Although I use hiking and backpacking to try to escape technology, I have had to incorporate it into my adventures, probably more than I would care to admit. On most of my adventures, I have a phone, satellite communicator, Garmin watch, headlamp, spare camera batteries, and even a mini sleeping…

Contained within 40,000 acres of old forest, nestled along the rugged ridges of an ancient escarpment, sits Indiana’s longest footpath, the Knobstone Trail (KT). This wooded roller coaster of a hike is 58 miles long with over 9,000 ft of elevation gain. It has gained in popularity over recent years…

Whether I am going on a long-distance hike or a weekend camping trip with the family, the first thing I always research is permits, more specifically, camping permits. Planning an outdoor adventure for months, only to have to resort to a backup plan due to the inability to secure a…

While traversing the backcountry, a well-made headlamp is an essential piece of gear. On each multi-day adventure I’ve ever done, I have used a headlamp. It is one of my most-used items in my pack. Most of the time, I use it for moving about camp after dark, ensuring I…

Well, readers, the summer wind has come and gone. The days grow short, and winter is coming!!! Before going into hibernation and closing the book on 2025, I had to get out for one last adventure. The Mount Pleasant & Cole Mountain Loop is one of my absolute favorite hikes…