How Thick Does Ice Need to Be? Ice Fishing Safety By the Numbers
Clear, fresh ice has real strength numbers — four inches for walking, five for a sled, eight-plus for light vehicles. Here's the full chart, plus why one number is never enough.
All articles
Guides, gear, and stories
Everything we've published — guides, gear reviews, recipes, and field notes from the outdoors.
How to Book a Campsite: The Ultimate Guide to Campground Reservations
Walkthrough of reserving a campsite on Recreation.gov, ReserveAmerica, Hipcamp, and state platforms — when booking windows open, how to catch cancellations, first-come-first-served tactics, and what to check before you arrive.
How to Camp for Free: Proven Ways to Find Zero-Cost Campsites
Where to camp for free legally: dispersed sites on BLM and Forest Service land, apps like iOverlander and FreeCampsites.net, reservoirs and trailheads, wildlife management areas, and overnight parking lots — plus a safety checklist.
How to Dehydrate Peaches (Fresh, Frozen, or Canned)
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.
How to Draw a Fish: Easy Steps for Beginners, Kids, and Nature Sketchers
Learn how to draw fish from simple ovals and cartoon outlines to believable species sketches: body shape, fin placement, scales, shading, and quick tricks for kids, beginners, and nature journaling by the water.
How to Layer Clothing for Winter and Shoulder-Season Hiking
A four-layer system for winter and shoulder-season hiking — base, active mid, wind, and puffy/shell — built around moisture control, with budget, mid-range, and premium gear picks at each tier and the layering mistakes to avoid.
How to Make a Campfire: A Step-by-Step Guide
Build a campfire that lights on the first match: prep the site, stage tinder through fuel wood, light it low, feed it steadily, and put it out cold — plus how to check fire bans before you strike anything.
How to Make Peach Butter (With Canning Instructions)
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.
How to Make Peach Syrup for Tea, Cocktails & Canning
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.
How to Plan a Micro‑Adventure Close to Home
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.
How to Read a River for Summer Steelhead
Learn to spot summer steelhead water — seams, tailouts, soft edges, and the classic lies where fish rest — so you stop walking past them.
How to Set Up and Use Your Garmin inReach Mini 2 for a Safe Outdoor Adventure
A seven-step setup guide for the Garmin inReach Mini 2: charging, choosing a subscription plan, pairing with your phone, messaging, MapShare location sharing, pre-trip testing, and navigating back with TracBack.