Can I Pet That Dog? The Short Answer Is No…

3 little cubs near the base of a tree

Unless you live a life I dream of – off-grid with no need to get online, like, ever – you’ve heard the viral audio. “Can I pet that dog?” the child pleads. “Can I pet that dooooog?!” The hint of drawl/twang and urgency in the voice captured the hearts of millions and became an internet […]

Bear Attack Statistics

A group of Kodiak brown bears on a mountain ridge.

Here’s what bear attack statistics can teach you about exploring bear country responsibly…

Thank You, Wolves

The author's tent on the edge of the St Lawrence River, north shore, Quebec.

I purchased my first BV500 in 2018, in preparation for a 3700 mile cycling trip around eastern Canada. I’d read that polar bears had been spotted in Labrador and Newfoundland, right where I was headed. This was great news, because polar bears are magestic creatures with silvery fur and mystical souls! It also meant I […]

How We Did It in the Good Old Days

The view looking out over the Sierra Nevada from near Sonora Pass.

When I first started looking at gear for this past summer’s hiking trip in Colorado, one of the items that immediately jumped out at me were bear canisters – – – something that hadn’t existed when I had last gone backpacking in the early 1990s. Back then we would store our food in “bear bags” […]

What’s Up With the Bears in Los Angeles?

The view out over Hot Springs mountain in San Diego.

I didn’t know black bears lived in Los Angeles County until one shut down my high school for the afternoon. I remember the day well– our typically quiet English class was interrupted by the wailing of a lockdown alarm, followed by a loudspeaker blaring instructions to get inside and lock the doors. Our class formed […]

When Do Bears Hibernate?

Momma bear and cubs curled up outside of the den.

Hibernation habits of north american bears | Know when bears hibernate to recreate responsibly during winter months | When do bears hibernate

Backpacking as a Solo Woman

If you are a female thru-hiker, backpacker, or outdoor adventurer, I will bet on the fact that you have heard this exact sentiment: “You’re doing this alone? I could never do that. You’re so brave”. While well-intended every time, this phrase gets under my skin. Don’t get me wrong; it is essential to acknowledge and […]

Lessons learned from Ten Days in Bear Country

A great view of an alpine lake in colorado.

Before our recent ten day trip to Rocky Mountain National Park, it had been almost thirty years since my buddy Dick and I had last slept outside in the woods. While so much has changed over the past three decades, the fundamental pleasures of being outside all came back: coming upon an alpine lake after a long, dusty hike; seeing the Milky Way in the middle of the night; being surrounded by wildlife in their own habitat.

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