What to Pack for a Hot, Dry Hike When Shade Is Limited
A field-focused gear checklist for sun exposure, heat management, water carrying, dust, navigation, and an early exit.
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Uphill Both Ways
Practical hiking guidance, honest gear advice, and field-ready trail knowledge for handling steep climbs, changing weather, and everything that rarely goes according to plan.
Ryan CallowayRyan Calloway is an enthusiastic hiker who believes every steep climb is worth it—although he reserves the right to complain on the way up. He writes practical trail guides, gear advice, and honest accounts of wrong turns, unexpected weather, and the small victories that make hiking memorable.
Recent articles
View archiveWhat to Expect on a Rocky Ridge Trail in Shoulder Season
A beginner-friendly, conditions-based guide to loose rock, mud, wind, lingering ice, and changing daylight on moderate rocky ridge trails during shoulder season.
Read articleThe Six Questions to Answer Before Hiking a Trail in a National Park
A practical six-question checklist for preparing to hike in a U.S. national park, covering permits, reservations, closures, transportation, wildlife rules, weather, and emergency communication.
Read articleRain Shell or Soft Shell: Which One Fits Your Hike?
A practical comparison based on precipitation, wind, exertion, durability, ventilation, layering, and the cost of carrying both.
Read articlePlanning a Winter Day Hike Around the Shortest Part of the Day
A practical guide to planning winter day hikes when daylight is limited, with a focus on calculating usable light, allowing for slower snow travel, checking equipment, and recovering from delays without turning a short outing into a night hike.
Read articleHow to Read a Trail Description Before You Commit to the Route
A beginner-friendly method for turning trail distance, elevation gain, terrain notes, and daylight into a realistic hiking plan before you spend time and resources getting to the trailhead.
Read articleHow to Plan a One-Way Hike Without Creating a Transportation Problem
A practical field procedure for planning one-way hikes, coordinating shuttles, building realistic timing buffers, and recovering when transportation plans fail.
Read articleHow to Choose a Backpack Size for Day Hikes and Overnight Trips
A practical guide to choosing backpack capacity, torso fit, frame support, and load stability for day hikes and overnight trips—without buying more pack than you need.
Read articleHow to Build a Hiking Itinerary Someone Else Can Actually Use
A practical guide to creating a hiking itinerary that another person can quickly understand, including route details, timing, vehicle location, contingencies, and a clear overdue plan.
Read articleA First-Timer’s Guide to Choosing a Safe Day Hike Near a City
A practical first-timer’s guide to comparing city-adjacent day hikes by access, exposure, navigation complexity, cell coverage, water, and exit options—while favoring routes and information you can rely on.
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