Shenandoah 52/52 Hiking Project

It's daylight savings. Ever wonder what time the sun rises and sets? There is an app for that.

Trailhack#109: Hiking during the Golden Hour and the Blue Hour, Not Just for Photographers Day light can play an important role in outdoor adventures. Take a page out of the pho playbook to learn about the Golden Hour.

Going out with Fido - these are our MUST-HAVE's.

Hiking with Your Dog - MUST HAVE'S for the Trail: What's in the backpack, what's in the truck? If you're like us, the dog is an important part of your adventures. And hiking with the dog raises the question of what you need.

Did someone say camping season?!?!? It's just about that time. Probably a good time to grab a reservation in the National Park or even one of your favorite state parks.

The Camping and Overland Checklist: Check Out a Few of Our Suggestions You're planning to get outside and you don't know where to start ... let our Camping and Overland Checklist provide you a starting point.

Oh boy, insurance for going outside? Depends on where you go and what you expect to do, perhaps it's not the worst idea in the world to have a plan that covers the cost of an emergency.

[UPDATED] Garmin SAR / Search and Rescue Insurance (Previously GEOS): What is it? Why Do I Need It? Search and Rescue operations are costly if you find yourself in a hairy situation. Asking the questions if you need insurance is a start.

Yep, we've all been there. Navigating and you lose cellular coverage. That mobile device is about as useful as using a fishing net as an umbrella.

NO CELL COVERAGE ... Make Sure to Download 'Offline Maps' - What Are They and Why Do I Need Them? You're venturing out into the backcountry, you're unsure if there will be cellular/cell coverage and you have no clue how to read a paper map. What do you do? Your answer: Offline Maps. What is an 'Offline Map'? Why Do I Need 'Offline Maps'? An Offline Map is essentially the necessary map (and infor...

In my defense, f***y packs are back in style. This means the Mindshift Rotation 180 22L that's part backpack, part f***y pack is trail stylish. 😂😂😂

Gear Review: Hiking and Photography Backpack or Hip Pack — or Both! … The Mindshift Rotation 180 This Mindshift Rotation 180 has storage and organization all-in-one. It's a backpack and a hip pack. Hiker or photographer, it's amazing.

That darn dog?! Mud on the seats again. A giant dusty paw track into the back seat after Fido jumps in the car. Never fear - get a MudBuster.

The MUST HAVE for Hiking with Your Dog: MudBuster Dog Dirty Paw Cleaner Your dog has its own weapon of destruction when you get off the trail — their dirty paws on your car seats. Get a MudBuster paw cleaner…

The '15' Thing's that you'll appreciate on the trail. Either you're new or you're not, there is probably something for you here. Maps, navigation, blaze, shoes - we got you.

Hiking for Beginners (and Everyone Else): The '15' Basics for Your Outdoor Adventure on the Trail You're about to do your first big hike. Check out our suggestions for '15' hiking basics with links to detailed information and resources.

Being wet outside pretty much ruins a trek. Let's be honest, most times going outside with even the slightest chance of rain or snow put the kibosh on adventuring. But maybe that doesn't have to be the case.

Hiking in the Rain (or Snow) — No Need to Get (Too) Wet, Here's Why... There is no reason that inclement weather should be a drag on getting outdoors. With just a few additions, you can be equipped...

I thought Crocs were "out," apparently they're not. But what is, water bladders. Ditch the water bladder. Get a Hardside Hydration swig rig. Hardside Hydration

Trailhack#108: Ditch the Water Bladder. Get a Nalgene + Hardside Hydration. Water bladders are difficult to clean, they taste like plastic, and even harder to dry. We’re here to evangelize the use of water bottles.

Oh boy, this is a National Park, wait no, a State Forest?! Do I get a decoder ring to figure out what type of land this is. Seriously Uncle Sam. I love ya for creating all these, but what's the difference...

Types of Public Lands for Hiking, Photography, and Your Dog: National/State Parks & Forest, BLM, WMA The world is your oyster when it comes to public land. Trout Unlimited put it best - Best. Idea. Ever. So many options to explore, let's go!

Cold in the morning, warm in the afternoon. Freezing to start, sweating to end. Yeah, we've been there. You're not alone.

Winter Jackets: The Thresholds for the Jackets We're Outfitted With The fall and winter seasons can bring a confusing time for outerwear. The right jacket can make or break an outdoor adventure.

Taking Fido with you on a Hike? It's always fun or perhaps you need thoughts and prayers sent your way. We feel you. Here are a few suggestions for taking Fido on the trails.

Hiking with Dogs: Thoughts on Preparedness & Gear Hitting the trail with just yourself is a task unto itself. Add fido and we think that you’re working with a whole different ball of wax.

Brrrr. It's that time of year for cooler temps and frozen fingers. It's a good idea to take a proactive approach to warmth. If you do it right, you'll get outside more.

Trailhack#106: Outdoor Adventures - Dressing in Layers for Hiking and Trail Photography When the cold fronts move in and the earth tilts away from the sun, keeping warm becomes important enjoying outdoor adventures.

Lost? No, no. You're not lost, you're just Exploring. Or maybe you need help. Just a few resources on - (1) Trail Hacking, (2) Elimination Mapping, and (2) Digital Map Wandering. And yeah, those are coined, but actually fairly accurate.

[UPDATED] TrailHack#101: Mapping - Finding Trails on Your Own and Apps to ‘Lifehack’ Your Adventures Where do you go for your ‘trail insipration’? Perhaps All Trails, maybe Google Maps, or even word of Mouth. With so many tools available for the outdoor adventurer, it’s easy to get stuck in the ‘what’s available’ and it’s harder to find what’s right for you. Not all adventures need ...

Always a beautiful scene to see winter in the park. Follow the Shenandoah National Park page closely for closures and be careful out there.

Skyline Drive is covered in a layer of snow, sleet, and ice. It will remain closed until it is cleared and safe to open.

Remember, the Drive is still closed to all access (pedestrians, bicycles, horses, and vehicles) from mile 65.5 to mile 105 due to hazardous tree removal operations. Other sections of the Drive can be accessed by non-vehicular traffic only.

Image: Mile 65 of Skyline Drive enclosed with fog. The roadway is covered in a layer of snow, sleet, and ice.

Hey Paul Bunyan ... you really need that saw?! Depends. However, if it's been stormy lately and you feel comfortable you're educated on how to use it, maybe it's not the worst idea to be like the American Folk Hero, super laborer extraordinaire...

Do You Really Need a Saw on the Trail? What are you, Paul Bunyan... Strapped to my backpack is a Silky BIGBOY 2000 Folding Saw (silkysaws.com) ready to go when we head out...are you Paul Bunyan?!