Alec is a landscape photographer and outdoors storyteller with a zeal for pushing boundaries in the wild. He enjoys hiking, backpacking, and visiting remote places, allowing him to photograph locations the rest of the world shies away from. In addition, Alec loves to write about his travels and craft articles that help educate and inspire others to find their joy in nature.
Tips to Stay Safe in the Mountains This Summer
|
I hope you all had a wonderful holiday weekend and have adjusted back to life without a day off this week. We've been sweltering in Seattle's heatwave (no true AC in our unit), but it's finally abiding. But all that heat means melting snow and the official arrival of summer up here. I cannot wait to hit full throttle on the upcoming backpacking season! Mountain Safety TipsLet's talk mountain tips for those hitting the trails. 1. Get off ridgelines and summits by 1pm This is my biggest recommendation for those hiking in places where afternoon T-Storms roll in. Being on exposed slopes increases the risk of getting struck by lightning and other impacts of the elements. A good way to beat this risk is to start your hikes at sunrise, giving you ample time to get down into the trees (or even your car) by the time a storm develops. 2. Bring a Water Filter on All Hikes In most cases, drinking from a stream in the mountains isn't going to kill you in the USA, and you should 100% drink water in an emergency. But to stay on the safe side, carrying a water filter is hardly a nuisance. Something like this Katadyn 1L Water Filter Bottle is perfect and can be rolled up to conserve space. 3. Always carry an extra layer/rain jacket No matter the temps, I try to carry some sort of jacket with me and it's usually a rain jacket. Recently, Jaimie and I got rained on for five of our nine-mile hike, and by the end, we were quite chilled and soaked to the bone. Even with a rain jacket on, we were wet, but I can't imagine how cruddy we would feel without one. It's always better to be safe than sorry. 4. Cell Phones may not work. Use a Satellite Comms Device Depending on where you are and your service provider, you might not have cell service in the backcountry. (The new iOS18 update this fall will have satellite comms ability.) Still, having a satellite communication device that won't run out of battery can be lifesaving. I added this to my pack last year and enjoy having the peace of mind to check in and let my fiancee know I'm still alive. 5. Eat Plenty of Salty Foods Yes, I'm telling you to eat some chips! Ha, or really anything salty. I usually turn to nuts (trail mix) and beef jerky for my salt intake, considering chips get crushed easily. Whatever you choose, bring a lot and enjoy. The reason for this is that salt helps your body absorb water, and you lose salt when you sweat. Eating salty foods helps replenish what you lose and keeps your body's electrolytes in line. 6. Hiking Poles Greatly Help (For me at least) Above the treeline, the terrain can get chossy, rocky, and downright unfun. Hiking poles are a nice way to add stability and save your knees. Some may only want to bring one pole and keep one hand free for moving over tough terrain.
Gear CornerSummer camp and hike season is upon us. Here are a few items I've been using.
Iceland GuideMy new guide to Iceland's Ring Road, top photo spots, and so much more is now available! It's an invaluable tool for exploring the country and will help you have an incredible time. It also comes with 10% off a camper van. Recent Articles You May Have MissedAn Epic Summit Journey on Mount Baker in Washington (Brand new article)These Top 15 Summer Hikes in Washington Will Leave You StunnedWyoming National Parks: The best things to do at Yellowstone and Grand TetonRemember These Hiking Etiquette Tips While On The Trails This SummerBackpacking Guide to the beautiful Columbine Lake at 12,700 feet2024 Guide to Driving the Incredible Icefields ParkwayVisiting Lake Louise and Moraine Lake in 2024? Here’s what you need to knowA Guide to Hiking and Training for Mount Whitney in 2024 |
Hi! I'm Alec, an outdoor writer, photographer, and content creator.
Alec is a landscape photographer and outdoors storyteller with a zeal for pushing boundaries in the wild. He enjoys hiking, backpacking, and visiting remote places, allowing him to photograph locations the rest of the world shies away from. In addition, Alec loves to write about his travels and craft articles that help educate and inspire others to find their joy in nature.
I have no idea how it's already September. July and August skirted right along, and now we're experiencing the changing seasons up here in Seattle. A buddy and I backpacked 35 miles into an alpine mecca with towering peaks and rugged glaciers. It was a glorious place and an excellent way to disconnect from the world for three days. I hope you had a lovely Labor Day Weekend and that this week has been kind to you. New Photos of Alaskan Brown Bears Are Available I'm thrilled to announce the...
Chasing Fall at these 10 National Parks Here is a quick breakdown of 10 National Parks nationwide known for stunning fall colors! Do note that the times are historical estimates, and you'll want to do some research on the specific places, as the weather plays a big role in when colors change. 1. Great Smoky Mountains National Park (Tennessee/North Carolina) Peak Time: Late September to early November Details: The park has a wide range of elevations, so fall colors start in the higher...
Five Days in Alaska Jaimie and I just returned from five amazing days in the Alaskan wild. We spent four nights in Port Alsworth, a small community in the middle of Lake Clark National Park and Preserve. From there, we took float planes to different Lake Clark and Katmai areas to watch brown bears in the wild and see the dramatic Alaskan scenery. This was my third time visiting Alaska, and it continues to dazzle. Seeing such remote places as they have been for hundreds or thousands of years...