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7 Things to Remember During Your First Marathon

Posted on May 22, 2013 by Sarah Esterman

While you’ve done your training and you’ve (hopefully) prepared adequately food and water-wise for race day, the actual race is full of jitters and mental battles that might take you by surprise. So hang in there, and try to remember these tips after you cross the starting line:

Start out slow
Between the jitters and the masses of people surrounding you at the start line, it’s easy to make the mistake of starting out too quickly. While it might feel OK for the first couple of miles, it’ll definitely catch up to you. A marathon is a long race, and running a slower first half and a faster second half is the smart way to tackle the 26.2 miles.

Save your emotion for later
In most marathons, there will be awesome spectators cheering you on the entire distance and though giving high fives every time you see family, friends or strangers out there supporting you might seem like the right thing to do, you’ll need to be careful not to exert too much emotional and mental energy too early in the race—because at mile 18, you might find it a little harder to keep going than at mile 10.

Break it up
Just the thought of running 26.2 miles is exhausting, so try to break up the race into smaller segments in your head. A marathon is only about 13 and a half 5ks, for instance. Or at mile 20, you only have a 10k to go. Whatever works best for you to try to make the end goal seem less daunting will help prevent you from hitting the wall along the way.

Battle boredom
It’s a long race, not just in distance, but also in time spent running, so chances are you’re going to get bored. If you need music to help keep your mind occupied, then listen to it. Or maybe make up some sort of mental game involving counting runners or spotting things in the scenery—whatever it takes to keep your mind busy.

Focus on things besides your body
At some point during the race, things are going to start to hurt. That’s just what’s going to happen. So instead of focusing primarily on how stiff your legs are starting to feel or about the blisters currently forming on the ball of your left foot, pay attention to the spectators, the scenery or anything besides what’s happening inside your body. Yes, it’s important to listen to yourself so you don’t get seriously injured, but there’s definitely a difference between a real injury and the soreness that happens on a long run.

Don’t forget to hydrate and eat
Drink water when you need to and have snacks and electrolyte mixes. This kind of race is no easy feat for the body; so don’t expect it to run without the necessities.

Psyche yourself up
Towards the end of the race, you might find some mental struggles creeping through. So start setting small milestones or even, begin reminding yourself how strong you are. Little mantras, as cheesy as they sound, can absolutely be the reason you make it through some of the harder, maybe lonelier, miles. Tell yourself how awesome you are for even attempting a marathon—and how badass you’re going to feel afterwards when you can tell people you’ve run one.

Posted in Out There, Run | Tagged marathon | Leave a comment

Paddling in High Water

Posted on May 22, 2013 by Mallory Faye Douglas

The rampant April showers have lasted into May, leaving many rivers and recreational paddling areas closed due to high water. When the rains come, not only does your lawn flood, so do many rivers and creeks and that can create dangerous situations for paddlers and bystanders alike. Before paddling, always check regulations in your area to make sure the conditions of the water are safe.

Listen to the River
You don’t have to be a hippie to listen to the river. With faster water comes less stability. If it’s been raining and/or flooding, there will also be debris like logs, leaves, sticks, and whole trees. Trees and branches, known as “strainers” will leave you in big trouble so before dropping in, look around and see if these are going to be an issue.

Don’t Go Alone
You wouldn’t go back-country skiing by yourself now would you? Paddling with only the chirp of the birds and the swish of the paddle through the water is always nice, but if in high water channels, don’t go alone. Emergencies on the water happen often and reception on the river is about as predictable as the river itself. If you’re absolutely dead set on paddling high water, at least let someone know where you will be dropping in and taking out.

Don’t Flip
Flipping is fine when there isn’t potentially sharp/large debris in the water. Save your amazing Eskimo roll and practice-wet exits for a calmer day. Plus you won’t have to be picking little piece of tree bark and sticks from out of your kayak. If you know there’s debris in the water, save your tricks for another day.

