Bears will typically only charge people if they feel threatened or (much less likely) challenged. If a bear is startled by your presence, or you have inadvertently given off a menacing vibe, you may trigger an aggressive response. Outside of… Read More »Why Do Bears Charge Humans?
My wife and I chose to hike this 9.5-mile route as kind of a “cool down” hike the day after we tackled Mount Mitchell, and it was a great choice. Starting at the Mount Mitchell State Park information center, we… Read More »Hike report: Commissary and Buncombe Horse Trails, near Mt Mitchell
One of the biggest challenges before a backpacking trip is selecting a backpack that actually works for you. Planning a trip longer than 3 days means you’re going to need more than just the bare essentials- plus lots of extra… Read More »Backpacking Basics: What Size Pack for a 5-Day Trip?
My wife and I hiked from Black Mountain Campground to the Mount Mitchell Summit on 05/19. – it’s one of the most popular trails in the state of North Carolina, pretty much entirely because Mount Mitchell is the highest point… Read More »Hike report: Mount Mitchell from Black Mountain Campground
When you’re prepping for your next overnight or multi-day backpacking trip, one thing that should be on your mind is how to safely deal with a bear encounter. Spending time in bear country is a great way to get far… Read More »Is Pepper Spray the Same as Bear Spray?
Across the 2,650 miles of the Pacific Crest Trail, you’ll encounter almost everything nature has to throw at you. Snow, rain, howling wind in some parts; bleak, dry, and arid desert in others- even active volcanoes! Stretching from one US… Read More »What National Parks are on the Pacific Crest Trail?
Backpacking and hiking are amazing ways to spend time and connect with nature, but nobody said it was easy. In fact, the difficulty of many trails is precisely what’s appealing about them. This means, however, your body needs to be… Read More »12 off-trail exercises for Backpacking: Get in shape for your trip
Planning your next hiking or backpacking trip? Searching through the National Parks App or other hiking apps will open your eyes to some fantastic trails- many of them 40+ miles long. That’ll likely leave you wondering how many miles you… Read More »How Many Miles Can I Hike in a Day?
Most of us have heard of it in the outdoor world, but what is scrambling? This guide aims to provide the definitions and concepts you need to understand what someone means when they say “Class 3 scrambling”. The Definition of… Read More »What is Scrambling?
Are you going on a long backpacking trip and want to avoid poison ivy, or already have a burning poison ivy rash and are not sure how to treat it in the middle of your trip? Or, do you already… Read More »How to Treat Poison Ivy when Backpacking