Confessions From A First-Time Paddler

At the risk of overgeneralizing, it seems as if avid outdoorspeople love every outdoor activity. Sure, we have favorites (mine is trail running), but chances are high that we will attempt and even enjoy other sports (I also like to backpack, swim, climb, cycle). That's why...

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National Summit Day

The Proper Way to Celebrate National Summit Day

Backpacker Magazine's National Summit Day is August 3rd, and we are pumped! An official reason to go outside and play and climb the highest point nearby? Sign us up! What is National Summit Day exactly, you ask? Backpacker Magazine says, "National Summit Day is a...

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The Best Day Hikes on the PCT in Oregon

Let's be real here—very few of us are able to take half a year off to hike the Pacific Crest Trail. Which is when day hikes come in handy! They're great because you can choose any distance based on the amount of time you have...

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What to Do if Snow is Ruining Your Summer Plans

The snow is stubborn this year—it's caused race cancellations (Hardrock 100), caused lots of PCT thru-hikers to choose to hike SOBO, and kept many trails closed. Which isn't necessarily a bad thing! More snow means less wildfire threat, less drought threat, and more time for...

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Do I Summit That Mountain? Tips on Weather

Once summer comes, we get the itch to summit mountains. All the mountains. We make a checklist of 14ers (and 13ers, and basically anything with a summit) at the beginning of the season, then methodically check them off as the weeks progress. Unfortunately, peak-bagging season...

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Backpacking the Elkhorn Crest Trail in Oregon

We are all about finding lesser-known trails in the backcountry. So that's why the Elkhorn Crest Trail in Oregon is high on our to-hike like this summer. With views, granite peaks, cirque lakes, mountain goats, and generally excellent mountain scenery, we're unsure why the Elkhorn...

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The Best Run We’ve Ever Had. Ever.

Take a group of dogs out of an animal shelter, add in some very excited runners, sprinkle it with some great new products, and you get the best event I have ever attended at Outdoor Retailer and the best run I have ever had. Ruffwear partnered...

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