Safety First
Before leaving for your paddle trip, be sure to pack an emergency dry bag. In case tragedy may strike, at least you will be prepared. An extra set of dry clothes is something you should always take on a trip. Also, an emergency poncho, water, a whistle, solar blanket, matches or a lighter, and emergency food are always great to have. If your kayak has enough compartments, throw in a small camp stove. Even better, learn how to make a stove out of an aluminum can.

Don’t Get Caught
Many states have laws and regulations against paddling on high water marked rivers and creeks. Getting caught breaking those regulations can result in a hefty fine. Obviously, it’s better to abide by the law and not paddle when conditions have been deemed unsafe. Just remember that the law enforcement officials are trying to keep you alive, not to damper on your fun. If it’s absolutely necessary for you to paddle that day, remember to be safe. Just always keep in mind, “When in doubt, stay out.”

Posted in Out There, Paddle | Tagged paddling | Leave a comment

5 Kickass Outdoor Movies and What They Teach Us About Life Outside

Posted on May 21, 2013 by Hope Gately

Movies transport us to another world and there’s nothing better than when they transport us to outdoor worlds. Men and women test their moxy against the elements, animals, and their own limitations. As such, we’ve chosen our very favorite outdoor flicks and have broken them down into the lessons that you’ll hopefully take away once the popcorn is gone and the credits roll.

Into Thin Air

The Gist: This tragic film is based on the book by outdoor author and adventurer Jon Krakauker. This intense drama details the events of the now infamous Mt. Everest disaster in which eight mountaineers lost their lives and several more were stranded when a sudden storm struck the mountain and rendered the climbers helpless.

Lessons Learned:
-Always observe strict safety precautions, whether you’re climbing the tallest mountain in the world or merely going for a brisk hike in the backcountry.
-Dying in the outdoors is no picnic. It totally sucks. Avoid it at all costs.

2. The Edge

The Gist: The long and the short of this thriller is that Anthony Hopkins is a gazillionaire married to a much younger super model who happens to be having an affair with Hopkins’ business partner, played by Alec Baldwin ( We don’t know what her problem is because we’d take Hopkins over Baldwin any day of the week). Whilst heading to a cabin in the mountains, Tony and Alec crash land in the wilderness where they have to survive by their wits and outrun a murderous bear. Lucky for Alec, Tony doesn’t go all Hannibal Lecter on him, but he does outwit him due to his composer and prior study of survival techniques. Pretty cool, huh?

Lessons Learned:
-Don’t trust Alec Baldwin with your hot wife.
-Reading a survival manual can never hurt, in fact it could just save your life.
-Composure under pressure can save your life in the outdoors.

3. Brokeback Mountain

The Gist: Two men fall in love and carry on a lifelong relationship after spending a season tending to sheep in the mountains. Though this isn’t a survival film by any means, it does teach us a few things about the outdoors.

Lessons Learned:
-The outdoors offers a haven and retreat for lovers.
-Ranchers, herders, and those that make their living in the outdoors deserve our respect, since it’s hard work and you have to have balls of steal to winter camp for months.
-Jake Gyllenhal looks mighty fine in Wrangler jeans.

4. Into the Wild

The Gist: Yuppy kid is disenchanted with yuppiedom. Yuppie kid travels the US and, eventually, decides to take his chances in the Alaskan Wilderness. Yuppie kid finds an abandoned van, uses it for shelter, gets hungry, eats some poisonous fauna. Yuppie kid dies.

Lessons Learned:
-Yuppie kids, and anyone with common sense, require formal wilderness survival training before walking “into the wild.”
-Never eat anything in nature unless you are 110% certain it won’t kill you.
-Sean Penn can actually direct, but not as well as he can act.

5. Last of the Mohicans

The Gist: There’s a lot going on in this film but essentially, Daniel “ I Win Lots of Acting Awards” Day Lewis, some Mohicians, and a really hot chick are all fight for survival against the Indians and Redcoats during the French and Indian War. The cinematography is stunning and there’s a lot of jumping off waterfalls and men in buckskins. Yes, please.

Lessons Learned:
-Jumping off waterfalls should be reserved for Daniel Day Lewis.
-Knife fighting on rocks in the wilderness results in certain death.
-We should respect the wilderness, its animals, and its people.

