Should Youth Programs Include All Genders? Outdoor Organizations Weigh In. Aer Parris|July 30, 2018 Ahead of the Scouts BSA launch, we were curious about the benefits and limitations of both all-gender and single-gender groups of young people exploring the outdoors. So, we talked with other outdoor organizations to find out more. Unsurprisingly, we got a variety of answers.
Meet 8 Southbound PCT Thru-Hikers Aer Parris|July 30, 2018 In 2013, the Pacific Crest Trail Association issued 53 southbound permits. In 2014 they issued 430. This year, they’re expecting several hundred SOBO thru-hikers. So who are these rare hikers? We hit the trail to find out.
The Coolest New Trail Gear We Found at Outdoor Retailer Jess Daddio|July 27, 2018 Whether you're aiming for a fastest known time (FKT) or taking your baby on a hike, you'll appreciate these new trail-oriented pieces of gear from the Summer Outdoor Retailer show.
Group Thru-Hikes 210-mile Chicago Outerbelt Trail for the First Time Seth Putnam|July 26, 2018 For years, a connected thru-trail around Chicago lived only in the imaginations of outdoor enthusiasts. But the dream is now reality, thanks to the Outerbelt Alliance.
Tips for Backpacking With Your Dog Ashley Brown|July 26, 2018 Some of the best hiking companions have four legs. Dogs and backpacking can go together like peas and carrots—assuming you take some steps to assure both you and your furry friend are prepared for the backcountry. Follow these tips to help ensure both you and they enjoy a lifetime of excursions under the stars.
Best-Selling Outdoor Gear in 2018 (so far) Aer Parris|July 16, 2018 We’re pretty obsessed with gear—and have been for the past 80 years. And if you’re here, that means you’re also probably pretty obsessed. We’re bringing you the top purchased products across every category for the first half of 2018. If your fellow outdoorspeople think this stuff is good, we bet you will too.
How to Plan a Hike for the Whole Family Shanti Hodges|July 13, 2018 Want to plan the perfect hike for the whole family? Ask yourself the following questions to set yourself up for success: Who is in your family? What makes hiking satisfying for you? What trails do you have access to? And what does your gear look like?
North Carolina’s Ginseng Lottery Has Begun Graham Averill|July 13, 2018 A common ingredient in your favorite energy drink grows wild in the mountains of North Carolina, and it’s worth so much, you have to win a lottery in order to harvest it legally. Pisgah and Nantahala National Forests have opened their annual lottery for permits to harvest wild American ginseng.
There’s No Such Thing As a Perfect Hike Matt Crossman|July 13, 2018 We all have great expectations when we set out on a hike. We go in with preconceived notions and come out disappointed when they aren’t met. But I’ve noticed a strange trend in my hiking life: Some hikes have a way of becoming retroactively better than I had ever hoped.
Our Best Gear, According to Hyperenthusiastic Reviewers Aer Parris|July 12, 2018 Here at the co-op, we review tons of products. Some of our reviews are produced by in-house teams and subject-matter experts. Other times, we turn to you—the customer—to provide feedback. Here's a roundup of some summer 2018 customer favorites, based on extra enthusiastic reviews.
This REI Instructor Teaches Outdoor Classes in American Sign Language Shelby Carpenter|July 2, 2018 Outdoor School instructor Diedre Tanenberg grew up on the West Coast, where she acquired a passion for pushing herself outside, primarily through camping and whitewater rafting. There’s one thing that makes her classes unique: Tanenberg, who is deaf, teaches her courses in American Sign Language (ASL).
What’s the Difference Between an External Frame Pack and an Internal Frame Pack? Ken Knapp|July 2, 2018 External frame packs look very different from internal frame packs. Learn the pros and cons of each design so you can decide which is right for you.