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In our latest Campfire Conversations submission, where you can ask us anything about the outdoors, hiking, camping, traveling and more, Maria asked:

How do you build a fire for dummies? I'm an absolute beginner.

In our response, first you will hear from 52 Hike Challenge founder and seasoned camper Karla Amador on how to build a campfire safely and ethically. You will also discover her unique journey of using fire as a healing modality.

Then, you will also learn from 52 Hike Challenge content creator and nomadic camper Mandi Carozza on why a fire can make or break your experience outdoors. Hear how to recreate responsibly with fire so you don't put our forests at risk.

Spring is here, and so are the days of more sunlight and late sunsets. This means you have more time to get outside and crush your 52 Hike Challenge. That being said, there’s one spring-time obstacle that may still stand in your way.

As snow melts and spring showers pick up, you might encounter more mud on the trails. While muddy hiking trails aren’t the most desirable, these trail conditions are usually manageable. 

Don’t let a little mud stand in your way of finishing your 52 hikes. At the same time, don’t let a lot of mud become unsafe for you, your hiking buddies and the land around you.

In this blog, we teamed up with our partner Oboz Footwear to help you:

Plan and prepare for muddy trail conditions 

• Practice proper trail etiquette while hiking in the mud

• Know when to turn around instead of hiking on

• Clean muddy hiking boots and shoes

• Leave No Trace this spring season

• Learn how to prevent the spread of invasive species 

Get outside this spring and stay out longer with these helpful hiking tips.

‘Tis the season for more sunshine and time spent outside. It’s also the season for more mud and mosquitoes. But that shouldn't hold you back from continuing your 52 Hike Challenge.

In this Spring Hiking Guide, we’ll equip you with all the tips, tools and resources you need for hiking during this season of greener grass and blooming wildflowers.

From gearing up for the rain to repelling pesty insects and enjoying wildflower blooms responsibly, we’ve got you covered.

Whether you’re taking 52 hikes throughout the year or you’re crushing the 52 Hike Challenge Spring Series, this information will be helpful for you to enjoy the outdoors throughout the season.

Get ready to learn about rain gear, wildflower etiquette, mosquito deterrents and more!

 Is climbing Mount Whitney on your hiking bucket list?

As preliminary permits for Mount Whitney start to roll out, now is the perfect time to talk about how to prepare for conquering large peaks.

Get ready to discover:

• What makes Mount Whitney such a popular mountain to climb
• The process of scoring a permit to hike Mount Whitney
• How to plan, prepare and train for Mount Whitney
• When to turn around instead of hiking on
• Mount Whitney safety tips

Keep in mind climbing peaks takes time and determination — not just while you’re on the trail but well before you set out. 

In this guide, we put together an in-depth formula for how you can train for a successful summit on Mount Whitney, plus a whole lot more.

Do you like to wake up before the sun and start your hike in the crisp morning air? Or do you prefer to snooze your alarm and hit the trails later in the day to witness a painted sky sunset and see the stars?

Both times of day have their benefits.

When you hike in the morning, you can see the sunrise and hear the birds waking up with the day. You’ll enjoy cooler temperatures, and you’ll likely encounter less crowds. This means a better chance at scoring a parking spot at populated trailheads. Plus, you’ll have more daylight to take a full day hike. 

If you hit the trail in the evening, you’ll see sunset, and if you stay out into the night, you’ll enjoy lots of solitude while you gaze at the moon and stars. This hiking time also presents weekday hiking opportunities for those who have full time jobs, making the trails more accessible for those who work from 9 to 5. 

So, which hiking time do you prefer?

We teamed up with Oboz Footwear to ask YOU - our community - which time of day makes for a better hike: in the early morning or late afternoon? 

Read the blog to find out and get hiking tips for your morning & evening hiking adventures.

Are you always on the lookout for forest friends while hiking?

Whether you want to see wildlife or not, it’s important to remain aware of your surroundings so you don’t startle or get startled by a wild animal.

With recent reports of bison goring over-curious tourists and viral videos of mountain lions stalking hikers, we’d like to take a moment to educate you on what to do if you encounter wild animals while on the trail.

We share all of this not to scare you but to remind you that wild animals are just that: wild. They are unpredictable, and as hikers, we are visitors in their home.

Most times, wildlife sightings are a wonderful experience you’ll remember for the rest of your life. Witnessing wildlife from a distance can be incredibly moving. But when you get too close to wild animals, it can be unsafe for you, those around you, and for the animals in question.

Generally speaking, it’s always wise to maintain space between you and wild animals. Appreciate them from a safe distance the way nature intended. 

But what about when it’s too late to create space between you and the animal?

