The Minimalist Gear List for a Short Hike With Uncertain Weather
I’ll show you how to choose a compact hiking kit that covers cold, rain, navigation, and delays without turning a short outing into an overloaded pack.
Read articleIndependent field notes
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 archiveThe First Ten Minutes After Someone in Your Group Is Injured
I’ll clarify what matters most in the first ten minutes after a hiking injury: secure the scene, identify life threats, assign clear tasks, communicate useful details, and avoid creating a second casualty.
Read articleThe First Aid Kit You Will Actually Use on a Day Hike
I’ll help you choose a compact day-hike first aid kit by matching supplies to common trail problems, your route, and your skills—so every item earns its place in your pack.
Read articleThe Decision Threshold for Leaving an Injured Hiker Alone
I’ll explain how to decide whether an injured hiker can be left briefly, how group size and communication change the calculation, and when keeping someone with the patient is the only responsible option.
Read articleThe Best Way to Store Wet Gear Before the Drive Home
Wet gear can either be contained neatly for the drive home or left to steam in a closed vehicle. I’ll show you how to separate damp items, protect electronics, and start drying everything without shortening its useful life.
Read articleThe Best Way to Pack a Daypack for Frequent Stops
A tightly packed daypack can slow you down when every stop becomes a search, while a loosely packed one wastes space and protection. I’ll show you how to place frequent-use items where you can reach them quickly without compromising balance or safety.
Read articleThe Backup Plan for a Hike With a Weather-Sensitive Summit
I’ll explain how to build a useful backup for a weather-sensitive summit, from choosing a lower route and setting a forecast cutoff to defining the conditions that make changing plans the smart way to save the day.
Read articleSpring Mud Season: When a Trail Is Too Wet to Hike
I'll explain how to read mud-season warning signs, judge whether a wet trail is merely uncomfortable or at risk of damage, and choose a safer, lower-impact alternative.
Read articleSimple Trail Food for Hikes With No Cooking and No Cooler
I’ll clarify which no-cook foods stay dependable without a cooler, how heat changes your choices, and how to build a low-cost hiking menu that avoids leaks, waste, and the familiar problem of packing food you no longer want to eat.
Read articleA Shoulder-Season Checklist for Trails That Alternate Mud and Ice
I’ll help you avoid the common mistake of treating a shoulder-season trail like one consistent surface. You’ll learn how to choose footwear, protect muddy sections, and make a sensible turnaround decision when ice, thawing ground, and weather change within a short stretch.
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