Posted in Out There | 3 Comments

Beat the Bug Blues: 8 Tricks to Keep Insects at Bay

Posted on May 21, 2013 by Courtney Lambert

Summer is here, bringing with it the joys of camping, swimming, outdoor bliss….and bugs. Mosquitoes, gnats, horse flies, no-see-’ems….they make you want to gnash your teeth, pull out hair and punch something close by. The usual summer bug battle is upon us folks so read these 8 vital tips for prime insect survival.

1) Cover Your Bod
Duh. But what if it’s 90 degrees outside? Try clothes made to repel insects that contain a chemical insecticide called permethrin. This clothing will keep the bugs at bay for 2 weeks up to several months- depending on how often you wear and wash them. And remember – light not dark. Mosquitos love those dark colors.

2) Embrace Your Musk
Come on guys, you don’t need your fruity perfume or vanilla bean lotion out in the woods! If you do – shame on you, and mother nature will let you feel that shame by sending hordes of bugs from miles away directly to your sweet smelling hair and skin. After all, flowers and fruit are a daily staple in many insect diets. Make sense?

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3) Go Green
There are a few plants that you can purchase at your local nursery that produce oils that fend off flying biters – a nice eco friendly alternative. Citronella plants, cat nip, lemon or eucalyptus are age-old remedies that smell yummy. Bring a citronella love fern to camp or keep one on your patio for a nice decorative touch while fighting bug bites.

4) Burn Some Herb
Not the herb you’re thinking of. Next time you’re cooking out or burning a campfire, throw in some rosemary or sage- the buggies can’t stand the smell.

5) Bloodsuckers Hate Garlic
It works with vampires, so naturally it works with mosquitos too. Eat your garlic! Your pores will emit a garlicky scent that will make mosquitos cringe. Not a big garlic eater? Mix some garlic and water in a spray bottle and spritz away for a cheap, home made spray repellent.

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6) The Almighty Bat
If you want to be a bug-repelling master, then you should catch/invest in a pet bat(s). One bat will nosh on hundreds of bugs in a single night. Don’t pretend like you don’t want one.

7) Good Ol’ Chemicals
I know, I know… the chemicals are quite controversial, but there are some people who have that sweet blood type that mosquitoes live for. Speaking of which, have a friend that bugs lust over? Then tip number eight is for you.

8) Use a Buddy as Bait
This one is just for fun, but seriously- when I’m with my friends, they do not get bit because all of the mosquitoes are busy feeding off of me. Sometimes you just gotta take one for the team!

Posted in Out There, Tips | 3 Comments

The Heaviest Waves in the World Crash Down at Teahupo’o

Posted on May 20, 2013 by Tim Gibbins

On May 13th, 2013 when the glassy swells at a well-known surf break were forecasted to reach 20+ feet, a massive crowd of die-hard surfers arrived on the south-west coast of the small French Polynesian island of Tahiti. They came for one thing, and one thing only – Teahupo’o.

This unique wave forms over a reef that lurks just 20 inches below the surface. The resulting deep-water swells hit the reef and launch into vertical walls with enormous hollow tubes. There are bigger waves in the world. Some may claim there are stronger ones, but Teahupo’o waves are often as thick at the lip as the waves are tall, and the result is the heaviest waves in the world.

You’ve seen the footage. Teahupo’o is featured in the surf documentary Riding Giants when Laird Hamilton gets towed into what they dub as “The Heaviest Wave Ever Ridden.” In 2008, Ian Walsh caught the largest wave of the season and the footage was featured in the Red Bull campaign for the rest of the year.

This video features dozens of riders, but one rider quite obviously stands apart from the crowd. Watch Raimana Van Bastolaer‘s preternatural poise in a cat-like crouch upon the board as he careens across the face of the wave. Once, when he’s caught deep on the inside, the massive lip catapults above him with the force of a semi-truck and closes out with spray that punches out of the tube with a force that nearly knocks him from his board.

The resulting carnage and newly minted legends are what a big day at Teahupo’o are all about. Just watch it. Your heart will pound like you just shot-gunned a Red Bull.

