This two part post covers foot care tips for hiking, backpacking and off the trail. Check out Part 1 for pre-hike foot care tips. Topics covered in part two: my journey to finding the right footwear, daily foot prep, foot first aid kit and a list of my favorite foot gear. Our feet can take us wonderful places, but without proper care, they can be a real pain. So let's start with some things I learned the hard way, so hopefully you don't have to!
Treat Your Feet! Foot Care for the Trail: Part 1
This two part post covers hiking and backpacking foot care tips for both on and off the trail. Topics covered: selecting footwear, prepping your feet, checking your gear and my favorite foot gear. Our feet can take us wonderful places, here are a few ways I keep mine happy! Happy hiking!
Hiking Merit Badge 20 Miler | Minneapolis Parks
HIKE DETAILS LENGTH 20 milesDIFFICULTY mostly flat and paved, with dirt options and a few hillsDATE HIKED October 4, 2020MAIN FEATURES Grand Rounds Scenic Byway, Theodore Wirth Park, Chain of Lakes. Start location - 2601 Theodore Wirth Parkway: Sunset Park Last week, some friends and I backpacked the 35ish mile Sioux Hustler Trail in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area. It … Continue reading Hiking Merit Badge 20 Miler | Minneapolis Parks
How to Plan a Hike…and what is a hike anyway?
This week, a friend asked "what's the difference between a walk and a hike?" I've heard this question before, but even now...when things seem to be changing on the daily...the answer is still the same "Well, that's up to you..." When I signed up for my first 52 Hike Challenge, in 2017, my personal definition … Continue reading How to Plan a Hike…and what is a hike anyway?
What’s in My Pack? The 10 Essentials!
The first time I'd heard of the 10 essentials was in our son's Scout Handbook. It was this succinct list of survival items that every Scout should have on outdoor adventures in case of an emergency. Both of our boys assembled their items, and stowed them in their packs (just in case). Eventually, I would … Continue reading What’s in My Pack? The 10 Essentials!
Go Outside! How to Get Out and Stay Out
"GO OUTSIDE WITH THE REST OF THE WILD ANIMALS!!" -Mom Time to Hike! Last month at our "Unpacking Your Hiking Hesitations" Clinic at Midwest Mountaineering, Ruth and I were asked a question: “How do you make time for hiking?” I responded almost automatically: “you make time for the things you love”. But the minute those words … Continue reading Go Outside! How to Get Out and Stay Out
Backcountry Hygiene: How to Pee, Poop and Period Like a Pro!
Now that I've got you with that fantastic title, it's time to talk facts about bodily functions on the trail and how you can keep yourself and the outdoors sparkling clean! I am asked about this topic often (usually in private messages, whispered conversations and in the cover of darkness), so I'm bringing it out … Continue reading Backcountry Hygiene: How to Pee, Poop and Period Like a Pro!
WRFA/CPR/AED-Wilderness First Aid and Rule #1 for Staying Safe in the Wild.
Wilderness and Remote First Aid/CPR/AED certification is 18 hours of intense training packed into two or three days. As a leader of High Adventure Treks with Scouts and as a Women Who Hike Ambassador, I am required to take it every two years. Last weekend was my 4th time going through the course and I … Continue reading WRFA/CPR/AED-Wilderness First Aid and Rule #1 for Staying Safe in the Wild.
Winter Camp, An Annual Holiday Tradition!
A couple of weeks ago I flooded the Wandering Pine Instagram page with snowshoeing photos after the Minnesota Monthly Magazine Feature hoping to make it snow before camp! I'm still waiting for a good old fashioned blizzard to kick off Snowshoeing season as I write this, but that doesn’t mean we can’t have fun outside! … Continue reading Winter Camp, An Annual Holiday Tradition!
Lightweight Backpacking Tips: 5 ways I reduced my pack weight – Including packing list
FUN NEWS! Our Superior hiking Trail adventure is being featured all week as a series on the BSA Instagram page. Volunteering with our son's Boy Scout Troop has provided me with opportunities that have ignited a passion for the outdoors and empowered me to pursue adventure both inside and outside of Scouting activities. I'm grateful … Continue reading Lightweight Backpacking Tips: 5 ways I reduced my pack weight – Including packing list
Part 2: The Mystery of …Forestville | Mystery Caves!
