Exploring the Best Hiking Trails in Baja California Sur
Nestled at the southern tip of the Baja California Peninsula, Baja California Sur is a vibrant...
We will to dive into another crucial topic that can truly make a difference in your paddling adventures—safety and how to avoid fatal kayaking mistakes. Today, we're going to discuss some of the biggest mistakes in kayaking that unfortunately can turn a fantastic day on the water into a nightmare.
The rewards of hiking and backpacking are well worth some calculated risks. But in order to make smart choices out there about how to avoid ticks while hiking, it is important to understand more about those critters.
When travelling across the globe together the inevitable kid tantrum or meltdown happens. Emily Jackson lends some advice to parents to deal with them.
Today's topic is a fun one, and something I've had in the chamber for a while now. So pop a squat, take a breath, and allow me to walk you through a certain backcountry call that sooner or later must be answered.
I travel almost full-time for nine to ten months out of the year, and I live out of a beautiful 32-foot trailer with my family. I work remotely and do a lot of video work, editing, and uploading. I’m a brand manager for a kayak company, Jackson Kayak, the internet is an important part of my day.
Your backpack is the foundation of all your hiking adventures. If it's well fitted appropriately-sized, functional in a way that's specific to your needs, it can feel like a welcomed extension of your body. The backpack gives you total freedom to explore the outdoors.
An inescapable, or welcomed, part of backpacking is sweating up a storm. Hikers are getting down in the dirt. We are tossing yesterday's clothes back into the mix. Backpackers are forgoing a formal toilet or hot shower for days on end.
If you're just getting started in the exciting (but also somewhat overwhelming) world of backpacking, allow me to offer some beginner hiking and overnight tips. Here are the top five things that I wish someone would have told the younger me.
Camping and/or backpacking in the winter can be a fun challenge, and a great way to stave off those indoor doldrums, but there are also plenty of pitfalls to watch out for.
Having a backpacking packing list can be handy when you are preparing for the trip. Have you ever laid out all of your gear for an upcoming backpacking trip, and then turned to your pack and wondered how it could possibly all fit?
Those rainy day blues keep far too many potential backpackers hunkered-down inside. And when those clouds roll in mid-hike, it's easy to be caught off-guard - especially if you were expecting sunny skies.
Kayaking isn't just about sloshing around on the water. This sport can teach you lots of handy outdoor skills, and even fill in some gaps for those who missed out on (or can't remember) those Cub Scouts courses. Tying a dependable knot like the trucker's hitch is a prime example.
Having a properly fitted backpack is a critical component of reducing discomfort on the trail. Because hiking with weight creates a cumulative strain, it can be hard to suss out all the intricacies while testing different packs out in a store.
earning to kayak is a fairly intuitive activity for many people. You don't need a ton of instruction if you're just going to play around on a calm lake or river. Instruction does help when you are learning to kayak.
For the last decade or so, one of the fastest-growing categories within paddle sports has been kayak fishing. This trend has pushed developments in both kayaks and accessories that have benefited paddlers from all walks (or paddles) of life.
Whether you are dealing with an injury, or simply the realities of Father Time (often a mix of both), many current and would-be paddlers have to navigate these physical barriers. Things like back pain, shoulder pain, and of course, butt pain are common deterrents - but they don't have to be!
Have you grown tired of subsisting primarily on dehydrated/freeze-dried meals while camping? I know I have! Heading into the backcountry delivers a wealth of fresh air, fresh smells, and fresh experiences.
A 3 night, 4 day trip is the classic backpacking adventure. You get a thorough taste of the hiking/camping experience, and it’s short enough that you can carry everything you need, without having to worry about resupplies.
Whitewater kayaking for beginners shouldn't be scary. Do you have an adventurous side? How about a positive attitude? Can you handle getting a little wet? Then you should try whitewater kayaking. Contrary to popular opinion, I think these are the only requirements for starting your journey as a whitewater kayaker.
I’ve been doing a lot of backpacking lately with people who are newer to the pasttime. This means that I’ve borne witness (bared witness? Ah whatever, you get the idea) to a number of cringe-worthy mistakes by my peers who mean well, but just aren’t in the know. I see flubs while hiking, faux-pas around the tent, and self-defeating practices that scare off that precious backcountry sleep.
Stand up paddleboarding is a fun and challenging activity that is suitable for just about anyone to take up. This sport is ever-growing in popularity, which means there are constant waves of beginners working to find their footing.
Gather around all beginner and novice paddlers! Today I'm going to help you dodge or correct what I consider to be the top 6 easily avoidable kayaking mistakes that will leave you sopping wet, or looking like a total noob! - often both.
There are a number of factors that go into selecting the right kayak. For starters, there are crossroads when it comes to getting a hardshell vs a portable one, a sit-on-top vs a sit-inside, or a paddle vs a pedal kayak.
There are creative alternatives to tents that can help you save money and add some spice to your backpacking experience. Today, I'm going to walk you through three simple options that you can experiment with, depending on your comfort level. You can absolutely stay dry and happy throughout the night, without breaking the bank or solely relying on a classic shelter.
