The best defense against tick-borne disease is a good offense. Here’s how to avoid ticks in the first place. 1. Treat Your Shoes and Clothes with Permethrin Ticks die quickly when they come into contact with…
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The Right Time to Bail: Outdoor Safety Tips Every Hiker Should Know
On a freezing night in early May, a search and rescue crew set off into a squall on a high-stakes mission: a 63-year-old man had vanished somewhere near Franconia Ridge. He’d been missing for three...
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Tent footprints are cut to precisely match a tent’s floor dimensions. When placed underneath the tent, they provide protection from abrasion, moisture, and general wear-and-tear and are generally recommended when a few extra ounces aren’t…
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Let’s face it: Sometimes kids just don’t want to hike. They may be tired; the hill might be steep; the weather may be hot. Remember that, for kids, hiking can be hard work and downright…
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Every winter, temperatures plummet in the Northeast, with lows in the single digits or even below zero across much of the region. All that bitter air doesn’t mean that you have to stay inside—it just…
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In the event of a backcountry emergency—such as a debilitating injury, unexpected night out, or severe weather event—a simple lightweight tarp can provide crucial protection from the elements, if you know how to use it….
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Got a bike? What about the right tires for your ride? Understanding the basics of tire sizing, tread selection, and a few other common features will help you choose wisely when it comes time to…
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A trusted knot in a backpacker’s repertoire, the taut-line hitch is hard to forget and a lot easier to learn than the trucker’s hitch. The taut-line is so named for its adjustability, slipping when loose…
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I’ve long admired the sinuous grace of telemark skiing. If you’ve ever watched skiers make their way downhill as you rode up a chairlift, you know exactly what I mean. Even the best alpine skiers…
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The black bear population is exploding in New England, particularly in Vermont and Massachusetts. As a recent article in the Boston Globe recounts, the number of bears in Vermont has doubled over the past two…
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