I hike to get away from politics!” and “This is a hiking group! Keep your posts on topic!.” Every once …
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Life Is Better Outside
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Hiking and photography in the Southwestern U.S.
