When it comes to fueling my kids before and during a big hike or paddle, there are a few things I like to focus on. And today I’m going to share those things with you, along with some helpful tips. So you can power not just your kids, but your entire family to make outdoor adventuring even more enjoyable. 

Think About Healthy Snacks for Kids in the Right Food Groups

The very first thing I like to think about is food groups. And whether my kids are getting enough fruits, vegetables, meat, and carbohydrates. 

Whenever we are heading off on an outdoor adventure that requires energy or endurance, I always like to make sure that my kids have snacks—especially fruit—on hand to give them quick bursts of energy. 

Over the years, we’ve found that when our kids hit a low, it’s really helpful to have an apple, an orange, or just something with a high sugar content to perk them up and give their bodies the energy they need to keep on pushing. 

Having these easy-to-eat snacks on hand has overall made a huge difference to our adventures. And that’s mainly because they allow our kids to hike, bike, or paddle a little further. 

Timing is Everything

Another tip that can really change the game when fueling kids for adventure is timing. And by timing, I mean not waiting until your kids say they’re hungry.

Kids often won’t say they’re hungry until their energy levels are already dropping. So, if i’ve noticed my kids have already been active for an hour or two, then I'll go ahead and stop what we’re doing for a snack break. 

If I wait until the point where my children are saying that they’re hungry, then it usually means I’m hungry, tired, and I want to stop. 

Reigning it in a bit earlier and giving them the boost they don’t even know they need means we can continue on with our adventure. And we don’t need to wait longer periods of time for them to re-energize. 

Get a Good Night’s Sleep

Having a good night’s sleep is really important in terms of getting out and adventuring. And to help this, I highly recommend eating a little earlier.

Eating earlier means your kids are able to fully digest what they’ve eaten, which, in turn, leads to a better night’s sleep. 

I know it can be hard to plan meal times when out adventuring. But just thinking about nearby restaurants or whether you can stop for a picnic en route before heading back to your campsite can ultimately give your kids the best chance at sleeping soundly through the night. 

Drink Plenty of Water

I can’t emphasize enough the importance of water in regards to fueling your kids for adventure. Like food, if you wait for your kids to tell you they’re thirsty, they’re already at the point of dehydration. So, one thing we found that helped us get our kids to drink more water is having them carry their own water bladders. 

There are various brands out there that make water bladders that kids can carry. And just by having a straw and easy access to water, your kids can constantly rehydrate throughout your adventure. 

Even from when my daughter was young, we’ve attached a bladder to her backpack. So, instead of having to stop and get a water bottle out every time she was thirsty, she could just flip her straw and take a sip. 

Make Food Fun

And my last tip is to make food fun. When you’re out adventuring with your kids, they’re already doing a ton of new things. So standard food just isn’t going to excite them. 

I always like to take along a treat like a bar or a brownie, something that’s special and fun. Through our own adventures, I’ve learned to never underestimate the joy that food can bring to your family. And that's especially true when you’re out burning physical energy. 

For me, I absolutely love eating biscuits. And when I’m out on a hike, there really is nothing that makes me happier than enjoying a special biscuit. 

So think about a food that will really excite your kids and just watch their mood change in an instant. 

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Don’t forget to check out our YouTube channel, Great Family Adventure. And keep an eye out for more awesome videos we’ll be publishing shortly.

If you enjoyed this article and are hungry for more family adventure tips, tricks, reviews, and adventures, head on over to the Great Family Adventure YouTube channel and feel free to sign up for our Hazeadventure.com newsletter.

Clothing: Cotopaxi Fuego Down Kids jacket, Cotopaxi Teca Calido Reversable Kids Jacket,  Cotopaxi Fuego Hooded Down Jacket, Cotopaxi Trico Hybrid Women's jacket, Cotopaxi Trico Hybrid Women’s Jacket, Cotopaxi Do Good Kid's Trucker Hat
Portable Fire Pit: LavaBox
Sunglasses: Wiley X

The post Fueling Kids for Adventure: Tips and Healthy Snacks for Kids in the Outdoors! appeared first on Hazeadventure.

