Packing for a Hike

I’ve been reviewing products professionally for 30+ years now, and I never get tired of seeing the new innovations that seem to be released every year  around this time.  As someone who grew up camping and hiking with my family in the ’70s and ’80s, it’s amazing to see how much the outdoor gear industry … Read more

It’s been nearly 5 years now since the COVID pandemic changed the way many people choose to travel, and camping, hiking, and other forms of outdoor recreation have never been more popular. The incredible array of state parks, national parks, and national forests in the Blue Ridge Mountains have been seeing record-breaking visitation numbers, as … Read more

Now that Spring has officially sprung, temperatures are rising, wildflowers are blooming, and the peak season for exploring the Blue Ridge Mountains is just around the corner.  If you’re anything like us, this time of year is perfect for getting out and enjoying the great outdoors, hiking trails, chasing waterfalls, and spending long, lingering days … Read more

I’ve been a big fan of hiking for as long as I can remember. My love of nature was inspired by my parents, who led our church youth group on camping trips to hike the Appalachian Trail in Georgia and explore the North Carolina mountains when I was a young boy. In my 20s, I … Read more

The 10 Best Apps for Hikers and Backpackers, all of which are free on the App Store (with paid subscriptions for guides or offline content).