Together with

The 7 Principles of ‘Leave No Trace’

For anybody who enjoys spending time outside, it’s important to understand how to care for our public lands and wild spaces. This is the purpose of conservation, but as outdoor enthusiasts, it’s important to play our individual roles in protecting the places we recreate. The most effective way to do this is by following Leave No Trace.

Leave No Trace is a set of guidelines and principles that help outdoor recreationalists understand their part in keeping wild spaces wild. The purpose of Leave No Trace is to reduce the long-term impact that our presence in the outdoors can have on our public lands.

Here’s is your guide to fully understanding Leave No Trace, so that you can do your part too.

Together with Inside Hotels

Hotels We Love: Blind Tiger Burlington

Looking for a unique Northeastern getaway? Nestled in historic Burlington Heights, this boutique hotel is a tribute to the vibrant spirit of Vermont. Built in 1881, the grand brick mansion greets guests with striking interior spaces, each decorated with more than 75% handmade, antique, and unique furnishings plus works of art collected over the past decade. Wake up in your room overlooking the Adirondacks and Lake Champlain, then wander down tree-lined streets to explore local gems courtesy of your room’s unique local host. Cap off the day with a drink from the barroom, enjoyed by the fireplace on the eight-piece 1970s Swedish leather sectional.

The Best Places to Get Outside Near Portland, Oregon

Portland, Oregon is known for its art culture, food scene, and gorgeous city parks, but it’s also known for being one of the best outdoorsy big cities in the United States.

The city of Portland is located in northwestern Oregon, right on the Columbia River. This puts it right on the state line, across from Washington, and due to its location, many of its residents rave about how accessible outdoor recreation is from the city.

With so many different landscapes just a short drive away from Portland, getting outdoors here is the easy part—choosing where to go is harder when you have so many options. These are the best places to get outdoors near Portland, Oregon any time of year.

‘Ambushed’: Mountain Lion Stalks Hiker and His Mom in Northern Californiae

A hiker in northern California says a mountain lion stalked him and his mother after the animal “ambushed” them on a trail in Sonoma County. That’s just north of the San Francisco metro area. On Instagram, the hiker who goes by Wild Wild Rocks described a chaotic scene when he turned and locked eyes with a cougar.

“I heard a twig snap. As I turned my head, a full-grown cougar was lunging out of the brush towards us. I didn’t really have time to think. It was fight, flight, or freeze,” he wrote in his post. “It all happened so fast, but I reacted without haste. Arms up, primal yell and quickly advanced towards the cat. One more step by either of us, and I was in for some battle wounds. Maybe fatal ones.”

Take a look at the clip, which the hiker recorded just moments after the initial interaction:

The Packing List

Featured Guide: The Best Camping Flashlights You Can Buy Right Now

Some of the best parts of camping happen after dark. Cooking up a campfire culinary masterpiece or finally getting some quiet reading time can make a day of hiking worth the effort. If you forget your flashlight or find out too late that the batteries are dead, a fun camping trip can turn rustic in a hurry. That’s why we don’t just grab a light out of the junk drawer and call it a day; we pack the best camping flashlight we can get our hands on.