Our mission at Great Family Adventure is to encourage, inspire, and empower people to get outside. As a family-based platform, we think it’s important for us to continue exploring outdoors with kids.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed and you’re struggling to get your kids out of the house, here are some great tips and tricks that should help. 

Get Involved in Unstructured Play

I recently found out that the average kid spends three to four minutes a day in unstructured playtime outside, and to me, that’s just mind-boggling. I grew up in the outdoors, and for my kids, I try really hard to get them to spend at least an hour a day outside doing unstructured play. 

The reason why unstructured play is so great for kids is that it develops creativity within them. When kids are bored, they have to use other parts of their brains to come up with ideas and things to do, so even when you’re outside, and you’re saying you’re going for a hike or a bike, try not to set destinations so your kids can enjoy the moment and become creative in their surroundings. 

If you’re overwhelmed at the idea of trying to get your kids involved in unstructured outdoor play for an hour a day, start off small. Set aside 10 minutes and work up to 15 minutes, and so on. Like many things, it gets easier the more of a habit it becomes, so definitely consider unstructured play as part of your day, as it makes everyone happier and more excited to eventually get outside. 

Don’t Overthink the Weather

It’s easy to get the thoughts in your mind of what if it rains and what is the weather? But if you’re simply at home and in your own area, you can easily throw on coats and jackets so the kids can get out the door to discover things on your own street. 

If you don’t have access to a park or greenspace close to home, then consider making it a plan for sometime in the week to travel somewhere where your kids can explore and take part in unstructured play.

I’ve found over the years that the best way to get outside is to just start small. It doesn’t have to be hard, and by starting small, you’re developing positive habits, and you’ll already be above the average by spending just 10 minutes outdoors. 

Take Snacks and Water

I always take a snack and water with me everywhere we go because sometimes adventures take a lot longer than you first anticipate. Your kids can easily get carried away when they’re outside, and if they’re really enjoying their time and discovering new things, it’s best to be prepared by carrying snacks and water along the journey with you. 

Don’t Underestimate Your Surroundings

Another tip for getting your kids outdoors is to not underestimate what's around you. So often, you’ll drive by the same area and not slow down or appreciate the little things in that region. By going for a walk, or just by going for a bike ride somewhere, your kids will find more beauty in the places you usually drive straight past. 

Once you start to explore by foot, you’ll begin to notice things that you’ve never noticed before. So, no matter where you are, whether it's a Walmart parking lot or a beautiful stretch of woods, commit to actually getting outside to go on a walk or a leisurely bike ride. 

Give Your Trip Outdoors a Reason

One more pointer when you’re trying to get your kids outdoors is to think about the reason why you’re doing it in the first place. Often, we’re trying to get to a specific place, like a waterfall or other point of interest. I've found, however, that when we do that, it puts a lot of pressure on the kids. 

When I get my family outside, my main goal is for my kids to simply enjoy being in the outdoors. So, if I’m hustling my kids through the experience, we’re missing out on a lot of opportunities for them to connect with nature. 

I encourage you to rethink the motivation behind your time outdoors, and to relieve the pressure you put on yourself and your kids. That pressure will get in the way of your kids enjoying their time outdoors. Instead, try saying to your kids “we don’t know how far we’re going today, we’ll just go as far as we want”. That way, everyone in the family will be more relaxed and able to focus on simply enjoying their time outdoors. It's my belief that this approach will help encourage everyone to want to get out and explore the outdoors more often.

If you liked this article, check out some of the Top 5 Family Things to Do to get more specific on adventure fun!

Backpack: Cotopaxi Allpa 35L Travel Pack
Clothing: Cotopaxi Fuego Down Kids' Jacket, Cotopaxi Teca Cálido Reversible Kids' Jacket, Cotopaxi Fuego Hooded Down Jacket, Cotopaxi Trico Hybrid Women's Jacket, Do Good Kids' Trucker Hat
Food: BeanVIVO Baja Black Beans
Camera: GoPro Hero 10 Black
Sunglasses: Wiley X

The post Exploring Outdoors with Kids appeared first on Hazeadventure.

