Find an old trail on a map or even stumble upon it? That's a Ghost Trail. And it is an interesting way to walk a little bit of forgotten outdoor history. Read More ...

Continue reading Ghost Trails at PMags.com.

Turning what could have been a difficult day of skiing into a memorable jaunt. Read More ...

Continue reading Off-trail exploring at Brainard Lake at PMags.com.

Bushwhacking may be off-trail. But not all off-trail hiking is bushwhacking. Here's what I think are the differences. Read More ...

Continue reading Off-trail hiking vs. Bushwhacking at PMags.com.

A quick and dirty description of the difference between talus and scree. Read More ...

Continue reading Talus vs. Scree – What is the difference? at PMags.com.

In the latest issue of TrailGroove, I wrote an article about off-trail hiking and reported the news. Lots of other excellent articles as well. Check it out! Read More ...

Continue reading TrailGroove Issue 17 : Off-Trail Delights at PMags.com.

“A man needs a little madness….”  -Nikos Kazantzakis

Saturday Aug 6th was spent doing mundane chores needed for my vastly expanding ‘grown-up’ life:  Oil changes, tires, errands, this and that.  All things I neglected doing the decidedly non-responsible things that make life so much richer (name, spending a week in the Colorado backcountry). But all ‘adult’ things that need to be done no matter how non-fun they are.

I still wanted a hike Sunday, though. Or I should say  NEEDED IT.   When I don’t have my backcountry experience, I get quite cranky and irritable to put it bluntly. More so than in the past.

Perhaps I am starting to recognize I have real responsibilities now (admitting to having a career, starting a life with someone, planning for a future and so on) and have a job that also is a non-stop pace too often. The job situation I hope to  will change at some point (assuming my plans pan out), but for now, I need the escape valve of the backcountry.

Continue reading A Little Madness – Chiquita, Ypsilon and Fay Lakes at PMags.com.