Smartphone-integrated GPS Mapping For Hunting And Hiking

Smartphone GPS Mapping for Hunting and Hiking featured image.

Smartphone GPS mapping has quickly become a really practical tool for outdoor enthusiasts, especially for hunting and hiking. My experience using these apps has shown me how much easier it is to plan routes, track movements, and stay aware of my location when I’m deep in the woods or miles from the nearest road. Smartphones … Read more

Eberlestock Backpacks: Customizing Your DIY Hunting Loadout

Eberlestock Backpacks featured image showing the author with pack on his back standing next to the South San Juan Wilderness Trail Marker.

Eberlestock backpacks have built a following with their EMOD (Eberlestock Modular) system, giving hunters like me the flexibility to build a personalized and dynamic loadout that matches changing needs as you go from quick day hikes to multiday hunts. If you spend any serious time in the backcountry hunting or scouting, the way you pack … Read more

Without a GPS Signal How do You Navigate Backcountry Trails?

How to Navigate the Backcountry without a GPS signal featured image showing Gerald Gerwick standing on the Mountainside and checking for landmarks in the valley below.

Finding my way through backcountry trails without a GPS signal can feel intimidating at first, but it’s completely possible with practice and the right techniques. Electronic devices can help, but I need practical skills to stay safe and on track when technology is unreliable. This guide shares how I handle off-grid navigation and gives tips … Read more

Safety Tips For Hiking In Bear Country

Safety Tips for Hiking in Bear Country featured image showing a small group of hikers on a mountain trail, with a large bear coming down the trail toward them.

Hiking in areas where bears live can be memorable, but it also calls for a little extra planning. I find it really important to prepare for both the fun and the unexpected moments. Knowing how to keep myself and those with me safe helps everyone relax and enjoy the trail even more. QUICK LOOK: What … Read more

Camping And Hiking In The South San Juan Wilderness Of Colorado

Camping and Hiking in the South San Juan Wilderness of Colorado featured image showing our backpacking tents set up on a hillside overlooking a mountain meadow.

The South San Juan Wilderness in southern Colorado stands out as one of my favorite places for outdoor adventure. Its rugged volcanic peaks, remote valleys, and hidden lakes give an experience that’s rare on busier trails elsewhere. Hiking and camping here means stepping into one of Colorado’s wildest corners, with 158,790 acres of protected wilderness … Read more

Camping And Hiking In The Texas Big Bend Ranch State Park

Big Bend Ranch State Park featured image showing the Author standing in front of the Solitario Bar.

Camping and hiking in Big Bend Ranch State Park is an adventure unlike anywhere else in Texas. Most people come here for the solitude, rugged desert scenery, and wild remoteness that you just can’t find in more popular parks. QUICK LOOK: Recommended Hikes in Big Bend Ranch State Park I always get an honest sense … Read more

7 Tips For Hunting The Elk Migration

Hunting the Elk Migration featured an image of a large herd of elk migrating through a valley with snow-covered mountains in the background.

Following elk migration during hunting season brings both excitement and new challenges. These large animals move across vast landscapes as the seasons change. Being able to predict where and when you’ll find them makes a huge difference in your success. QUICK LOOK: Tips for Hunting the Elk Migration Elk are highly adaptable, but migration routes … Read more

6 Key Features of Ultralight Telescopic Fishing Rods For Backpackers

Telescopic Fishing Poles for Backpacking Feature Image showing a lady angler wading in a stream and fly fishing.

Ultralight telescopic fishing rods have become a favorite for backpackers who love both hiking and fishing. I enjoy how these rods collapse down to a size that fits comfortably in my pack, letting me explore new waters without carrying heavy, awkward gear. I want to share what makes these rods so practical and why they … Read more

5 Things To Look For In A Backpacking Sleeping Bag

What to Look for in a Backpacking Sleeping Bag featured image showing a lady backpacker in her sleeping bag in the middle of a snow field.

Finding a sleeping bag that fits your backpacking needs can have a big effect on how much you enjoy your nights outside. I remember my early trips, shivering through cold nights or fighting with bulky gear that wouldn’t fit in my bag. After a few seasons, I learned the value of paying attention to every … Read more

7 Tips on Fishing Gear For Backpacking

Fishing Gear for Backpacking featured image showing lady angler with a large trout as she kneels in a mountain stream, next to an image of Gerald Gerwick checking his GPS while backpacking in the South San Juan Wilderness of Colorado

Fishing while backpacking gives me a special kind of freedom. Nothing beats casting a line into a quiet stream after a long day on the trail. To pull this off, I need compact, lightweight fishing gear that fits easily in my pack. QUICK LOOK: Fishing Gear for Backpacking Tips Getting my setup right from the … Read more