Last month, I and my good friend/fellow YouTube Backpacking Guru embarked on a 5-day, 50-mile, winter trudge across the Grand Canyon. Now, it would be an understatement to say this Grand Canyon winter backpacking trip did not go as planned. In fact, it turned out to be an epic hike that nearly killed Dan Becker.

But despite the challenges and the eventual rescue operation on the north side of the canyon, I dusted myself off, and returned on foot (and snowshoes) from whence I came. The comment section on the videos we both put out were flooded with questions and kind words regarding the incident, but I did also see some curiosity about the Rim to Rim to Rim trek itself.

The Right Gear for Grand Canyon Winter Camping

This is a bucket-list endurance challenge that many athletes take on each year. It usually just ends in a mix of plain old exhaustion and elation (not rhabdomyolysis). Success, apparently, requires a bit of luck. Also the tried and true act of preparation matters (something that is at least within the backpacker's realm of control).

I'm going to walk you through the contents of my 52-pound pack. In order to give you an idea of what this unique hike entails. Though I pushed on for the return journey. Hiking from one end to the other and then shuttling back is still one heck of an impressive trip. Whatever you're more drawn to, know that the gear situation will be very similar. Save for the extra food needed, for the additional days planned. 

For Grand Canyon winter backpacking, having the right gear is key.

Mystery Ranch Bridger 55

All the gear I'll be mentioning today fit into my rockin' new Mystery Ranch Bridger 55-Liter backpack. Its perfect for Grand Canyon winter backpacking. They have been a welcomed patron here at BackpackingTV/Hazeadventure.com for a long time. Mystery Ranch makes amazing backpacks that are not only wicked durable, but the most drop-dead comfortable packs on the market.

Carrying 52 pounds of gear for 50 steep winter miles was asking a lot from my pack. I'm so happy to report that I never had sore shoulders, or back pain. Or any of those things you might expect from hauling long days on a trek like the Rim to Rim to Rim. So if you are looking for a great day-hiking backpack, or something to check off those multi-day adventures with, head over to mysteryranch.com to check out the Bridger 55 or 65. 

My Sleep System for the Rim to Rim

I recently did a Fresh Gear Friday: Lightweight Backpacking Tent & New Gear of the Durston X-Mid Pro 1. I loved it after a basic overnight test, and I love it even more now after bringing it into and out of the Grand Canyon for 5 days. On top of being surprisingly effective in cold and windy conditions, this tent is super lightweight (16 ounces, or 17 if you include the MSR Blizzard Snow Stakes I packed), which saved my shoulders a lot of extra grief.

Lightweight Tent

Some people critique the “1-pound tent” claim by pointing out that trekking poles are required to set it up, but those are something I needed to bring along anyway. When logging huge ascents and descents, especially in the Grand Canyon when they come at you in massive doses of one or the other (variation can help spare the knees), then trekking poles are a huge asset.

If you add in significant levels of snow, then they become practically mandatory. So as far as I was concerned, there's no way I could have done any better than the Durston X-Mid Pro 1 in terms of the weight/functionality balance. 

Sleeping Bags, Pads at 14 Degrees

For my insulated sleeping pad, I opted to go with the Nemo Tensor (4.2 R-Value). This is another insanely packable piece of gear (you shall notice a trend emerge here pretty quickly!) – probably the lightest I would have felt comfortable going with, given the fact that I knew I would be sleeping on top of snow for a few nights. For me, it got the job done. But unfortunately for cameraman-extraordinaire, Jake, though he had the exact same air mattress, it failed in a way that was not repairable in the field.

To cap it all off, I cozied up in my Therm-a-Rest Parsec 0-degree sleeping bag. The coldest it got on this trip was maybe 14 or so degrees (Fahrenheit), and so I was well-protected. Always remember that the advertised tolerance does not necessarily reflect a reasonable comfort range. So a 0-degree bag on a 14-degree night, combined with a sleeping pad with a substantial R-Value, was exactly what I needed to keep my body recharging night after night. 

Grand Canyon Rim to Rim Winter Hike

There will be additional equipment requirements to a winter hike. When I went in February, there was a lot of snow and ice throughout the trail (especially in the shade or near dripping water on the North side). So having traction spikes or crampons is an absolute must. I would not have felt comfortable without the added grip.

