Hey All, Matt here!

Now I know what you’re thinking, “Don’t you have an airstream to build?” Don’t remind me, cause yeah I know.

But since it’s Spring here in New England it’s getting to be that prime hiking weather which is probably my favorite outdoor activity to do.

If you’re new to hiking (or not) here are some helpful tips I wish I knew when I first got into hiking.

(estimated reading time: 3 minutes and 36 minutes)

IN THIS NEWSLETTER..

• 🥾 Hiking 101
• 🙋🏻‍♂️ Matt's Hiking Gear
• ❤️ Watch Some of Our Favorite Hikes!
• 🌼 Airstream Update (BIG ONE!)

Hiking Tips for Beginners

Start slow and low

Start with a 1-2 mile trail with low moderation and build your way up.

Or don’t build up and just enjoy the beauty of nature however you want! (Respectfully of course).

AND REMEMBER TO STRETCH!

Hike with Proper Gear

Hiking is really about getting out in nature and it shouldn’t be so expensive, but hiking without proper shoes, clothes, and other gear can make your experience pretty crappy.

Remember, YOU DON’T NEED FANCY GEAR TO START.

When I first started hiking about 5 years ago I used my high school backpack, Nalgene water bottle, and sneakers.

Once you fall in love with hiking... get yourself some wool, crew or higher socks like Darn Tough Socks. When I first found these I couldn’t believe how expensive a pair of socks could be, but they are worth it!

For clothes, go for moisture wicking fabrics like wool and avoid ones that retain moisture like cotton.

I️ would also recommend investing in proper footwear. This is the biggest one.

Meghan has what she calls, wide jungle feet (her words not mine!) and has spent years looking for shoes that don't cause her pain.

As a size 5.5 wide, she hikes exclusively in Lems Chelsea Boots or Altra Lone Peak 8 Trail Runners. They're both wide toe box shoes, best for wide feet!

Me? I️ have a full list of my hiking gear below! 👇

Matt's Hiking Gear 🥾 Here's a comprehensive list of my hiking gear & packing list for short hikes to all day bangers! SEE THE LIST

Bonus Tip: REI GARAGE SALE

REI will resell returned items at a massive discount, put them in a corner of the store and call it the Garage Sale!

Sometimes the items aren’t in great shape, but they're still hoping to make a sale to someone brave enough to repair them.

We’ve gotten some amazing deals like 60% off a lightly used backpack, hiking poles, a brand new backpacking tent, and more!

Navigation

It’s 2024 and there are a ton of options out there for navigation.

1. Paper map and compass - At minimum, you should know how to generally read a map and operate a compass. Don't worry about it for short, well marked, flat paths. Your local outdoor store, visitor center (parks or towns) or REI will have local trail maps and books.
2. Digital Maps: My personal go-to is AllTrails Premium since it allows me to download offline maps and track my route as I go.
3. ​Garmin IN-Reach - This is a GPS tracking device with a pretty high upfront cost and requires a monthly subscription, BUT when we were out in Alaska and I was doing a lot of solo-hiking, it was great to have peace of mind that Meghan can save me from the Grizzlies if needed!

LEAVE NO TRACE PRINCIPLES (know and follow them)

Chances are you’ve heard of these 7 Leave No Trace (aka LNT) Principles, but in case you haven't here they are!

1. Plan ahead: You want to know expected incline, water crossings, the length of the hike and estimated completion time to pack and plan accordingly.
2. Travel on durable surfaces: Don’t wander off path, walk all over vegetation, or in the desert, walk on cryptobiotic soils.
3. Dispose of waste properly: Pack out all trash, and make sure if nature calls you’re far enough away from water sources.
4. Leave what you find: Even if it’s a cool rock, imagine if every visitor who went to Yellowstone annually took just one tiny rock. That would mean MILLIONS of rocks are removed which would make a significant impact.
5. Minimize campfire impacts: Know if there are fire restrictions, and make sure to keep all fires contained and under control.
6. Respect wildlife: Winnie the Pooh may have been a fluffy bear, but he kept that thing loaded, and any wildlife you may encounter on trail may react towards you if they feel threatened.
7. Be considerate of others: PLEASE for the love of all things holy don’t be that person who is playing music through speakers. Just don’t do it.

Know when to turn back

There’s no shame in not finishing a hike. What matters most is getting back home. Spring time means snow melts, fast moving water, and mud.

Some trails may be impassable, which is another reason I like AllTrails. You can check recent reviews and trail conditions even with the free version.

Other reasons to turn back:

1. You don’t have enough energy
2. You don’t have enough water
3. You don’t have enough food
4. There’s a water crossing you aren’t sure you can cross
5. Someone is giving you sketchy vibes
6. Your gut tells you to

That’s all I got, now go check out some nature responsibly and most importantly, HAVE FUN!

Matt 🙋🏻‍♂️

WATCH Some of our favorite hikes

Clicking on one of these videos will take you to our Youtube Channel(subscribe!).

Root Glacier in Wrangell St. Elias National Park & Preserve, Alaska

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Sunrise at Delicate Arch in Arches National Park, Utah

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Naches Loop Trail in Mt. Rainier National Park, Washington

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Airstream is Back Together With the weather warming up, we were finally able to get our airstream back together! Since we took it apart to repair the frame and replace the subfloor, our shell has been sitting outside, getting covered in snow! Since our last newsletter, we've put out a Youtube Video about using Coosa Board (stuff that will never rot) to replace our subfloor. You can watch that here.​ In our newest video, that 50 year old shell finally reunites with our new frame! Next, we're going to start installing units to the roof! (Can't give too much away!) WATCH OUR LASTEST YT VIDEO

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