#Optoutside is how individuals should be spending their time. However, those Christmas stockings do not fill themselves. While finding the best outdoor gear gifts, please consider shopping at a local outdoor retailer. Your local outdoor shop, like the Mountain Chalet in…
Outdoors California is a treasure trove with coastal mountains, redwoods, the Sierra/Cascades, and the desert. People often drive past the Central California on their way to somewhere else. Pinnacles National Park, about 30 miles South of Hollister, is an excellent…
Life has been especially busy recently with family and work. This Thursday night and Friday, I’m planning a 24 hour adventure to a California National Park. My original plan was to leave Thursday night, summit an objective on Friday, and return…
Mexico City has the best high mountain access in North America. Three volcanoes over 15,000’ lie within 50 miles of Mexico City: 1) Nevado de Toluca at 15,390 feet, 2) Iztaccihuatl (Ixta) at 17,159’, and 3) Popocatepetl (Popo) at 17,887 feet. Orizaba,…
REI Let’s Camp, glamping, & other campaigns are increasing the popularity of camping & backpacking. With more parks using quotas, the campaigns are also increasing the popularity of backcountry reservations. Obtaining a coveted site can take planning and a little luck,…
A world class wildlife spectacle is taking place near Half Moon Bay (only 15 miles south of San Francisco). Anchovies are schooling immediately south of Pillar Point Harbor. Humpback whales, pelicans, & other birds are feasting on the schools…
For Earth Day 2016, WoolX, the softest Merino Wool, invited me to write a blog post about the best ways to volunteer in the outdoors. In the spirit of thinking globally, acting locally, five ways to give back to the outdoors…
Volunteering for the parks can take many forms. With more real life responsibilities (kids, family, job), my volunteering has evolved. The Trail Center is an all volunteer group that helps builds and maintains trails in the Bay Area. I continue to support…
Here’s my favorite hiking partner sharing his thoughts on the San Mateo County Parks. This Coyote Point Recreation Area video will be part of an upcoming campaign for the SMCP and the SMCP Foundation. In the meantime, enjoy the video…
How can families safely explore the backcountry in winter when poor weather can transform an adventure into a survival situation? Visiting warm spots like the CA coast is one solution. Another approach is reserving a backcountry National Park or Forest…