Personally, I went with the Hillsound Trail Crampon and was very pleased with their performance. And because the snow could get quite thick in some areas, I also packed a pair of Hillsound Gaiters, which are my favorite gaiters I've ever used.

I like how they zip up, they're easy to connect, and they keep my shins dry. What else could the heart of a man desire? Maybe a lighter set up – this pair or pairs added at least a pound and a half (and every ounce counts) – but this was a demanding winter trip, so some concessions simply had to be made. 

Low Cut vs High Cut Boots

In terms of footwear, I went with a slightly unorthodox combo, or trifecta, actually. Dan and I elected to bring snowshoes, which we had to carry for 18 miles before they came into play (note: we went from South to North), but we were glad to have had them when push finally came to shove.

My main kicks were a low-cut Gore Tex hiking boot (AKU's Rocket DFS GTX), which I combined with a pair of Superfeet insoles to boost the cushioning and support. I passed on the classic, rugged hiking boots in an effort to keep my feet happy and my legs charging on, day after day.

Bister Management

I did end up getting a few blisters, but I chalk that up to the exceptional weight and tough, unstable conditions. I've logged a lot of miles in these shoes lately (even in the jungles of Peru) and have had minimal issues. So overall, I gave myself a pat on the back for my entire arrangement south of the knee. 

Food Management in the Grand Canyon

I also had to make careful considerations in regards to my cook set, in order to accommodate the winter climate. For example, I chose the Jetboil Fluxring Pot and MSR fuel, which I combined with the  Jetboil Minimo (just the stove part), because I needed a big cooking pot and efficient heat transfer in order to regularly melt snow.

Water Source Management in the Grand Canyon

Snow was essentially our only source of water for half of the trek, so I needed something that gave me good bang for my buck (even though it was bulkier and heavier than I would ideally have liked). Dan had a lighter setup, but it wasn't as efficient (i.e. much longer melting time).

On the south side of the canyon, where there was more flowing water, I used the Lifestraw Peak Squeeze Water filter to nix any potential impurities. I also brought along a standard Nalgene, which doubled as a hot water bottle at night. 

Hot tip: Fill your Nalgene with boiling water before crawling in your sleeping bag and you'll not only have a warm cuddle buddy, but also perfectly good, cooled-off drinking water come morning. 

And finally, because I felt like the de facto team leader for my video crew, I carried Sea to Summit Watercell X, to make sure that there was always sufficient hydration on hand. I didn't ever fill it all the way, but between that and my Nalgene, I typically had 3 liters strapped to my back at any given time. Having the perfect water set up keeps Grand Canyon winter backpacking safe.

Cooking on a Multi-day Backpacking Trip

I wish I could say I nailed everything to do with the entire cooking/water-making business, but I ended up packing waaaaaay too much fuel. As it turned out, I ended up lugging around about twice what we actually needed. I just didn't want to skimp and leave my crew without water. You live and you learn!

Food planning for a 5-day backpacking trip

Under normal circumstances, I'm a proponent of cooking delicious backpacking meals, with some assists from your preferred dehydrated/freeze-dried preparations. However, given the demands of hiking the Grand Canyon's Rim to Rim to Rim, and the extra weight necessary for doing so in the wintertime, I reverted back to things I knew were highly packable and nutrient-dense.

Most of my cooked meals across this 5-day adventure were taken care of by Pinnacle Foods The Italian sausage pasta dish being my absolute favorite freeze-dried dinner across any brand I've ever tried (and I've dabbled far and wide over the years). BeanVivo Three Bean Chili kept things deliciously simple on what was an incredible meal at rim-top! To bridge the gap in between stove time, I ate a lot of dried mangos and apricots, almonds, bars, etc. 

To claw back some weight savings, I also went with the UCO collapsible camp cup and the highly versatile UCO Spork. 

