Gear
Mountain Hiking Gear
Modern hiking gear is a fantastic mix of old and new — compasses & GPS devices, knives & smartphones, wool socks & space blankets. A backpack full of cool hiking gear is one of my favorite things about mountain hiking.
Snowshoe Basics
The number of snowshoe options is overwhelming. Here’s a quick guide on what to look for, and where to get your first pair.
Storage Bins for Hiking Gear
I sorted my growing jumble of hiking gear as a fun weekend project. With all my regular hike gear in a single box, I don’t have to worry I’m overlooking or forgetting anything. I spend less time preparing — which means more time doing.
Winter Day-Hike Essentials Checklist
Download this helpful PDF with explanatory notes and a handy winter day-hike essentials checklist.
Wallpapers 01 – Catskills Summits
Please enjoy this collection of Catskills wallpapers for your desktop computer. This set contains 16 images of Catskills summits.
Microspikes & Trail Crampons – Winter Traction
This short post discusses the basic differences between cleats, microspikes, trail crampons, crampons, and snowshoes — and describes the safety benefits of each.
PSA: How to Buy a Hiking Headlamp
For hikers and campers, headlamps are essential pieces of gear. Whether you’re hiking out at dusk after a long day, or hiking in, in the pitch dark for a glorious summit sunrise, a headlamp will keep you on track and safe.
When Does Hiking Season End in the Catskills?
Learn how to extend your hiking into the fourth — and greatest! — hiking season. Catskills hiking never ends…
Backcountry Camping in the Catskills: A Beginner’s Guide
If you want to camp out in the Catskills backcountry, it’s probably because you want to experience the wilderness on your own terms. This comprehensive list of resources, regulations and gear will help get you ready for your first Catskills campout.
40+ Tips to Capture the Perfect Sunrise or Sunset Photo
Dawn and dusk: there’s no better time of day to shoot landscapes than when the sun is low on the horizon. Here’s everything you need to know to plan, prepare, and pull off the perfect sunrise photo shoot.
PSA: Dog Days of Summer — How to Hike Your Dog Safely When It’s Hot & Humid
From springtime on, temperatures and humidity can spike, but July & August bring heat indices that regularly shoot past safe limits for our canine companions. Mountain hikes are much harder, and much longer, than regular walks. All of this presents an elevated risk for dogs.
Upgrade: More Backpack, More Fun
I switched my backpack from a 34 liter model that’s great for day hikes to a 65 liter model that’s more suited to overnights. I’m really happy with the upgrade.
The Best Hiking Apps Right Now
The best hiking apps broken into four categories: navigation/planning, field identification, photography, and fun. Whether you enjoy easy scenic trails or challenging mountain hikes, these apps will help you plan, plot and prepare for your next adventure.
Winter Hiking Gear: Survive & Thrive in the Cold
Winter mountain hiking in the Catskills is spectacular. Snow-blasted forests, bleached valley views, and bright blue skies. The days are shorter, the nights are longer — and the temperature is lethal. Make sure you have the best winter hiking gear and know how to use it.
Winter Gear: Neck Gaiter / Buff
Sometimes small tweaks yield big benefits, and that’s exactly what wearing a neck gaiter does.
What to Pack: The Ten Essentials
The ten essentials is a list of items you should carry on every trip into the backcountry. This essential gear can keep you safe and on track. In an emergency, it might save your life.
Backpack Basics
Your backpack is a fundamental and very personal choice. There are lots of excellent brands to choose from. Take your time. Do the research. I started with a small, cheap, generic pack but, very quickly, my needs outgrew it…
