Blog

X-Pyr: Paragliding Across the Pyrenees by Kinga Masztalerz Pt. 1
X-Pyr is a one weeklong adventure race zigzagging throughout the whole Pyrenees, from the Atlantic coast to the Mediterranean Sea. The athletes can move only by flying their paragliders or hiking and caring their flying gear on their back. It takes place every other year and attracts the best pilots and hike & fly athletes in the world. This year I was the only woman qualified. 
Continue reading
40 Days of Rain or in Search of Noah’s Ark by Hawkeye Johnson
When you go backpacking during the July/August monsoon season in the San Juan mountains of Colorado you can expect rain and sometimes a lot of it like this summer, one of the top 5 wettest in history. It rained almost every day of this hike that began on June 23 at Cumbres Pass on the Continental Divide Trail (CDT) at the New Mexico/ Colorado border. Ironically, Deb and I drove to Chama, NM the day before where we discovered the town in a state of emergency! The entire town was without water due to an undiscovered leak and the town’s holding tanks had run dry. In town our favorite motel, the Chama Trails Inn, was open but with portable bathrooms in the lot and serving bottled drinking water. We made do with deli food from the nearby grocery store as I organized my gear.
Continue reading
How to Responsibly Fly a Drone While Hiking - By Mickey Martin aka The Virtual Sherpa

Drones have become increasingly more popular among outdoor recreationalists, especially with hikers and backpackers. Drones have countless uses in the backcountry including search and rescue, mapping out difficult to reach areas, tracking animals, educating outdoor recreationalists and of course creating some pretty unique photos and videos. Chances are, if you ask one of your hiking buddies about their feelings towards drones, they will have a pretty strong feeling. Countless times, I have heard hikers say “they are too loud,” “they should be banned everywhere,” or “the buzzing sound will scare other hikers and animals.” The point of this blog is not to get into a pissing match over various opinions around drones, but rather educate those who wish to fly on how to responsibly fly a drone while hiking. Just like you research weather, terrain, conditions, and other logistics before a hike – those wishing to fly a drone will need to do some research before flying their unmanned aircraft.

Continue reading
What to Pack for a Day Hike by Mickey Martin aka The Virtual Sherpa
What should you pack for a day hike? Should my packing list be different during various seasons? How about for a 14er hike? I get asked these questions all the time. Whether you are heading to hike around your local State Park or a demanding summit, it’s important to have a bag full of the necessary items and gear. Over thousands of miles of day hiking, I have refined my bag and thought I would share with you all. Below is a list of gear that I recommend for a typical day hike. 
Continue reading
Hiking the Timberline Trail by Rory Pedrick
Earlier this fall, I, along with my Dad and neighbor Leif, hiked the Timberline trail. The trail is roughly a 40-mile loop around Mount Hood and consists of rocky trails and sweeping views of Mt. Hood. This trail is well worth your time if you have a long weekend on your hands. I want to begin by saying I'm not an expert, and this article is written from the point of view of a newcomer, as this was one of my first long-distance backpacking trips. Here is my overall summary of my trip and some tips I picked up along the trail.
Continue reading