Hiking emergency kit

Along with my Adventure Medical Kits first aid, I stuffed in some Glacier Gel to fix up my blisters (in an oh so soothing way), a general patch kit (good for managing minor gear maladies), my trustee Vosteed Nightshade pocket knife (always seems to come in handy), and my Zoleo satellite communicator (good for firing off check-in texts when times are good, and then you never know when you'll have a harrowing Rescue in the Grand Canyon!).

Headlamps With Longevity are Key

Because of our unexpectedly long days trying to grind out the winter miles, I was thankful to have a more robust headlamp than I would normally pack simply for emergencies, or for bumming around camp after dark. The Ledlenser Neo 5R Headlamp ups the game with a heftier battery pack, which extends the duration and intensity of that beautiful guiding beam. 

What do you wear to hike the Grand Canyon's rim to rim?

I'll start with the nicknacks that served me well. Wiley X, sponsor of my Epic Trails series, makes my favorite pair of sunglasses, the WX Ovation. When hiking in and around the Grand Canyon, there are unbelievably exposed sections. Doing the Rim to Rim in the winter made eye protection even more important, since those UV rays bounce off all the fresh white snow and directly into your poor eyeballs.

I was also glad to have my Hestra Bike Ergo Grip Tactility Glove, for the task at hand. They cut the wind, let me get touchy-feely with the canyon walls, and they kept my hands warm. Another tiny consideration that is easy to overlook is the choice of belt. I like those stretchy ones that arcade ranger make because they move with the body and don't cause pressure points over time. 

Layering for Long Epic Grand Canyon Hikes

For layering on top, Cotopaxi had me locked and loaded. I started off with the moisture-wicking Liso Baselayer, stacked it up with the Otero Fleece full-zip hoody, and sealed in the warmth with the Fuego Hooded Down Jacket. The Fuego isn't the lightest down jacket on the market, but it is undeniably warm and competitively-priced – so that will please lots of backpackers out there.

Downstairs, I sported Fjallraven's Keb Trousers, a thick and warm, yet well-ventilated pant perfect for the tough conditions. I made due nicely with just the trousers while on the move, and then when I got into camp, I threw on some long johns. A slick wool beanie is also a must for me when hiking and/or camping in cooler conditions. 

How do you carry your camera backpacking?

I've made a habit of using the Hillsound Packstack Pro as my mock camera gear case. It's waterproof, lightweight, and once I stuff a bunch of clothes in there, there's plenty of padding to protect my baby. Getting all of the bare essentials inside of a backpack can be enough of a tetris game as is, without having to worry about additional equipment. So this is a nice two birds, one stone method for me. 

Backpacking Storage

This Packstack is all I need for storage, but for taking pictures on the fly, I've been digging the Hyperlite Mountain Gear camera pod. Keeping my camera around my neck, which this little guy is meant for, leads me to take significantly more shots than if I had to pause, take off my backpack, and rummage through some gear. Plus, by that point, interesting wildlife may have scurried off, or a cloud may have obscured that perfect but fleeting lighting.

Weight Management Lessons Learned

So that's the majority of the loadout I used for tackling the Grand Canyon's infamous Rim to Rim to Rim hike. Despite the unusual weight, I was very happy with my packing list, and how everything performed. With that said, I also learned a few valuable lessons. I definitely carried too much fuel, probably carried too much water, and even though I love my Grand Trunk Compass 360 Stool, I could have left it at home because all the Grand Canyon campsites have picnic tables. Oops. 

In Conclusion

I hope you enjoyed this article and are looking forward to hiking one of America's most iconic formations. Don't be deterred by Dan's scare. He lived to fight another day, and we both have come to realize what a freak incident that was, and how it can be avoided in the future. 