Posted in Out There, Surf, Videos | Tagged Big Waves, Heaviest Waves, Laird Hamilton, Raimana Van Bastolaer, Red Bull, surfing, Teahupo’o | Leave a comment

Why It’s Awesome to Have an Outdoorsy Dog

Posted on May 20, 2013 by Kathy Dieser

The draw of having a pet is undeniable. It’s almost like the epitome of narcissism, keeping a being around you for the sole purpose of loving you. They wait for you, wait on you, adore you, sometimes sing to you (depending on the pet), cuddle with you…they are like love machines. And it is good for your mental health to have one—petting animals actually reduces stress. But wait; it gets better.

I’m a cat person, and sometimes I wonder how that happened. It isn’t necessarily that I dislike dogs, but somehow, maybe in my genetic predisposition (though I highly doubt that because most of the people in my family don’t actually like cats) cats and I just have an understanding. They come with a more independent, lower maintenance existence that is absolutely necessary to our compatibility. They get angry when their naps get interrupted, and so do I. They purr, they meow (I actually love the sound of cats meowing), and they still cuddle with me when I go to bed (though they tend to take up most of the bed).

Still though, it is hard NOT to want a dog when I’m out on the trail. Are my cats going to leash up and traverse miles of trail with me? Uh…no. When I open my front door, they run AWAY from it. These are the reasons I sigh longingly when I see a fellow hiker with a dutiful outdoorsy canine:

1. They are ready when you are: Have you ever tried to plan out a trip that depended entirely on timing, and you had to wait on your counterpart? Maybe they forgot to pack their lunch until the last minute, or they NEED to check directions again a few more times before you head out the door. Not an outdoorsy dog. As a matter of fact, your pooch is probably already waiting on you.
Endless Enthusiasm: Are you excited to climb a fourteener? So is your dog! They are probably more pumped than you are to get out there and discover all the new smells, get some great exercise, and keep going all day long.
Always interesting: The conversation can never get boring, because there is never conversation…and yet, dogs always seem to keep interest levels high. And their obvious happiness and carefree nature is pretty contagious.
Always interested: A well-trained dog is an excellent listener. And they won’t look at you like you’re an absolute weirdo when you talk in your super cute high pitched dog voice saying what a good boy/girl they are. Especially when treats are involved.
Friendlier than you are: Are you nervous to go talk to that really hot hiker guy/chick? I bet your dog isn’t. As a matter of fact, I’m sure that hottie is pretty excited to talk to your dog, too. Boom: perfect conversation starter, perfect wingman.
Won’t argue: Do you feel like sprinting through the trail, or just keeping a slower pace? Do you want to stop for lunch? Do you want to take the long way back? Or do you perhaps want to cut the hike super short because you’ve decided that the post-hike beer can’t wait any longer? Your dog’s on the same page, buddy. He’s wondering why you didn’t think of it sooner (though you probably shouldn’t let him drink beer).

Posted in Out There | 4 Comments

Road Cycling Gear: Look Like a Pro

Posted on May 17, 2013 by Chad Dionigi

Despite the infamous and patriotically depressing downfall of Lance Armstrong, cycling has been on the rise in the United States year after year. At one time or another, you may have been casually walking down the sidewalk on a hot summer day with nothing but joyous thoughts of purchasing an ice cream cone; when all of a sudden, a speeding bullet of padded Lycra (spandex) screams by you, too close for comfort, on their two wheeled steed. After the initial shock, you take a step back and laugh to yourself at the assailant’s goofy, oversized helmet and six water bottles under his seat. Their rooky status is then evident when you see the shark bite. I’m not talking about a heroic scar; I’m talking about the greasy chain ring print on the inner right leg. Trust me, you don’t want to be that guy. When you hit the road on your lightweight (hopefully) road beast, you want to make sure that you’re looking intimidating and not like a circus clown with a pay raise.

