Oscar Hikes

Ever find yourself scratching your head about what’s what when it comes to hitting the trails? If you’ve ever asked “what is the difference between hiking and…

Asking what is the longest hiking trail in the world opens up a fascinating discussion, and the answer isn’t as simple as picking one single path. It often…

Are army boots good for hiking? That’s one of those questions that sounds simple but actually depends on what kind of hiking you’re doing and what you’re…

I remember the exact moment I realized that being “sort of fit” and being “trail fit” are two completely different things. It was a muggy September morning in the Appalachians. I was about four miles in on what looked like a manageable out-and-back. My legs were done. Not tired — done. I sat on a … Read more

I remember the exact moment I knew this was different. It was day three on a long trail. My feet hurt in ways I hadn’t felt before. My pack — way too heavy — was digging into my shoulders. I stopped on a ridge, looked back at how little ground I’d covered on the map, … Read more

I still remember the first time I stood at a trailhead with no idea what I was doing. My shoes were wrong, my bag was too heavy, and I wasn’t even sure if what I was about to do counted as “real” hiking. I just knew I wanted to get outside and walk somewhere that … Read more