10,188 feet above sea level on the south flank of Mount Rainier lies Camp Muir: a cluster of small huts nestled into the saddle between the Gibraltar Ledges and the Beehive, above Anvil Rock and below Cadaver Gap. It’s the highest you can go on the mountain without a climbing permit, and one of the … [Read More]
Or at the very least, polarized and UV-protection sunglasses, but for the love of God please take care of your corneas when hiking on snow. If you haven’t heard stories about snowblindness yet, stick around. They are horrifying and made me rush out and buy my first pair of Julbo Sherpas. Functionality: You Need To … [Read More]
The American Institute for Avalanche Research and Education: www.avtraining.org AIARE was established in 1998 as a nonprofit organization to create a researched-based avalanche education model for backcountry users with the belief that avalanche education, research, and training can prevent injuries and fatalities due to avalanches. AIARE develops and disseminates research-based avalanche curriculum to over 100 … [Read More]
GoTrail: www.gotrail.com GoTrail is a relative newcomer to the hikefinder scene, and is having new trails added to its directory every day. This is a nationwide site that encourages reader contributions, and will pay a small fee for trip reports as it works to build its database. Main information included is mileage, elevation gain, permits/parking, … [Read More]
Mountain-Forecast: www.mountain-forecast.com This invaluable website provides weather forecasts for more than 11,300 (and growing) major summits for climbers and mountaineers, with up to 5 different elevations per peak and updated hourly. You can search by name of mountain, by range, by country, or by map. They go about six days out, and while you and I both know … [Read More]
Gaia GPS: www.gaiagps.com Gaia is one of the more popular apps for maps and navigation, and their website is a filled-out version of that app, offering various resources for hiking, backpacking, off-roading, hunting, mountain biking, backcountry skiing, and fishing. From maps and permitting info to volunteer opportunities and merchandise, Gaia truly is your one-stop outdoorsy … [Read More]
Northwest Avalanche Center: https://nwac.us The NWAC app is a staple on many a northwest hiker’s phone, because it provides such reliable, up to the minute, trustworthy information about avalanche danger, weather, and snow conditions. The map is updated no less than once a day, and is based on thorough field research conducted by expert forecasters. … [Read More]
AllTrails: www.alltrails.com Find hikes Record your tracks Connect with other hikers See where you are on the trail in real-time The quintessential worldwide hike-finding/tracking/navigating tool that has info on over 100,000 trails with terrain info, trail maps, detailed reviews, difficulty ratings, and photos curated by millions of hikers all around the globe. Put the app … [Read More]
Oregon Hikers/Portland Hikers: www.oregonhikers.org Oregon Hikers is an online community dedicated to hiking and exploring the outdoors in Oregon. New trip reports are posted in their discussion forums just about every day, and the Oregon Hikers’ Field Guide contains hundreds of trail descriptions, photos, and maps to help plan your adventures. The field guide is … [Read More]
Before heading to the mountains in the winter, it’s crucial to have at least a rudimentary understanding of avalanche danger, risk assessment, and safety tools. Until you feel comfortable with your awareness and skills, it’s not a bad idea to stick to lowland or no-risk hikes, and even after you have taken courses and developed … [Read More]