How to look like a pro and not like a schmo:

Buy a nice helmet. It’s the worst thing to skimp on. Not only will your silliness level increase, you are also sacrificing your safety. Get one that fits comfortably and well, since it will be worn every time you get on the bike. It should be snug on your head and the straps should be tightened until two fingers can barely fit between the strap and your neck. This way, when you flip over the bars in an epic endo trying to avoid a pesky pedestrian, you know that your helmet will stay in the same spot for maximum protection. Whatever you do, don’t put a mirror on the brim of your helmet. It’s the nerd accessory of cyclists. Who cares if you see the car that’s about to hit you anyways? I’d rather just not know about it.

Limit your water bottle holsters cowboy. Unless you’re training for a triathlon, you don’t need more than two water bottle cages on your bike; and don’t even think about putting any in a backpack, or worse, your cycle jersey’s rear pocket. Just bring enough water to stay hydrated. You don’t want to be pedaling around any more weight than necessary, right?

Don’t buy spandex that’s too tight. I’ve seen some lean mean looking cyclists on top of a nice ride. It’s very intimidating indeed having one of these guys pass you without a drop of sweat on their face going up a tough climb. They are clad with a full suite of matching lycra of course. That rider is probably passing a “circus cyclist” who appears to have donned a new belly cycling jersey before his ride. Either that or he bought a jersey too small for the beer belly. One can’t be sure.

Posted in Cycle, Out There, Tips | Tagged road cycling gear | Leave a comment

How Running Builds Character

Posted on May 17, 2013 by Audra Rundle

Running is not for the weak willed. That’s not really news to anyone though, is it? Yet what makes running so appealing to such a diverse group of people is that you don’t have to be mentally tough to start. Running will naturally build that perseverance.

Gumption: shrewd or spirited initiative and resourcefulness. Just making the decision to head down the dusty trail and start calling yourself a runner takes gumption. There are many stereotypes and expectations that have been assigned to anyone dubbed a ‘runner’. If you’re going to call yourself a runner, you have committed to actually getting out there and running a few days a week. This is not too hard the first week, when you’re still excited about the new hobby. But just wait for the next several weeks. It becomes harder when the novelty has worn off and you’re sore and tired. If you stick it out though, you will build that gumption.

Dedication: The quality of being committed to a purpose. The word ‘dedicated’ gets thrown around a lot, but athletes tend to understand it in it’s entirety more than the average person. Training for a marathon, which takes months to years depending on your starting fitness, will leave you with no doubt about what dedication means. If you skip a practice, your body will remind you later – and that reminder will probably hurt.

Endurance: The power of withstanding an unpleasant or difficult process without giving way. Running obviously involves a great deal of physical endurance. Our bodies have limits, but runners know there are often ways to press those physical limits a bit further through endurance. Endurance is also a mental attribute. Whether your on a 5-mile loop, an 18-mile training run, or mile 23 of a marathon, you’re going to hit a point where you’re utterly exhausted and the only options are to quit (which is not really an option. Everyone knows that.) or keep going. Most runners keep going. Running, walking, crawling…it doesn’t matter; forward projection is the bottom line. That is endurance.

Goal Setting: A goal is the destination of a journey. Goal setting is laying out the path that will get you there. Running involves constant goal setting. Sometimes the goals are simple: just get out the door and start jogging; make it to the corner before slowing down; add half a mile to your long run this week. Other times, the goals are huge: train for your first half marathon; run your first 16-mile training run; complete your first full marathon. Goal setting is an essential life skill that helps people build realistic paths towards goals that may seem too far off otherwise. How wonderful is it that you can naturally acquire this skill through staying active and having fun?

Confidence: The feeling or belief that one can rely on someone or something. Every time a run is completed, whether it’s a training run or a race, there is a feeling of accomplishment awarded to the runner. This feeling is largely what keeps people in this sport.

Running is already widely recognized as a great way to exercise your body and keep it healthy. It does a lot more than that, however. Running also exercises your mind, spirit, and resolve. It builds character through it’s natural challenges and leads you to uncover qualities about yourself that will help you in many other walks.

