Technique

PSA: How Long Does Trash Last on the Trail?
Many people don’t know how long it takes natural items to decompose, assuming that whatever biological matter they discard will break down quickly. But many of our most common scraps take an astonishing amount of time to fully disintegrate…


How Windy is Too Windy To Hike?
I moved my hike from a windy Friday to a less windy (but much colder) Saturday. 80% of my online followers agreed with me. Here’s why.

Catskill 3500 Trail Conditions Google Spreadsheet
For current trail conditions, this shared Google spreadsheet is a great resource to check before (and after) your next Catskill 3500 hike.

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…

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.

Catskill 3500 High Peaks List | Ultimate Peakbagging Guide
The most efficient way to climb all 35 Classic Catskills High Peaks is to do as many of them in groups as possible. These lists of pairs and triplets combine the Catskills in their most common groupings. Minimize your travel. Maximize your peak-bagging!

How Long Will My Hike Take?
One of the simplest things you need to know about any hike is: how long will it take? Knowing a planned hike’s duration is crucial to being able to figure out what to bring in terms of safety supplies, water and food.