rangers respond to injured hiker in snowy conditions

Rescue on Suicide Mountain in The Catskills

Underscoring the difficulty of hiking Sugarloaf Mountain’s western approach in winter, a hiker was debilitated by an ankle injury, kicking off a complex dozen-Ranger rescue mission.

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Clayton “Peg Leg” Bates performing

A Brief History of Black Excellence in the Catskills

While best known for its iconic landscapes, The Catskills area has also been the site of important and often overlooked stories of Black entrepreneurs, entertainers and vacationers.

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lions head summit marker in taconics

Lion’s Head

The Lion’s Head Trail in Salisbury, CT, is a delightful short hike with great views that you can actually fit into your day.

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two hikers in snowy forest

10 Ways to Be a Better Winter Hiker

Winter hiking can be a wonderful and rewarding experience, but it presents specific challenges. The following tips will help you become a safe and successful winter hiker.

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sunset rock in the taconics, covered in snow and seen at sunset

Sunset Rock Trail (Taconics)

A short rugged, riparian hike to Sunset Rock, a stunning Taconic scenic spot.

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fall view from jay mountain ridge in the adirondracks

Best Hikes of 2022

These are the best hikes I did in 2022 — 17 amazing day-hikes sorted by level of difficulty.

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Hurricane Ledge on Kaaterskill High Peak

Kaaterskill High Peak via Hurricane Ledge

Hiking Kaaterskill High Peak via Hurricane Ledge means a long wet hike in to the base of the summit — but then an epic Catskills climb.

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scenic sunrise view of Kaaterskill High Peak

Quiz: Catskills Scenic Spots

How well do you know your Catskills scenery?

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catskills red barn and sugarloaf mountain seen in the snow

Sugarloaf in Winter (Safest Route)

A beautiful hike to one of the grandest of Catskills high peaks.

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Best Layers for Hikers in GaiaGPS

4 Best Layers for Hikers in GaiaGPS

These are the four layers I use when planning a hike and navigating with GaiaGPS.

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summit selfie

Patreon & WordPress Access: Issues & Fixes

For Patreon subscribers, problems with unlocking content on this website are not common — but they are frustrating. Here are the fixes.

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stone ruins, catskills, Rochester Hollow

Death in Rochester Hollow

The 69-year-old from Clinton Corners was hiking with two friends when he collapsed.

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catskills sunrise/sunset view

Burroughs Range Trail Loop

Incredible two-day hike over the highest and finest terrain in The Catskills.

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Pitch pines

Secret Hike: Gunks in the Cats

A true bushwhack to a surprisingly Gunks-like patch in the heart of The Catskills.

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Best Hikes Scotland and Scottish Highlands

Are These the 46 Best Hikes in Scotland?

It’s up for debate. But not the quality of views on offer.

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