I hike, and I write down what works.
Outdoor Mystery started as a few notes in my pack and turned into the site you are reading. The goal has not changed. Keep track of what works on the trail so the next hike goes a little better.
How this started
I took my first proper hikes in 2018, around Bakersfield, California. I was not good at it. Wrong boots, too much weight, and a couple of trips cut short because I ran low on water or daylight.
So I started writing things down. What I wore, what I carried, and what I wished I had left in the car. Over a few seasons those notes became guides, and the guides became this blog.
I still get out most weekends I can. Some days it is a long climb. Most days it is a few quiet miles close to home. I come back from all of them with something worth sharing.
None of this is about being the fastest or going the farthest. It is about getting outside more often, and getting home glad you went.
A few from recent hikes
How I write about gear
Everything here is written by me. No team, no ghostwriter, and no brand deciding what I say.
When I point you to a piece of gear, I have either used it out on the trail or read enough to trust it. If I have not tried it myself, I say so.
Some links earn me a small commission if you buy through them. It costs you nothing extra, and it never changes what makes the list.
Come find a trail
New here? The trail guides are a good first stop, and the Skills hub is built for beginners. If you just want to say hello, the contact page is one click away.