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What’s in our Day Hiking Backpacks (2023 Edition)
When I first got interested in hiking and backpacking after moving back to Montana, I opened up Backpacker Magazine and started creating a list of items I needed to purchase to explore the great outdoors. Unfortunately, I ended up with boots that gave me blisters and hurt my feet, a tent that was too heavy, […]
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The “The Goldilocks Approach” to Hiking Training
Finding an optimal amount of training that will safely and effectively support your hiking and fitness related goals.
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PAIN… a “Four-letter Word” that Does’t Belong on the Trail.
Pain. We’ve all experienced it to some degree, whether an all-out debilitating pain that sidelines you, or a nagging day-to-day discomfort that just keeps showing up. Needless to say it’s not desirable, and it definitely doesn’t enhance one’s experience on the trail. Do you suffer with knee pain or back discomfort on the trail? You […]
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Apgar Lookout – Spring 2023
The forecast called for a sunny, bluebird day in the high 40s, so we packed up and decided to see how far up the Apgar Lookout Trail in Glacier National Park that we could get. Imagine our delight when we realized that there was a decent boot pack all the way to the summit and […]
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“Spring” into Training
While the winter snowpack has yet to give way to dirt trails, green grass, or wildflowers (at least in NW Montana), springtime is still a wonderful time to get out and put some training miles and elevation on your legs. If you have summer plans that involve hiking, I’d encourage you to harness the excitement […]
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Wearable Fitness Trackers – They’re more than a step or calorie counter!
A heart rate monitor (HRM)/fitness tracker can be a beneficial piece of exercise equipment that not only measures your cardiorespiratory fitness level, but also helps guide your workouts and allows you to train smarter. Wearable fitness trackers have come a long way since the basic step-counters (pedometer). Now, these devices commonly have features such as: […]
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Cardiorespiratory Fitness: Aerobic Training
This blog is part of a series of posts discussing various components of hiking fitness. If you haven’t already, you’ll want to check out the previous blogs The Importance of Strength Training , Restoring Proper Muscle Activation, The Importance of Core Stability, and Mobility Training. February is American Heart Month, and it’s a time to bring awareness to the […]
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Hiking Fitness: Mobility Training
MOVE + FEEL + ADVENTURE… BETTER This blog is part of a series of posts discussing various components of hiking fitness. If you haven’t already, you’ll want to check out the previous blogs The Importance of Strength Training , Restoring Proper Muscle Activation, and The Importance of Core Stability. Mobility Training Mobility training is essentially “joint training” to […]
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Hiking Fitness: The Importance of Core Stability
This blog is part of a series of posts discussing various components of hiking fitness. If you haven’t already, you’ll want to checkout the previous blogs The Importance of Strength Training and Restoring Proper Muscle Activation. Being well prepared for the trail involves more than good cardiorespiratory fitness and leg muscle endurance. An often overlooked […]
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Half Dome, Vernal Fall, and Nevada Fall
The hike up to Half Dome in Yosemite National Park is pretty hard to beat. You have two unbelievable waterfalls, loads of habitat types, incredible views, the unique experience of the cables up the granite dome of Half Dome, and the opportunity to stand on a national park icon with sweeping views. ** Note that […]
