Pursuit
Hiking
Day miles on trail — footwear, pacing, navigation, and route choice.
About hiking
Hiking is the front door to every other pursuit on this site. Get the footwear, pacing, and navigation right and a day on trail stays fun in weather that would end a poorly planned outing.
Season: Year-round; shoulder seasons demand traction and layers.
Learn these first
- Read a topo map and estimate time with Naismith's rule
- Set a sustainable pace you can hold for hours, not minutes
- Manage layers before you sweat, not after
- Foot care: lacing, sock systems, and taping a hot spot early
Kit that matters
- Trail runners or light boots that fit with your hiking socks
- 1–2 L water plus a filter on longer loops
- Wind shell, insulating layer, headlamp, first-aid basics
- Paper map and compass with a phone as the backup, not the plan
Honest hazard notes
- Late starts — most benightings are pace and daylight math failures
- Cotton layers in wind-driven rain
- Descents cause more injuries than climbs; save something for the way down
Plan a hiking trip
Hiking reading
Blood Trailing and Game Recovery: Slow Down, Mark Evidence, and Stay Legal
Game recovery is a disciplined investigation. The hunter should mark the shot location, last known position, animal reaction, direction of travel, and every reliable sign. Rushing can push a wounded animal farther, destroy evidence, and cre
Trail Running Safety: Pace, Water, Weather, and the Turnaround
Trail running compresses distance and decision time. A runner can move quickly beyond easy help, overheat before noticing, or reach exposed terrain as weather changes. Safety comes from route knowledge, appropriate pace, water and food, foo
A Field Guide to Trail Running in Bear Country
Learn trail running bear safety through a practical sequence, common failure points, a controlled field drill, gear notes, and the safety checks that should happen before a real wildlife safety trip.
Improve Trail Running in Bear Country With a Practical Training Plan
Learn trail running in bear country mistakes through a practical sequence, common failure points, a controlled field drill, gear notes, and the safety checks that should happen before a real wildlife safety trip.
How to Hike More Safely in Bear Country: A Practical Wildlife Safety Guide
Learn hiking in bear country through a practical sequence, common failure points, a controlled field drill, gear notes, and the safety checks that should happen before a real wildlife safety trip.
Why Hiking in Bear Country Goes Wrong—and How to Fix It
Learn hiking in bear country mistakes through a practical sequence, common failure points, a controlled field drill, gear notes, and the safety checks that should happen before a real wildlife safety trip.
Why Lost Hiker Plan Goes Wrong—and How to Fix It
Learn lost hiker plan mistakes through a practical sequence, common failure points, a controlled field drill, gear notes, and the safety checks that should happen before a real survival trip.
Ethical Recovery and Blood Trailing for Beginners: A Step-by-Step Field Guide
Learn blood trailing basics through a practical sequence, common failure points, a controlled field drill, gear notes, and the safety checks that should happen before a real hunting trip.
A Field Guide to Trail Navigation
Learn backpacking navigation through a practical sequence, common failure points, a controlled field drill, gear notes, and the safety checks that should happen before a real backpacking trip.
Hiking FAQ
How many miles is a reasonable first day hike?
Six to eight miles with under 1,500 feet of gain is a solid first target for most fit adults. Add distance before you add vertical.
Boots or trail runners?
Trail runners for maintained trail and light packs; boots when you're carrying over about 30 pounds, moving on scree, or expecting sustained wet cold.