Group Thru-Hikes 210-mile Chicago Outerbelt Trail for the First Time Seth Putnam|July 26, 2018 For years, a connected thru-trail around Chicago lived only in the imaginations of outdoor enthusiasts. But the dream is now reality, thanks to the Outerbelt Alliance.
Tips for Backpacking With Your Dog Ashley Brown|July 26, 2018 Some of the best hiking companions have four legs. Dogs and backpacking can go together like peas and carrots—assuming you take some steps to assure both you and your furry friend are prepared for the backcountry. Follow these tips to help ensure both you and they enjoy a lifetime of excursions under the stars.
Best-Selling Outdoor Gear in 2018 (so far) Aer Parris|July 16, 2018 We’re pretty obsessed with gear—and have been for the past 80 years. And if you’re here, that means you’re also probably pretty obsessed. We’re bringing you the top purchased products across every category for the first half of 2018. If your fellow outdoorspeople think this stuff is good, we bet you will too.
How to Plan a Hike for the Whole Family Shanti Hodges|July 13, 2018 Want to plan the perfect hike for the whole family? Ask yourself the following questions to set yourself up for success: Who is in your family? What makes hiking satisfying for you? What trails do you have access to? And what does your gear look like?
North Carolina’s Ginseng Lottery Has Begun Graham Averill|July 13, 2018 A common ingredient in your favorite energy drink grows wild in the mountains of North Carolina, and it’s worth so much, you have to win a lottery in order to harvest it legally. Pisgah and Nantahala National Forests have opened their annual lottery for permits to harvest wild American ginseng.
There’s No Such Thing As a Perfect Hike Matt Crossman|July 13, 2018 We all have great expectations when we set out on a hike. We go in with preconceived notions and come out disappointed when they aren’t met. But I’ve noticed a strange trend in my hiking life: Some hikes have a way of becoming retroactively better than I had ever hoped.
Our Best Gear, According to Hyperenthusiastic Reviewers Aer Parris|July 12, 2018 Here at the co-op, we review tons of products. Some of our reviews are produced by in-house teams and subject-matter experts. Other times, we turn to you—the customer—to provide feedback. Here's a roundup of some summer 2018 customer favorites, based on extra enthusiastic reviews.
This REI Instructor Teaches Outdoor Classes in American Sign Language Shelby Carpenter|July 2, 2018 Outdoor School instructor Diedre Tanenberg grew up on the West Coast, where she acquired a passion for pushing herself outside, primarily through camping and whitewater rafting. There’s one thing that makes her classes unique: Tanenberg, who is deaf, teaches her courses in American Sign Language (ASL).
What’s the Difference Between an External Frame Pack and an Internal Frame Pack? Ken Knapp|July 2, 2018 External frame packs look very different from internal frame packs. Learn the pros and cons of each design so you can decide which is right for you.
Putting the Colorado Trail on the Map Betsy Welch|June 29, 2018 In 1990, Jerry Brown became the first person to bikepack the Colorado Trail. Ten years later, he returned on his bike to survey the trail and make the map that everyone—hikers and equestrians, too—uses on the trail today.
How Much Does It Cost to Hike the Appalachian Trail? Aer Parris|June 19, 2018 Learn the true cost of hiking the Appalachian Trail with our comprehensive guide. Plan your budget and make the most of your adventure.
Rewilding Our Cities Aer Parris|June 11, 2018 At REI, we're on a mission to enable more transformational experiences in the outdoors for all. In 2018 alone, we’ll invest approximately $8.8M in projects, outdoor places and organizations that are increasing access to the outdoors.
