Category
Stories
105 articles
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
Getting Itchy…
Its an itch, sort of like that one that you get now and again that you just cant seem to scratch. It keeps moving around as you keep scratching after it. Its a pull to do something, get out some where and see something wild or venture so far from society that you would be […]
1 min read · Oct 20, 2015 · Forrest Setnor
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
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
Camping
How to Choose a Sleeping Bag
Sleeping in a tent can be one of the great joys of the wilderness. If you don’t have the right sleeping bag, however, that joy can turn to misery quickly. There are a number of factors to take into account when you’re choosing a sleeping bag. Here are the main things that I look at […]
1 min read · Oct 9, 2015 · Ian Campbell
Backcountry Skills
First Time Gear for Beginner Backpackers: What to Invest In
If it’s your first time backpacking, it’s easy to get lost in all of the gear for beginner backpackers. Don’t get carried away with new gear. Necessary items can be difficult to decide on, especially when it comes to the price tag. You might find yourself saying, “I’ll get this for now, and I can […]
1 min read · Oct 6, 2015 · hanalarock
Backpacking
9 Ways to Meet Other Backpackers
While backpacking can be an empowering solo sport, it can be comforting to hike a trail with companions. If you’re new to backpacking, it’s important to have a supportive community of other backpackers to teach you the ropes, and suggest places to go. Nowadays, in a world that’s so connected, the ways to meet other […]
1 min read · Oct 5, 2015 · hanalarock
Backpacking
Great Jobs for People Who Love Backpacking
If you’re the type of person who loves the outdoors and hates the office, then it’s likely you’ve considered leaving it all to live off the grid. However, due to circumstances, you have obligations that prevent you from living this way, and you’ve resorted to hiking only on weekends and vacations. Well, what if we […]
1 min read · Oct 1, 2015 · hanalarock
Backpacking
The 8 Types of Backpackers You’ll Meet on the Trail
While you might have a lot of common with other backpackers, sharing the same passions and love for the outdoors, each person you hike with brings a different attribute to the table. At times, it might be hard to determine what kind of backpacker you are, but if you hit the trails often, then there’s […]
1 min read · Sep 30, 2015 · hanalarock
Backpacking
Another Appalachian Trail Record
A young woman from Seattle who goes by the name ‘Anish’, broke the record for completing the Appalachian Trail in the quickest time ever as an ‘unsupported’ backpacker. This means that Anish, who formally goes by Heather Anderson, made the 2,189 mile backpacking trip without any help from others along the way. And, she did […]
1 min read · Sep 29, 2015 · hanalarock
Stories
Rock Climbing in North America’s Backcountry: An Interview with Matthew Oberhardt
True backpacking can be a real challenge in itself, but occasionally some dare to take it to the next level; rock-climbing. In addition to so many beautiful places there are to hike in North America, people like Matthew Oberhardt have decided to take advantage of every rugged section of a mountain. I was curious to […]
1 min read · Sep 10, 2015 · hanalarock
Backcountry Destinations
#EveryKidInAPark – Why the New Initiative is Great for a 4th Grader
If you haven’t yet heard, fourth graders in America, their families, and of course their teachers and youth leaders, have just been given the opportunity to enter all national parks in the United States for free. The goal of this program is to give children a chance to explore and learn about the outdoors, while […]
1 min read · Sep 3, 2015 · hanalarock