Author
hanalarock
I'm Hana- a freelance travel writer and teacher who currently lives in South Korea. I'm originally from New York, but have spent the last two years traveling and living abroad. My first time hiking in the US was when I traveled around the country as a teenager. Though, my first adult backpacking trip was a year ago, when I hiked from Thailand down to Singapore for a month. I'm looking forward to many more adventures in the future. Visit my site for more information.
316 articles
Backcountry Destinations
11 Ways to #OptOutside Instead of Black Friday
Last week, the CEO of backpacking store REI, Jerry Stritzke, announced that this year the store would not be opening it’s doors for Black Friday, but instead paying their employees to ‘go outside and play’. Black Friday is the biggest shopping day of the year in the U.S, has incidentally taken people away from the […]
1 min read · Nov 3, 2015 · hanalarock
Backcountry Destinations
Hiking North America’s Most Frightening Stairs & Bridges
Though there’s tons of aspects of hiking that can be quite scary, high footbridges and steep staircases take fear to a whole new level…literally. While you may have already conquered your fear of heights by climbing some of the tallest peaks that are out there, there’s something a little different about having a single bridge […]
1 min read · Oct 29, 2015 · hanalarock
Backcountry Destinations
The Best Hikes to America’s Hot Springs
Sometimes, the best part of hiking is coming along something you don’t get to see everyday; like hot springs. Although the U.S might not get as much recognition for its hot springs as other countries, they’re still very much here, waiting for you to come explore. Hot springs are thermal, mineral waters that are result […]
1 min read · Oct 28, 2015 · hanalarock
Backpacking
8 of the Top Water Filters on the Market
When going out for a backpacking trip, it’s necessary that you have a source of clean water. Most backpackers either choose between a small filtration system or purifier. While both generally get the job done well, it’s important to know the different kinds of filters and purifiers that are out there, as well as the […]
1 min read · Oct 27, 2015 · hanalarock
Backcountry Destinations
8 Insane Cliff Jumps in the US
Cliff jumping is one way to make your back country experience even more exciting. While you or someone you know might be a junkie for wild animals, rock climbing, or freezing alpine hikes, those with fear of heights might want to pass up on this one. Cliff jumping can be extremely dangerous, and it’s important […]
1 min read · Oct 26, 2015 · hanalarock
Backcountry Skills
The Start-up Costs of Backpacking
If you’re from the US, the best part about backpacking state-side as opposed to going abroad is that you get to save some money. While backpacking may not be cheap at first, especially getting the gear you need, it’s one of those things that pays for itself overtime. Though you might have to dish out […]
1 min read · Oct 24, 2015 · hanalarock
Camping
Keeping a Hiking Journal
As a traveler and a writer, my partner will vouch for me that the one thing I must always have when heading out for a new trip is a hiking journal. As ironic as it is, there really are no words to describe why anyone in particular feels the urge to record their travels. For […]
1 min read · Oct 21, 2015 · hanalarock
Backpacking
8 Strange Animals of North America
While hiking in North America, you can expect to see everything from moose and deer, to rabbits, foxes, and hopefully from a distance, bears and mountain lions. Living here, you pretty much know what to expect when it comes to seeing the wildlife. However, there are some animals in North America’s back country that perhaps […]
1 min read · Oct 20, 2015 · hanalarock
Backpacking
7 Things Scarier Than Halloween Hikes
There are tons of ‘haunted trails’ out there that you can visit this Halloween. We’ve all heard of the best places to hike if you want to get freaked out; from the Great Smoky Mountains, to the Sasquatch sightings of Washington, to various lakes where children have supposedly died and their spirit still exists. While […]
1 min read · Oct 19, 2015 · hanalarock
Backcountry Destinations
8 of the Best Hiking Spots to Watch the Sun Rise
Backpackers will tell you that some of the best parts of hiking are seeing the rewards at the end of a long trek. One of these great gifts of nature is being able to watch the sunrise. While it’s certainly not easy having to wake up early and navigate through the trails in the darkness, […]
1 min read · Oct 15, 2015 · hanalarock
Backcountry Destinations
8 Great Wheelchair Accessible Hikes
If you or someone you love has a physical disability, it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t get to experience the joys of hiking like everyone else. Because of the American Disabilities Act passed in 1990, just about everything in our country is becoming as accessible to people with disabilities as it is for those without; even […]
1 min read · Oct 14, 2015 · hanalarock
Backpacking
Thoughts Every Backpacker Has on the Trail
Backpacking is a great opportunity to be with yourself and connect with nature. By being away from your daily routines, there’s a lot more time to let your mind drift off and think about things. Without everyday distractions, being outside and carrying your life on your back can really make your mind wander to places […]
1 min read · Oct 13, 2015 · hanalarock