In this informational blog, you will learn:

• What is considered a “safe distance” away from animals
• How to minimize your risk of an animal encounter
• What to do if you encounter a wild animal
• What to do in the event of an animal attack

Not only will this information keep you and others safe, but it will positively impact the well-being and longevity of wild species.

Hiking year-round means you’ll encounter all the elements throughout your 52 Hike Challenge: you will have some sunny days and some rainy ones.

While you might find it more challenging to get outside when it’s cloudy or if precipitation is in the forecast, hiking in the rain can actually be a relaxing and enjoyable experience – with the proper preparation and gear.

This blog is dedicated to the days when you might make an excuse to stay inside, but these gear recommendations will change all of that. In fact, once you have rain gear, you might even look forward to the “less desirable” days on the trail.

In this rain gear guide, you will discover…

• What rain gear is and why it’s useful for your hiking challenge
• The difference between water resistant, water repellent & waterproof
• The anatomy of a rain jacket including layers and materials to look for
• Our favorite rain jackets for men and women
• Gear recommendations for gaiters, rain covers and much more
• Additional tips for what to wear in wet conditions

Now it’s time to gear up so you can stay dry while hiking towards 52. 

Are you giving your hiking gear the care it deserves?

You're going to be using your hiking boots, shoes and other hiking gear a lot during the 52 Hike Challenge – with a full year of weekly hikes (52 to be exact), your gear will be getting a lot of love!

This means your hiking gear will naturally wear and start to lose its waterproofing. But this doesn’t mean it’s time for new gear — it simply indicates it’s time for you to give it a glow up.

When you regularly clean and re-waterproof your gear, you extend its life expectancy so you can use it on many more hiking adventures to come.

Not only will this save you the money of buying all new gear (we know how quickly it adds up), but it will also help you recreate in a sustainable way.

So, how can you keep your gear clean and maintain its optimal water repellency? 

In this new hiking blog, you will discover:

• The importance of cleaning water repellent gear 
• Tips and tricks for extending the life of your waterproof hiking gear 
• What DWR is and how it works on your technical gear
• How and when to reapply DWR to your gear
• How to use technical cleaning & waterproofing products

And more!

We heard you might be looking for a new pair of hiking boots or shoes. Good news: we partnered with Oboz Footwear to answer your questions about selecting the right hiking footwear for you.

Whether you’re a seasoned hiker or you’re brand new to our favorite pastime, this blog will help you understand which shoes and boots will work best for your specific hiking needs.

Get ready to learn how to select the most supportive and comfortable hiking footwear for you.

When you’re hiking uphill, do you ever wish you had an extra boost? Do your knees ever hurt when you’re going down the mountain? Do you want to transform your 52 hikes into a full body workout?

If the answer is yes to any of these questions, trekking poles are a great gear investment for you.

If you don’t have any experience with trekking poles or if you’re curious to learn more about their significance, you’ll find out everything you need to know in our latest hiking blog.

Get ready to learn…

• What trekking poles are
• Who can benefit from trekking poles
• How to use trekking poles for hiking
• The many types of trekking poles
• Trekking pole gear recommendations 

Whether you want to get your arms involved in your 52 hikes or if you’re in need of a little more support for your lower body, trekking poles will be a friend to you.

Are you the best dressed on the trail? We’re not talking about looking fashionable while hiking – we’re referring to wearing layers so that you can keep hiking in all kinds of weather.

Since the 52 Hike Challenge runs all year long, you’ll be hiking in every season. This means your layering system will vary depending on the time of year. Whenever you step foot outside for a day in the outdoors, you’ll want to ensure you’re wearing a solid system of layers. 

In this blog, we will discuss hiking clothing and how to layer strategically so you always stay comfortable on your 52 hikes. You will get hiking outfit ideas for every season, and you will learn how to layer for optimum protection from the elements.

Get ready to discover:

• The importance of layering for hiking
• The main hiking layers to wear on the trail
• Tips for layering in every season, including winter hiking layers
• Layering systems for cold weather, warm weather, wet weather and more
• Hiking clothing recommendations for every layer 

Step into nature with your four-legged hiking buddy and enjoy all the benefits!

When you bring your dog, cat, goat, hedgehog, etc. on your hikes, it can be a very special and rewarding experience for both of you. It will be difficult to tell who loves it more — you or your pet!

Have you hiked with a pet before? Do you know the dos and don’ts of bringing pets on the trail?

In order for hiking with dogs and other pets to be enjoyable, it’s important for you to be informed. In this blog, you will learn how to hike with your pet responsibly. 

Keep yourself, your pet, and others safe by learning The Dos and Don'ts of Hiking With Pets right now.