«Who’s There?»: Irrational Fear in the Mountains

In the previous articles of this series, we talked about why solitude in the mountains is a conscious choice, went over general safety rules, what to do “when things go wrong”, and discussed how to behave when encountering wild animals.
But let’s be honest: the scariest “beast” in a solo hike is our own imagination. And the fear it creates is often irrational. Logic is powerless here.

Alone in Trouble: What to Do When Everything Goes Wrong?

Imagine the worst‑case scenario: you’re alone in the mountains. You get caught in a prolonged downpour, a mudslide sweeps down, or you simply lose the trail. Your smartphone is smashed or drowned, your map is gone, there’s no signal. You don’t know exactly where you are, and there’s no one to expect help from. At that moment, your life depends on only one person—yourself. There’s no room for illusions.

Wild Animals: How to Avoid Becoming "Dinner" and Part Ways in Peace

Many beginners haunt their own imaginations with grisly scenes: hungry wolves lying in ambush or a bear specifically stalking a tourist around the next bend in the trail. Let me ease your mind: you are not on the menu. To a wild animal, a human is a strange, loud creature that smells like "chemicals" (laundry detergent, deodorant, or a gas stove). In 99% of cases, animals scent you from hundreds of meters away and quietly slip into the brush. They want to meet you even less than you want to meet them.

Proper Nutrition During a Mountain Hike: What Foods to Take for a Mountain Hike

Mountain hiking is an activity that requires a lot of physical effort, and therefore proper nutrition in the mountains is crucial for a successful hike and maintaining health. To provide the body with the necessary nutrients, it is important to choose the right foods and diet. In this article, we will discuss what kind of nutrition is required for a mountain hike, what foods are most suitable for this type of diet, and how to use them properly.

How to Quickly Start a Fire on a Hike Without Firestarter

When you go on a short hike or a picnic, you might run into a situation: you have firewood, you have matches or a lighter, but you have no firestarter. All your food is packed in plastic bags, and you don’t even have a newspaper.

Camping Light from a Phone and a Water Bottle

On a camping trip — or even at home when the power goes out — you might need some decent lighting. Everyone has a flashlight on their phone, but holding it in your hand isn’t always convenient. You just want the light to be there, illuminating the space around you. That’s useful both in the wilderness and in the city.

Anatomy of Mountain Boots: From Hiking to Mountaineering

When choosing gear for a mountain hike, special attention should be paid to a few key items. Footwear is one of them. What you put on your feet determines whether your trip becomes a painful struggle against discomfort or an adventure where nothing distracts you from the beauty around you. Blisters, sore feet, wet socks—all are consequences of poorly chosen boots.

Anatomy of a Hiking Backpack: Types, Designs, and Purpose

A backpack is the first thing that comes to mind when you think of hiking. It doesn’t matter whether you’re heading to the mountains, the forest, a long journey, or just a city sightseeing tour. Nothing better has been invented for carrying your gear, so backpacks are used literally everywhere: school, work, daily commutes, walks. As a result, the market is flooded with options, and it’s worth knowing which backpack to take where.

How to Choose a Tent for Mountain Hiking: Criteria and Parameters

Choosing a tent for a hiking trip is a serious matter. But if you don’t go to the mountains very often, it usually ends up with you taking whatever tent you can get. Especially if you don’t have your own and have to borrow from friends. Hardcore hikers are a different story—they usually have several tents for all kinds of conditions. Honestly, I’m not one of them, even though having a blog makes many people think otherwise.