Outdoors Skill Building

Maybe you're like me: obsessed with being a better hiker, a more capable outdoors person. Outdoors skill building is a hobby, and if I had more time to devote to it, would be number one on my list of ways to be a better hiker.

But let's be reasonable. We all have time constraints, right? Work, family, school, and other interests all demand our time and attention. But there are ways to devote attention to skill building activities which can be fit into any schedule.

I'm speaking specifically about free on line resources and tutorials.

By making a wish list of outdoors skills you want to develop, you can prioritize your time and whet your appetite for a deeper knowledge base. Then you can delve in deeper, or not, depending on your preferences.

For example, maybe you've never gone snowshoeing and would like to try it this winter, but avalanche safety concerns you. Good point! No use getting yourself into trouble by venturing out onto snow which is unstable. But how do you begin learning about snow safety?

Another example: How would you keep yourself safe and out of trouble if you got delayed on your return trip to the trail head? I know hikers whose greatest fear is being alone, at night, in the woods.

I'd love to be able to help you develop your outdoors skills, and in fact outdoors skill building would make a fine excuse to meet each other and spend some time on the trail, wouldn't it? But let's do the virtual version. Here's a suggested list of resources for you to dip into in order to begin working your way through outdoors skill building activities. I'll add to this list as I find more great sources of knowledge for you.

In no particular order, here are my suggestions for on line tutorials, videos, mini-course, and other ways to explore building some outdoors skills to make you a stronger, smarter hiker:

That should be plenty of options to get you going! I'll be adding more options as I troll through cyberspace in search of good sources of knowledge for you. And I welcome your suggestions, which I'd love to share here for others to benefit from. It's just one way of being a good (virtual) trail buddy!

Outdoors skill building takes time and commitment, there's no way around it. Here are more hiking considerations for you to choose from.