Posted in Out There, Run | Tagged Running | 1 Comment

Skateboarding A Dusty Waterpark

Posted on May 16, 2013 by Grady Marold

<a href="http://www.vimeo.com/43044223">http://www.vimeo.com/43044223</a>

Kilian Martin is known for pushing the standards of modern skateboarding through his extraordinary creativity and versatility on a skateboard. While venturing deep into the Mohave Desert, to the decommissioned Lake Dolores Waterpark, Kilian found plenty of inspiration amongst the ruins of the once popular vacation spot.

This short film highlights Killian’s unparalleled ingenuity as he rips around the dried up aqua-attractions.

Check out Kilian killin’ it in Altered Route masterfully filmed by Brett Novak.

Posted in Out There, Skate, Videos | Tagged flatland skateboard, kilian martin, Lake Dolores Waterpark, Mojave, Skateboard, skateboarding, waterpark | Leave a comment

Amazing Chad Kerley Edit

Posted on May 16, 2013 by Ian Eglitis

Pro BMX street rider Chad Kerley recently released a signature frameset with Premium Products BMX. Shortly after, Kerley dropped this amazing edit that is truly one banger after another. You really need to watch this more than once to see how technical these tricks are. Don’t blink an eye ’cause you’ll miss something.

Posted in Cycle, Out There, Videos | Tagged BMX, Chad Kerley, edit, frameset, Grind, Premium Products, street, technical, woodward | Leave a comment

Off The Hook Chris Akrigg Riding Action

Posted on May 16, 2013 by Ian Eglitis

Chris Akrigg is truly a master of riding a bicycle. From a downhill rig to a mini bike, Akrigg slays it with incredible style. Check out this awesome video of Akrigg charging on many different types of bikes. Highlights of this video include a nasty singletrack climb and an amazing stunt on a concrete pipe around min 5:05.

Posted in Cycle, Out There, Videos | Tagged Chris Akrigg, DH, fixie, mini bike, mongoose, Singletrack, trials, XC | Leave a comment

Hold Your Breath Underwater Two Minutes Longer

Posted on May 15, 2013 by Grady Marold

Ever been pinned down through a double set? Tossed and sent over the falls only to come up frantic and gasping for air? Hold your breath. Kirk Kracks’s got the solution.

The Oakley surf team recently took a class from renowned breath holding expert Kirk Krack to learn how to keep their cool and hold their breath for an extended period of time, particularly in high stress, emergency situations.

Whether you surf, kayak, or just love the water, you’ll be sure to learn a thing or two from Kirk Krack and the Oakley team in this video.

Posted in Clymb Life, Out There, Surf, Videos | Tagged breathing, Oakley, ocean, surf, surfing, survival | Leave a comment

6 of the Coolest Characters You’ll Meet Outdoors

Posted on May 15, 2013 by Hope Gately

If you spend enough time in the great outdoors, you’re sure to meet a few characters. Outdoorsmen and women are tough, funny, rugged, sexy, and exciting. Moreover, they each have their own individual flavor. Hang out with this motley crew and you’re likely to become an outdoor character yourself.

1. The “Imma Carry a Brick Up This Mountain” Guy
When scaling mountains, there always seems to be that guy who has the urge to carry something ridiculously heavy to the summit. For example, a 30lb cinder block, a keg of beer ( be sure to make friends with this guy), or a corn-hole set to play at the top. These tough as nails, though perhaps somewhat insane, characters aren’t having any fun at all unless they’re testing their mettle, drinking, and making merry in the outdoors. Even if it means turning themselves into pack mules to do it.

2. The Ultimate Outdoorsy Family of Badasses
We often think that getting married and having a family resigns people to ultimate lameness. You’ll think twice when you meet Mom on her snowboard teaching a 4 year-old about her toe edge and Dad taking some sweet runs with a toddler on his back. So the next time you go hatin’ on the family life, remember that there are both men and women out there running up mountains with 2-3 children dangling from their bodies, strapped on by various carabiners and daisy chains. No joke.

3. The “Paint With All The Colors of the Wind” Hot, Hippie, Chick
She’s tan, toned, pickin’ flowers, and ready to tell you all about Leave No Trace. Hot hippie chicks abound in the outdoors (The author of this post just happens to be one of them…wink, wink) and these gals will go fishin’ with you, hike a trail, hunt for mushrooms, and leave you with a deep sense of appreciation for the wilderness.

