[su_dropcap style=”default” size=”3″ class=””]T[/su_dropcap]his was our second trip out to Joshua Tree National Park. The first one had been a spontaneous decision during a church retreat in Palm Springs. As such, I had not been prepared for the wilderness before me. When I stood in front of a mountain that I was supposed to climb with simply a rope to …
17 Essential Tips for Hiking with your 5 to 12 Year Old Kids
ids in this age range are often itching to get outdoors! Hiking is one of the best options to get your kids moving around in a healthy way, that won’t break the bank, and hopefully not their bones either! School-aged children can go for longer periods of time as well as go further, which is great because it serves as …
The Beginner’s Guide to Bouldering
What is Bouldering? ouldering is the simplest form of climbing, where harnesses and ropes are unnecessary and the climber’s goal is to scale small but tricky “boulder problems” (established routes or sequences on a boulder) with padded mats protecting the climber should he or she fall. Climbers tend to love bouldering or hate it. It’s a unique climbing discipline because …
Trekking Poles : What You Need to Know!
ew trekking pole users might find themselves wondering, “Should I use one trekking pole or two?” The answer depends upon what type of terrain you’ll be hiking. Single trekking poles, also sometimes referred to as a hiking staff, are great when hiking on relatively flat terrain with little to no weight on your back. On most other terrains I’d suggest …
22 Climbing Tips I Wish I Knew Sooner!
very experienced climber has some moments in the early days of their climbing career that they look back on and cringe. Whether it’s the time they showed up at the crag with fifteen people blasting Beyonce and got a stern talking to from a local, or the time they got in way over their head on a route, got benighted, …
Can Climbing Shoes Get Wet?
enerally speaking, yes, your climbing shoes can get wet while not experiencing any significant damage, though I would strongly suggest you try to keep them as dry as possible throughout their lifetime. Water will not destroy your shoes and generally, they are designed to withstand moisture with almost every use as you most likely sweat and contribute a bit of …
Deep Water Soloing for Beginners – 14 Quick Tips!
f you’re reading this article, I’m pretty sure you are probably wondering what Deep-Water Soloing is, like I was when I first heard of it. It is not scuba-diving, which was where my mind went first, nor does it mean going at something alone. Deep-Water Soloing, (a.k.a. “Psicobloc”), or DWS, is rock climbing, without any Belay equipment (the solo part) …
What is the Yosemite Decimal System?
A ‘Short’ History of the Yosemite Decimal System (and what all those dang numbers mean) he Yosemite Decimal System was created by the Sierra Club in the 1950’s to classify all types of mountaineering adventures. They created a three-fold categorization system that I have summed up as difficulty, duration, and deadliness. As going outdoors got more popular, especially technical climbing, …
Climbing Lingo Glossary : Terms You Never Knew
t can be totally intimidating as a newbie climber when you realize you have no idea what your climbing partner(s) or instructor is talking about when they tell you to “use your bashies before you attach the quickdraw!” The more you learn (and the faster) the better it is. Here’s our best to get you started quickly! Please keep in …
SOG Seal Team Elite Survival Knife – Review
The SOG Seal Team Elite is a bada$$-looking knife that just makes me want to play with it like a schoolboy and fidget spinner (yes, they were popular in 2017 and 2018 okay!?). It’s a survival knife made by an iconic knife brand in Seattle, WA and it’s designed with undertones of “Bowie” in its design. Let’s unpack this beauty …