Backpack: Mystery Ranch Bridger 55
Tent: Durston X-Mid Pro 1
Sleeping Gear: Therm-a-Rest Parsec 0-degree sleeping bag, Nemo Tensor mat, Sea to Summit Aeros Down Pillow
Other Camping Gear: Sea to Summit Aeros Down Pillow, MSR Blizzard Snow Stakes, Adventure Medical Kits first aid
Top Clothing Layers: Cotopaxi Baselayer, Cotopaxi Otero midlayer, Cotopaxi Fuego Hoodie, Hestra Bike Ergo Grip Tactility Glove, Arcade Hiking Belt
Footwear: AKU's Rocket DFS GTX, Glacier Gel blister care
Camp Stool: Grand Trunk’s Compass 360 Degree Stool
Hiking Gear: Komperdell Explorer Contour trekking poles, Hillsound Trail Crampon, Hillsound Gaiters, MSR snowshoes, Superfeet Insoles
Camp Kitchen: Jetboil Fluxring Pot, Jetboil Minimo, MSR fuel, UCO collapsible camp cup, UCO Spork, Vosteed Nightshade pocket knife
Food: Pinnacle Foods backpacking meals, Beanvivo meals
Water Management: Lifestraw Peak Squeeze Water filter, Nalgene Water bottle, Sea to Summit Watercell X
Storage: Matador Flatpak drybag, Hillsound Packstack Pro, Hyperlite Mountain Gear camera pod
Electronics: Zoleo Satellite Communicator, Ledlenser Neo 5R Headlamp
Sunglasses: Wiley X

Train hard, pack smart, maybe wait for the fair-weather season, and you'll be all set! For more gear reviews and wild adventures, head on over to BackpackingTV.

The post Grand Canyon Winter Backpacking appeared first on Hazeadventure.

I have never traveled to this part of the US before. So I didn’t really know what to expect. I arrived in the middle of January, supposedly winter. And yet, it was raining. The winter wonderland that I expected had not yet arrived. This was going to be an interesting winter camping experience in West Virginia.

The Canaan Valley

I drove to Canaan Valley, in the north of West Virginia. Canaan Valley is where some of the East Coast’s best skiing can be found. So everyone here was feeling the longing for the temps to drop a few more degrees and have this dreary rain become beautiful, delicious snow.

While the snow eluded me overnight, I decided to drive up to West Virginia’s highest points, Spruce Knob and Bickle Knob. As I drove higher, up from the valley an additional 2,500 feet, the rain had indeed turned to snow overnight. I got out of the car and immediately felt the blast of cold air slap me in the face.

I had no idea that the mountains that John Denver sings about we’re, ahem, actual mountains. Spruce Knob, as it protrudes into the sky, was scraping the wind. The cold blasting the trees left behind amazing frost structures. The ice grew like a beard on anything facing east. Here was my first glimpse of a frosty east coast winter.

Atop Bickle Knob, the rays of sun pierce the clouds with glorious views of the surrounding landscape.

Hiking the Potomac Region

Driving through the Potomac region, the mountains and valleys are dense. You’re either going up or down. There are almost no flat or straight roads to speak of. As I drove through the valley, I saw a dramatic rise of sandstone, like a flapjack pancake stood on its side. These kinds of formations are rare, no matter where you are.

I couldn’t believe there was this dramatic flake of rock sticking high into the sky. It called to me, like any spire or spine of rock does, to go stand atop it. I set out from the trailhead and chugged my way up the trail.

Of course, standing on this knife edge ridge is not recommended for everyone. But for climbers or the vertically daring, it’s one of the most dramatic and beautiful sights. Walking atop the ridge is a mind-bending experience.

Winter Camping in West Virginia

While I had been hoping for a winter backpacking trip that involved snow, I was still keen to explore the vast wilderness area of the region. I met up with Brooke, a ranger for the US Forest service, to go backpacking into the Otter Creek Wilderness. Otter Creek is one of the larger wilderness areas on the east coast. Brooke and I followed the gorgeous namesake, Otter Creek, deeper into the mountains.

The front country disappeared immediately, and it quickly felt like we were remote and isolated. At last we stumbled into camp, just as darkness was setting in. One of our first tasks was to collect firewood. In my mind, a fire would be a necessary way to stave off the cold of the night. Brooke was dubious I could even start a fire in the first place. The recent rain had left everything completely soaked.

I busted out all my fire starting tricks I could muster. Eventually, we “successfully” lit a small fire that needed constant attention and emitted little warmth. This was a humbling experience.

Food is such a big part of winter camping. Good nutrition is always important, but even more so when it’s cold out and the body is fighting for warmth. In the morning I prepared coffee and burritos full of bacon, beans, veggies, and cheese. Excellent fuel to light the fire within.

