1. Sports

Going It Alone?

I'm supposed to tell you not to hike alone. Don't hike alone! There, I've done it. But some of you are going to hike solo anyway, just like I sometimes do. Here's what to keep in mind when you break the cardinal rule of hiking.

More Hiking Dynamics
Hiking Spotlight10

Great Idea: Facebook Group for Trail Conditions

Thursday May 16, 2013

Some bright individual recently started a Facebook group for Anchorage locals interested in tracking trail conditions. Bravo! This is much more effective than posting to forums about trail conditions, because we're all on Facebook so much of the time anyway -- or is that just me?

Do you have a similar group in your area? If not, it might be time to start one!

What's Hot at About Hiking -- May 15

Wednesday May 15, 2013

A creek running down a brown hillside.What's hotter than knowing what to do if you get lost on a hike? Knowing a few things you should never do, apparently. Those are the hottest topics of the week, followed closely by Read More...

Reader Poll: How Often Do You Hike?

Tuesday May 14, 2013

Years ago, I was able to take off for a hike pretty much any time I wanted. Nowadays, I'm lucky to get out more than once a week. I realize I'm still pretty spoiled by some standards. So I'm curious: How often do you manage to hit the trail?

Great Idea: Plastic Bags in Your Socks

Monday May 13, 2013

A hiker's foot in a plastic bag.Waterproof hiking boots and shoes are a mixed bag -- they do great until the waterproof membrane tears, or maybe you step into a puddle that's deeper than the boot is high. Bam, you've got a boot full of water -- which that membrane is just as good at keeping in as it usually is at keeping the stuff out.

Still, when it comes to tromping through slush or mud or low water levels, waterproof boots are where it's at. If you don't happen to have waterproof boots hanging around when you reach a wet obstacle, you can always improvise with plastic bags instead. They're free, and they fold down to almost nothing in your pack.

Photo © Lisa Maloney: Now is that a stylin' trail look or what?

Discuss in my forum

©2013 About.com. All rights reserved.