Welcome to part 2 of the Lake Louise/Forestville/Mystery Cave post! Here's part 1 in case you missed it! Perhaps no Minnesota State Park offers a greater variety of attractions than does Forestville /Mystery Cave State Park. The park is rich in both historical and natural resources including the 1853- 1910 townsite of Forestville, meandering blue- … Continue reading Part 2: The Mystery of …Forestville | Mystery Caves!
Lake Louise and Forestville Mystery Cave State Parks| Part 1
LAKE LOUISE STATE PARK TRIP DETAILS LENGTH 1.3 mile hiking club trail DIFFICULTY Easy and flat DATE June 22, 2018 MAIN FEATURES Iowa River and Lake Louise-blood thirsty mosquitoes I left work a little early on Friday to hike my 37th Minnesota Hiking Club trail and get a head start on meeting the Scouts at Forestville Mystery … Continue reading Lake Louise and Forestville Mystery Cave State Parks| Part 1
Making Your Own Ultralight Backpack!
Have you ever thought about making your own backpacking gear? This week's post is about my experience sewing an ultralight backpack. There are lots of reasons to do it yourself, including: financial, weight savings, customization and just learning something new! If you have been reading in the last 6 months, you already know that … Continue reading Making Your Own Ultralight Backpack!
Minnehaha Falls to Pike Island, Fort Snelling State Park
TRIP DETAILS LENGTH 10 miles DIFFICULTY Easy but very icy today (bring ice traction) DATE March 24, 2018 MAIN FEATURES 53 ft Minnehaha Falls and Pike Island My 18th hike of the 2018 52 Hike Challenge started at Minnehaha Falls Regional Park. One of Minneapolis' oldest and most popular parks features a majestic 53-foot waterfall, limestone bluffs, and river … Continue reading Minnehaha Falls to Pike Island, Fort Snelling State Park
10 Winter Hacks to Keep You Warm
Expanding on my previous post, The California Transplant's Guide to Winter Layers, here's a quick list of 10 hacks and skills to help you stay warm this winter!
2017 Year in Review
On January 1st 2017, I started this blog, as a place to write about my outdoor adventures, learning experiences, failures and encourage others to get outside at any skill level. In 2017, I also challenged myself to ask, before starting or continuing various activities, "Does this make me feel strong? Or will this build strength?” … Continue reading 2017 Year in Review
Winter Camping at Fred C. Andersen Scout Camp
Another year at Winter Scout Camp and a review of two different sleep set ups I used: Hammock and Solo Tent. Winter camping takes more planning and effort but refines my outdoor skills each time I do it.
My First Winter Camping Experience aka ‘The coldest night of my life’
I was a new Scout Leader, and knew nothing about winter camping but enthusiastically volunteered to coordinate a winter overnight as a camping merit badge requirement. From there, I led my first backpacking trip the following summer without any experience. Powered by this same enthusiasm and thirst for wilderness knowledge, we trekked to Glacier National Park. Lots of learning and we've survived every adventure since!
Glacier National Park | St Mary, Virginia Falls, Garden Wall and Final Trip Thoughts
TRIP DETAILS LENGTH 3 mi + 2 mi DIFFICULTY Easy, with a few blazing hot hills on the way out of the falls. DATE July 6, 2017 MAIN FEATURES Two hikes in one day! The trail to the falls follows the path of a recent forest fire, 3 miles out and back. Several great spots for lunch and enjoying … Continue reading Glacier National Park | St Mary, Virginia Falls, Garden Wall and Final Trip Thoughts
Glacier National Park | Many Glacier
TRIP DETAILS LENGTH 5-10 mi DIFFICULTY Easy and flat to Grinnell Lake, then hilly on the loop back. DATE July 5, 2017 MAIN FEATURES The trail follows the shoreline of Swiftcurrent Lake, Lake Josephine and Grinnell Lake with views of 5 Glaciers from the Many Glacier Hotel area. No synonym for God is so perfect as Beauty. Whether as seen carving … Continue reading Glacier National Park | Many Glacier