mountain peaks

It’s Official: Adirondacks 23% Harder Than Catskills

I thought it’d be cute to quantify exactly how much more difficult the Adirondacks are over the Catskills. Do we need this information? No. Does this information feel important? Yes.

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fresh shoes on feet, and sour shoes and socks to the side

10 Best Post-Hike Hacks

One of my favorite post-hike hacks is to have a clean pair of socks and shoes waiting for me back at the car. It’s so amazing. Here are ten fantastic ways to treat yourself after a big day.

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small library of hiking books

Best Hiking Books for Hikers

These are the best hiking books I’ve found to date. Many were instrumental in getting me started, and giving me the confidence to hike the wilderness solo.

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three bug repellent products

Best Bug Spray & Bug Repellent

This three-tiered best bug spray system keeps me (mostly!) bite free in New York’s backcountry every season

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screenshot of hiking gear products

Hiking & Camping Gear List

There’s so much to read and learn about hiking gear. Here’s a basic list of the things you’ll use most often on your day hikes and campouts.

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red snowshoes stacked on wooden floor

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.

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standing desk with hiking gear storage underneath

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.

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discarded orange peel sitting on snowy ground

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…

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blue plastic brush cleaning dirt off bottom of dirty hiking hoot

Leave No Trace at the Trailhead

Step up your LNT game with this simple post-hike trick.

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google doc screenshot of spreadsheet

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.

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twin mountain scenic view labelled

Peakbagging the Catskill 3500 High Peaks (Ultimate Guide)

The most efficient way to climb the 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!

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Red Blaze on the Devil’s Path

Hiking Pace Formula

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.

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