Category
Backcountry Skills
132 articles
Backcountry Skills
Design Your Own Backcountry Fitness Challenge
Reaching your fitness goals in the outdoors isn’t impossible, but it’s not easy to plan, either. While there are guided fitness hikes you can join, they are usually more generalized and can’t necessarily accommodate your specific needs. However, if you have a goal set in mind as well as a destination, there’s no reason you […]
1 min read · Feb 9, 2016 · hanalarock
Backcountry Skills
Common Hiking Injuries and How to Prevent Them
While hiking is definitely good for you, both experienced and beginner hikers alike could find themselves with an injury from time to time. For every hiker, there’s a couple of injuries that are very common to get during a hike. Though these types of injuries aren’t life-threatening, they can make the rest of your journey […]
1 min read · Feb 4, 2016 · hanalarock
Backcountry Skills
Hate the Gym? Go Hiking!
While you should always get yourself into shape before hitting the trails, hiking is no doubt one of the best forms of exercise you can do. Especially if you’d rather get outside than have a gym membership, spring is right around the corner and it’s the ideal time for getting fit. Though there’s plenty of […]
1 min read · Feb 3, 2016 · hanalarock
Backcountry Skills
Healthy Food Choices On and Off the Trail
A big part of getting in shape for hiking is the food choices you make. It’s not enough to just exercise everyday, without paying attention to the food you’re eating. Training your body by eating healthy, whole foods on and off the trail, will leave you feeling energized, awake, and ready to conquer anything. Imagine […]
1 min read · Feb 2, 2016 · hanalarock
Backcountry Skills
Getting in Shape for Hiking Season: The Basics
It’s now February, and the warmer months are right around the corner. No matter how eager you are, it’s never a good idea to jump right into hiking again until your body has been revitalized. Unless you were really into winter hiking this year, it’s likely that you need to train your body to get back into […]
1 min read · Feb 1, 2016 · hanalarock
Backcountry Skills
9 Lessons We Learn From Backpacking
Being outdoors teaches us a lot of things. Though we learn certain skills, anyone can really learn how to pitch a tent or how to start a fire. We can all learn how to figure out public transportation or bits and pieces of language when backpacking in a foreign country. However, there’s certain lessons that only […]
1 min read · Jan 11, 2016 · hanalarock
Backcountry Skills
How to be Prepared for Any Trek at Any Time
Most backpacking trips or even day hikes take quite a lot of planning, often months in advance. Sometimes though, you have to be ready to get outdoors even when your bags aren’t packed and you still have dishes in the sink. Being ready and able to hit a trail as soon as the opportunity arises […]
1 min read · Jan 5, 2016 · hanalarock
Backcountry Skills
10 Ways to Stay Warm Outdoors
Hiking in the winter presents a lot of challenges, and it’s no question that one of the biggest challenges is staying warm. While some people handle it really well, others just can’t stand it. However, for the backpacker who is always up for something difficult, you’re going to have to find as many ways as […]
1 min read · Dec 29, 2015 · hanalarock
Backcountry Skills
13 Easiest Snacks for the Trail
Whether you’re hitting the trail for a long-term backpacking trip or a short day hike, you’re going to want some snacks to eat along the way. Though there’s tons of recipes out there to cook yourself up a delicious dessert, sometimes you just want something you can grab quick and be on the go. With […]
1 min read · Dec 22, 2015 · hanalarock
Backcountry Skills
What To Do in an Avalanche
While winter hiking presents a lot of dangers, there’s nothing quite as terrifying as the potential for an avalanche. An avalanche is when snowfall gets too heavy, making layers upon layers of snow slide down at rapid speeds. Additionally, avalanches can be caused by earthquakes or animal movement. There’s really no way to predict or […]
1 min read · Dec 21, 2015 · hanalarock
Backcountry Skills
Getting Suited Up: Basic Winter Gear
Hiking during the winter means going out in conditions that are not always favorable by your current set of gear. The snow, ice, wind, and little visibility can take a toll on things, and you want to make sure that you’re prepared with only the most supportive and reliable gear. If you’re new to hiking […]
1 min read · Dec 17, 2015 · hanalarock
Backcountry Skills
The 7 Do’s and Don’ts of Winter Hiking
For those getting ready to hike this winter, there’s a lot to prepare for; much more so than during the other seasons. Just being a person who is comfortable in the cold or used to the snow isn’t quite enough. There are a lot of things to look out for while being in the outdoors […]
1 min read · Dec 16, 2015 · hanalarock