AllTrails, WTA, and agency ratings don't agree — and none of them account for what actually kills your plans. Here's the methodology for reading trail difficulty ratings intelligently before you commit.

Garrett VanceMarch 5, 2026

Fifty-three percent of U.S. hikers are now female — women aren't catching up to hiking culture, they built it. Here's the measurable record, from Bellingham's own Catherine Montgomery to the 2025 records still being processed.

Garrett VanceMarch 4, 2026

The calendar says spring, the sun is out, and you're already mapping your first big Cascades objective — but March and April are statistically the most dangerous months for backcountry travel in Washington. Here's the data, and here's what to do about it.

Garrett VanceMarch 3, 2026

The "never hike alone" rule is conventional wisdom — but SAR data and avalanche research tell a more complicated story. Here's what actually determines solo hiking risk, and the protocol that matters.

Garrett VanceMarch 3, 2026