Today I'm going to pit 3 of my favorite and, coincidentally, best-selling recreational kayaks on the market in a head to head (to head) comparison. If you've been paying attention to PaddleTV then you might have seen that I gave the Wilderness Systems Pungo and the Sea Eagle Razorlite 393rl Kayak of the Year awards for 2021.
One of the joys of flat-water paddling is that you don't need proper technique in order to have a good time. I would argue, first and foremost, that the most important thing is to simply unplug from the rat-race, get out on the water, and have a genuine outdoor experience. That being said, by developing an effective approach to paddling, you will open several doors that will only serve to enhance your adventures.
One of the biggest concerns that newer paddlers have is in regards to flipping their kayak. This makes sense since sometimes it can be a cold and intimidating experience. Unfortunately, these "what if?" scenarios prevent many potential paddlers from ever taking up the sport. This breaks my heart a little bit because with a few basic strategies, you can dramatically reduce your chances of going for an unexpected swim. Implementing any-and-all of these should give you a huge confidence boost, which will hopefully increase your excitement to get out on the water.
Are you tired of getting poor-quality sleep while on a backpacking trip? Well, those days are over my friend. Endless nights of tossing and turning and some solid research sessions have led me to completely overhaul my sleep system. I'll tell you about my new dynamic duo (ZORP!) that knocks me out better than I ever could have dreamed. No more counting sheep, just deep sleep, free of regreets.
Hello prospective adventurers! Today I want to share some of the backpacking-related wisdom I've garnered over the years. I've come up with three overarching rules that will help ensure you have a good time, that you're totally safe, and that you leave the wilderness intact for other people. These tidbits are geared towards folks who are newer to the hiking community, but even if you feel like a veteran, we can all use a little refresher from time to time.
I just finished up a two-day trip on the New River in North Carolina. This was my attempt to to escape the capricious Canadian spring weather (we had snow recently in my neck of the woods…) and log my first multi-day paddle of 2022. Well, my icebreaker adventure was still quite cold, but also fun and beautiful. If you want the full, vicarious experience, check out my recent video with the River Kings.
Shopping for the latest and greatest backpacking gear can be an exciting experience. But don't forget about your first loves too quickly. Just because your backpack has a hole, your down jacket has lost some insulation, your rain jacket has devolved into a normal jacket, or your sleeping pad deflates during the night, doesn't mean that they need to be replaced - they can also be repaired.
The big question for new paddlers is: Do I go with a canoe, a kayak, or a stand up paddleboard? Well, you'll certainly find passionate defenders of all three options. The key is to narrow down what kinds of adventures you envision yourself going on. It's also important to compare things like performance and stability with the budget and ability of yourself and anyone else in your family or group. I'm going to break down many of the common questions and concerns for each of these vessels and, hopefully, shine some light on the best choice for you.
Today I want to offer you 9 simple, cheap (or free), and effective ways to enhance your comfort while backpacking. Most of these tips will be technique based, rather than plugs for additional gear. If you already have your basic backpacking setup, then you should be well-equipped for a comfortable experience.
Today is a tale of my personal woes in hopes that my mistakes can be your guide. Whether you're a beginner backpacker or someone who has been doing it your whole life, things get overlooked in our excitement, or delirious fatigue, or in the cases I'll tell you about today, excessive confidence. I've spent many years backpacking advanced trails and even 3 years as a guide. Though these experiences are largely an asset, my successes have also contributed to some boneheaded moves. I now humble myself before you, dear reader. Let's all take note and avoid these mistakes going forward.
If a paddling trip is worth doing, it's also worth capturing on video. In fact, filming can really add an interesting layer of excitement to your adventure. Sure, there are times when I don't want the added responsibility of capturing epic shots and managing the equipment, but more often than not, I genuinely look forward to filming my outings.
The Wind River Range is nestled southeast of the Grand Tetons. The mountain drama, the sheer rock rising vertically out of the plains that is so dramatic in the Tetons, is also gloriously present in the Wind Rivers as well. But the Wind River Range requires more effort to get to, and thus, doesn’t have the crowds of its big brother in the National Park.
An avid hiker, knowledgeable wilderness explorer and passionate adventurer, Eric Hanson is the face of the Epic Trails – Hiking project. Eric has a strong presence in the online hiking community and shares his adventures in an approachable and inspirational way.
The Carretera Austral navigates along some of the most mind-bending terrain on Earth, Chilean Patagonia. Here’s how to drive this bucket-list worthy road trip.
One of the questions I get asked the most is "How and when should I start paddling with my kids?" and it's a good question. These are my tips on how to do it smoothly – and safely.
If you're new to paddling, it can be hard to know what to take with you out on the water. So in this video, I'm letting you know what my top 5 pieces of paddling gear are and why I consider them essential pieces of gear for canoeing and kayaking.
While you can probably get away with whatever is in your closet, there are some things you should consider when dressing and choosing the best clothing for kayaking and canoeing, which we’re covering in this blog post!
Is a $500 paddle REALLY worth it, or can you get by with a $100 paddle? These are very common questions I'm asked, so I’m diving in to help you learn how to choose the kayak paddle that’s right for you.
Tired of sleeping poorly while camping? Here I breakdown the gear and the tips to great sleep in the outdoors.
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