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

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

Here’s what bear attack statistics can teach you about exploring bear country responsibly…
Backpacking in Grizzly Country: How to Do It Safely

How-To Guide for safely backpacking or camping in grizzly country | Backpacking Yellowstone | Camping in the Tetons | Facts about grizzly bears
Thank You, Wolves

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

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?

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 […]
Get Answers About Bears In Colorado

Get Answers About Bears In Colorado | FAQ About Colorado Bears | Black Bear Info | Colorado Bear Population
When Do Bears Hibernate?

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

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.