Articles by Brian J. Lane

Staying Safe while Hiking Grand Canyon
The Grand Canyon is an inverted mountain sinking over 5,000 vertical feet in depth. It is 18 miles wide, 277 river miles long, and the remote North Rim is...
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The Ten Essentials
Okay folks. If we’re going to go out and enjoy the great outdoors, we’ll need to start with the ten essential items...
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Hiking in the Summer Heat
Special care must be taken when hiking in the high temperatures produced in the desert southwest. The effects of simple dehydration and prolonged exposure...
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Staying on the Desert Trail
Hiking in the desert southwest is very different from any other area of the country. In most climates the trail travels through...
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Leave No Trace Philosophy
In my book, Hikernut’s Grand Canyon Companion, I included the following quote...
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Your First Family Outing
Nowadays children just don’t have the same opportunities to get out and enjoy nature...
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Hiking with Your Dog
Taking your pup out on the trail with you can be a wonderful experience. But, before taking your dog out on the trail you should ensure their...
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Problems:

Snake Bite
The southwest does harbor quite a few poisonous critters, including rattlesnakes. While these are some of the most venomous creatures in the country...
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Treating Blisters
One of the most common maladies that befall hikers is the onset of one or more blisters on your feet...
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Surviving Lightning
Second only to flash floods, lightning kills more people each year...
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Water Intoxication
In talking with a Grand Canyon park ranger at Phantom Ranch, I was told that...
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Cactus Spines
I moved to the desert over sixteen years ago and quickly learned that almost everything in the desert tries to stick you. Yucca spikes, prickly pear cactus...
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Equipment:

About Backpacks
Backpacks are, of course, one of the most basic pieces of equipment that we use when hiking...
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Tents
The tent is one of the most basic (and expensive) pieces of gear that most any camper or overnight hiker will purchase. Your tent is your temporary shelter...
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Using Trekking Poles (AKA Hiking Sticks)
I use hiking sticks almost every time I hike. I know…you’ll hear people call them “ski poles” and make dumb comments sometimes, but they literally take...
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What is P.L.B.?
Wilderness hiking and backpacking excursions can be some of the most moving, meaning filled and thoroughly enjoyable experiences of our lives...
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A New Trend for Water Bottles
There is a new trend in water bottles. It’s a movement akin to bringing your own canvas grocery bags to the store, or using your own mug at the local coffee...
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Misc:

Outdoor Survival Fundamentals
How many times have you heard someone make a statement similar to the following...
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Water Purification
Many people see clear water in a wilderness area, and believing it is safe...
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Favorite Phoenix Metro Area Hikes
Back in the early nineties, before moving up to northern Arizona, I spent a couple of years in the Valley...
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Outdoor Digital Photography - Pt 1
The digital revolution in cameras has been nothing but stunning...
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Outdoor Digital Photography - Pt 2
When purchasing a point-and-shoot digital camera, you’ll want one that employs...
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