How Far Can You Hike in a Day?

Realistic daily hiking distance by fitness and terrain, how long a first hike should be, trail etiquette, and whether trekking poles are worth it.

Valley or Ridge? Reading a Topo Map

Reading contour lines to see terrain, telling valleys from ridges, what topo map colours mean, and the map scale that suits hiking.

The Correct Way to Hold a Compass

How to hold a compass properly, taking and following a bearing, declination explained without jargon, and using a compass with a paper map.

Does Phone GPS Work Without Service?

Why phone GPS works with no signal, downloading offline maps before you go, satellite messenger versus PLB, and whether you actually need one.

What Clouds Mean a Storm Is Coming

The cloud shapes that warn of storms, telling high cloud from low, the four cloud families, and how much to trust a wind chill number.

Is a Tent Safe in a Thunderstorm?

Whether a tent offers any lightning protection, why a car does, what to do in a tornado outdoors, and how little rain causes a flash flood.