Skiing in West Virginia

It wouldn’t be a complete trip to Canaan Valley without hitting the slopes. I met up with Don, the head of ski patrol and mountain operations, to get familiar with the mountain. Despite the lackluster snow, we had an amazing time. Despite the recent rain, the manmade snow was in good shape. I was flying down the hills and having a blast.

Exploring the New River Gorge, West Virginia

The New River Gorge is one of West Virginia’s best hot spots. With the recent designation of national park status for the New River Gorge, more people have been discovering a long-held secret. For those who love adventure, this is the place to be. The East Coast’s whitewater rafting and kayaking epicenter also happens to be home to incredible rock climbing, mountain biking, hiking, and just about everything you could ask for; especially winter camping in West Virginia.

With the change in location came a change in weather. A winter storm was making its way across the east, and with it came a blanket of snow. With the prior lack of snow, I had decided to go mountain biking.

So waking up to several inches of snow was a bit of a surprise. But apparently, that was just fine with Phil of Arrowhead Bike Farm, a literal farm and bike shop. Together we set out from the farm to ride some of the extensive trials in the area.

Within a couple minutes we were riding on pristine snow-covered trails in the national park. The forests were quiet and peaceful under the blanket of snow.

The New River Gorge is full of trails and adventures. But it’s also home to a feat of human engineering. The New River Gorge Bridge spans over a mile across the gorge and stands nearly 1,000 feet above the river below.

It’s a beautiful and iconic sight. The trail that Phil and I rode eventually led to a spectacular overlook, a prow of rock that stands directly across from the bridge, one of the best vantage points in the park.

The Waterfalls of West Virginia

West Virginia is for waterfall lovers. There are thousands of waterfalls across the state. As a landscape photographer, I was excited to visit as many as I could. Cathedral falls flowed dramatically down a sinuous chasm.

But my favorite was a visit to Babcock State Park, where an old grist mill still stands. The juxtaposition of the old, stone foundations and aged wood siding along the cascades of a beautiful river in the snow was simply incredible. I couldn’t help but run around excitedly taking as many photos as I could.

The Ace Adventure Resort

The next day, the winter storm had fully cleared. Everything was pristine and beautiful, a winter wonderland. The sun shone bright and cold, a perfect day for an adventure. I headed to Ace Adventure Resort, a literal playground of outdoor activities.

I wanted to test out the renowned zipline course that’s been built on an old converted mine. The course is built atop the edge of the gorge, so the views all along the way are incredible. With no leaves on the trees, the views were unimpeded and spectacular.

While it would take a lifetime to fully appreciate West Virginia and all it’s splendor, I now better understand the charms and charisma. Winter is a wonderful time to explore this place. When the fresh snow falls, it instantly turns into one of the most gorgeous landscapes around. And with hardly any crowds on the trails, it’s a perfect place to let those country roads take you home.

Previous Winter Camping Articles:
– Fresh Gear Friday: Lightweight Backpacking Tent & New Gear
– Winter Backpacking Mistakes
– Fresh Gear Friday: Cold Weather Backpacking Gear
– Fresh Gear Friday: Cold Weather Sleeping Bags and Other Gear

For more year-round backpacking adventures, head on over to BackpackingTV. 

Backpacks: Bridger 65 backpack, Bridger 35L daypack
Tent: MSR Access 1 4-Season tent
Sleeping Bag: Thermarest Parsec 0 degree
Sleeping Mat: Zenbivy Light Mattress
Camp Food: BeanVivo Three Bean Chili
Jackets: Cotopaxi Cielo Rain Jacket, Cotopaxi Fuego Hoodie
Fleece: Beyond Clothing Dawa Sherpa Fleece
Pants: Fjallraven Keb Trousers, Shadow Insulated Snow Pant
Footwear: Tundra Aerogel Booties by Outdoor Research, SuperAlp GTX by AKU
Camp Stool: Grand Trunk’s Compass 360 Degree Stool
Sunglasses: Wiley X

The post Winter Camping in West Virginia appeared first on Hazeadventure.