All articles
Everything we've published — guides, gear reviews, recipes, and field notes from the outdoors.
A first-timer's plan for hiking: a ten-item gear list, how to pick an easy 2-4 mile trail, step-by-step prep for your first outing, trail etiquette, quick fixes for blisters and fatigue, and a four-week progression to make it a habit.
How to plan short, low-cost adventures near home using the 5-C framework, with three ready-to-try ideas—a backyard bivvy, a night in the local woods, and a wild swim—plus safety and Leave No Trace basics.
Practical techniques for shooting wildlife and nature with a phone or basic camera: reading light, composition rules, focus and exposure settings, and workflows for birds in action, landscapes, and macro subjects.
How to dehydrate fresh, frozen, or canned peaches: prep and an anti-browning lemon soak, drying at 135°F for 8-12 hours, the doneness test, a week of conditioning before storage, plus troubleshooting and ways to use the finished fruit.
A slow cooker peach butter recipe spiced with cinnamon, ginger, and vanilla, plus full water bath canning steps, storage guidance, and serving ideas from biscuits to grilled pork chops.
Step-by-step peach syrup canning recipe—about five pint jars from four pounds of peaches—with optional cardamom, vanilla, or cinnamon and ways to use it in iced tea, cocktails, and sodas.
What Oregon's expanded Waterway Access Permit means for paddlers in 2026: HB 2982 now requires permits for all non-motorized craft, including kayaks and SUPs under 10 feet—fees, exemptions, fines, and how to stay compliant.
Flood preparedness guide written amid the deadly July 2025 Texas floods: understanding flash flood and dam-failure risks, building kits and family evacuation plans, protecting pets and livestock, safety rules during a flood, and recovering through NFIP, FEMA, and USDA aid.
Meet Yomp the Bigfoot, Grizzle the Bear, and the rest of the Forest Crew—illustrated characters created to rally opposition to proposed public land sell-offs and remind us why wild places are worth defending.
Breaks down the 2025 Senate reconciliation bill mandating the sale of 1.3-1.9 million acres of BLM and Forest Service land across 11 western states, fact-checks viral claims about it, and lists concrete ways to push back — from contacting senators to op-eds.
Campfire fundamentals from site selection and gathering tinder, kindling, and fuel to three build methods—teepee, log cabin, lean-to—plus cooking over coals and fully extinguishing with the soak, stir, and feel method.
A full beginner packing checklist covering shelter, sleep systems, cooking gear, layered clothing, and safety items, with seasonal adjustments, solo vs. family weight comparisons, commonly forgotten items, and tips for packing light.