4. Barefoot Trail Running Dude
So, apparently barefoot trail running is a thing now. It’s not everyone’s “thing”, but it’s a thing nonetheless. And, even though people hate on it quite a bit, we must admit that these characters are pretty cool cats. They feel more connected to the earth by passing on the kicks and believe in “low-impact” outdoorsing. To that we say, “Run, strange shoeless dude! Run!”

5. Shotgun in Your Face Old Codger
Every now and again you’ll stumble onto private property and wind up with a shotgun in your face. At the end of the barrel will most likely be an old codger just tryin’ to protect his territory from trespassers. If you apologize real nice, he might just invite you to his home for some coffee and tell you about his time in the war. Take him up on it. Old codgers are pretty cool.

6. The “She’s So Knowledgeable about the Outdoors It Puts Me to Shame” Gal
Her knife is probably better than yours (assuming you have a knife), she knows how to use it, and she can also tell you how to navigate any survival situation. Her favorite pair of shoes are waterproofed, steel toed hiking boots, and her evening attire consists of trail pants and a backcountry pack.

Posted in Out There, Passions | Tagged outdoors | 4 Comments

How to Build a Trail Sustainably

Posted on May 14, 2013 by Steve Andrews

If you plan on spending any time whatsoever off concrete, odds are that you will be walking on a trail. If you aren’t walking on one, any repeated crossing on the same ground will, in fact, yield a trail sooner or later. If built right, trails can last indefinitely. The key phrase here is “built right.” If it is built poorly, then trails can have a very damaging effect, eroding the surrounding environment.

With the right preparation and care you can build a trail that can handle hikers, bikers, horses, and anything else that can tread on dirt. A few simple tips will mean the difference between erosion and permanent enjoyment.

Step 1: Know your slope

If you think about the slope of a trail, you may think simply about the direction people will be walking/biking etc. But the angle of the fall line, or basically the slope that water flows, is very important to the trail that crosses the slope.

Any trail that follows the fall line will not be a trail for long. The slope will just attract water and that will become the next river/creek/stream etc down the hill.

The main rule to follow is the half rule. The half rule is simple: a trail’s angle (grade) can be no more than the grade of the slope it is crossing. So if the hill you are on has a 30 degree slope, your trail can have no more than a 15% grade for it to last.

The other key is to have the downhill side of your trail slightly lower than the uphill side, so that any water can continue to run down the hill. Doing the opposite is a surefire way to become a mud magnet.

Step 2: No shortcuts allowed!

If anyone has ever told you to “take the path of least resistance”, it was probably meant figuratively. But in life everybody will take the literal “path of least resistance” if they can. This means cutting corners and switchbacks, or taking a better route around a rock/tree if the trail is not easiest. It is for this reason that you need to be thinking 5 steps ahead, and working alongside the terrain’s natural ebbs and flows.

If a certain route can’t be avoided but you are sure that the route will be compromised, it might be a good idea to put some obstacles in the way, such as a dead log, rock (or a collection of rocks), or other items that would deter people from veering off the path.

Step 3: Stunts are your friend!

This applies mostly to mountain bikes, but can also apply to walking trails – albeit on a much less “gnarly” scale. But if there is sensitive terrain such as a wetland, marshy bit, or water crossing, you can mitigate the human erosion factor by building some fun features such as a ladder or rock bridges, platforms, teeter totters, etc… anything that keeps the trail user(s) from interacting with the ground.

For a hiking trail a simple boardwalk can suffice. It is relatively easy to construct, and depending on the jurisdiction you live in, you can likely use dead wood lying near the trail to make the ultimate in sustainability.

There are many other methods for building a sustainable trail, and I recommend the book Trail Solutions: IMBA’s Gudie to Building Sweet Singletrack, put out by the International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA). It is easily the best resource out there, despite it’s limited availability.

Hope to see you out on the trails! Remember to check with the local authorities before building your masterpiece.

Posted in Hike, Out There, Tips | Tagged building a trail, trail sustainability, trails | Leave a comment