Trail-Tested Guides. No Sponsorships.
Clear, step-by-step trail guides, practical skills, and gear advice based on real experience. I buy my own gear and test it myself.
Trail-Tested Gear
The hiking gear I actually use on the trail. Not sponsored.
Bucket List Hikes
Whitney, Rim-to-Rim, Half Dome, and other must-do hikes.
Navigation & Safety
Learn how to stay safe on the trail and truly enjoy your hikes.
Regional Guides
Find the best hiking trails and guides for your specific area.
Garmin inReach
In-depth reviews and tutorials for Garmin satellite messengers.
Hiking GPS
Field tests and reviews of the best handheld GPS units.
Recently Updated Guides & Tests
Updates to trail guides, skills, and gear based on real hikes and hands-on testing.
Enduro 3 vs Fenix 8: Which is Better Outdoors?
Guadalupe Peak Hike Guide
Garmin inReach Mini 2 vs Mini 3: Should You Upgrade?
Garmin Fenix 8 Pro Review: LTE and inReach?
Stay in the loop
Get my monthly hiking news with trail closures, permit updates, and gear changes that actually matter. I also publish new trail guides and gear videos on YouTube. If you want to stay in the loop without an algorithm deciding what you see, this is the easiest way to stay connected.
Why trust this site?
Each trail, skills, and gear guide here is written by me, based on real hikes and real-world experience. I focus on the context that “follow-the-line” apps miss so you can plan smart, make safe decisions, use gear that really works, and hike confidently.
