All posts tagged: hiking

How I used Claude AI to plan an entire hiking trip to the Adirondacks in 30 minutes – for free

How I used Claude AI to plan an entire hiking trip to the Adirondacks in 30 minutes – for free

Published by skeptic

Lance Whitney / Elyse Betters Picaro / ZDNET Follow ZDNET: Add us as a preferred source on Google. ZDNET’s key takeaways Claude AI lets you connect to several third-party services. TripAdvisor, AllTrails, and Spotify are among the newest connectors. I used Claude and its connectors to plan an upcoming hiking trip. My wife and I like to travel, and I often use AI to help me plan a trip. Usually, I simply ask the chatbot to recommend local hotels and attractions. Though I’ve typically turned to ChatGPT and Gemini for this type of planning, another AI I’ve been using more frequently is Anthropic’s Claude. To help with certain requests, Claude offers a feature called Connectors, through which you connect to and work with third-party services. Also: I tested ChatGPT vs. Claude to see which is better – and if it’s worth switching Introduced in July 2025, Claude Connectors started with such external services as Gmail, Slack, and Canva. Since then, the AI has added additional services, mostly ones aimed at work- and finance-related activities. But on …

REI has more than 50 hiking pags, backpacks, and travel bags on sale for clearance prices right now

REI has more than 50 hiking pags, backpacks, and travel bags on sale for clearance prices right now

Published by Jenni Sidey

We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs. Learn more › Sign Up For Goods 🛍️ Product news, reviews, and must-have deals. You need the right gear if you’re headed outdoors, and you’ll need a reliable bag to hold it all. Right now, REI has 50+ packs and bags on sale , with discounts up to 50% off gear from Gregory, Osprey, NEMO, Herschel, and more. The best deals in the drop: the Gregory Baltoro 65 is down to $243.73 from $349.95, the Osprey Raptor Pro 18 hydration pack is $153.73 (was $280), and the NEMO Vantage 26 daypack is $108.73 (down from $199.95). Outlet stock doesn’t get restocked — when sizes and colors are gone, they’re gone. They’re all guaranteed great for lugging snacks on the trail. Gregory Baltoro 65 Pack (Men’s) $243.73 (was $349.95) See It If you’ve spent any time on gear forums, the Baltoro needs no introduction. This burly rig is one of the more consistently well-reviewed backpacking packs Gregory makes. Its buiit-in …

From gentle strolls to zipline thrills: summer hiking in the Swiss Alps | Switzerland holidays

From gentle strolls to zipline thrills: summer hiking in the Swiss Alps | Switzerland holidays

Published by Sam Flores

Thick grey-green mud squidges through my toes as I step into the icy, irresistible water. I’m on the descent from the Britannia Hut at the foot of the Allalinhorn in the Valais canton of the Swiss Alps, and this turquoise pool of glacial meltwater has been on the horizon tempting me for an hour. I peel off all five layers of clothing and plunge into the murky water. After a night in a shared dorm without showers it’s bliss. In winter, the jagged ridges of the Valais are the domain of expert skiers and ice climbers, but in summer the lower slopes become accessible to hikers, with the added bonus of the ski lift infrastructure. You can be surrounded by dramatic peaks with the security of well-marked trails ranging from gentle strolls to serious alpine routes. I’m here to hike to mountain huts, test my nerves on via ferrata routes, and fill my city-dweller lungs with clean Alpine air. Map of SW Switzerland I begin my trip in Saas-Fee, a car-free high altitude village in …

The Sneaky Way AT&T Is Hiking Rates on Legacy Customers This Month

The Sneaky Way AT&T Is Hiking Rates on Legacy Customers This Month

Published by skeptic

The upcoming billing cycle is about to get more expensive for long-term AT&T wireless phone plan customers. While the carrier is shifting its focus to newer “2.0” service tiers, those holding onto older unlimited contracts are being hit with a mandatory monthly surcharge starting this month. The logic behind the price jump feels inconsistent, as the specific dollar amount varies wildly across different generations of retired plans. On a support page that went live when it announced its revamped “2.0” unlimited phone plans, the carrier revealed that the prices of its “retired” unlimited wireless plans — the ones customers who haven’t upgraded are still using — will go up by as much as $20 starting in April.  AT&T is implementing two price changes. If your account with a “retired” plan has a single line, the price goes up $10. If you have two or more lines on an account, the price increase is capped at $20 for the account. Perhaps to offset the sting, affected plans will get an extra 20GB of high-speed hotspot data each month.  However, not everyone …

Best Lightweight Hiking Boots (2026): La Sportiva, Salomon, Keen, and More

Best Lightweight Hiking Boots (2026): La Sportiva, Salomon, Keen, and More

Published by skeptic

The Targhee collection, named after a hardy American breed of sheep known for their resiliency and rather fine wool, was first launched in 2005, with the intention of being versatile, robust, and comfortable from the get-go. I’ve walked in many pairs over the years, and they remain a dependable option I’m happy to recommend, but they’ve never been the most aesthetically pleasing. But with the new Targhee Apex, they’ve gone all-in with a trail running Gorpcore look that actually works. I know that looks aren’t important when you’re scrambling over rocks and through puddles, but in the high-fashion world of the outdoors these days, pretty and practical must go hand in hand. Enough fashion chat though, because regardless of style, these are wonderful waterproof trail shoes that weigh just 0.75 pounds each. They feel light without being fragile, the footbed is generous, allowing my feet to spread comfortably over a long day, and there’s plenty of stability through the midsole. Grip is reassuring on mixed terrain too, and the outsole digs in confidently on both …

A second fatal rattlesnake bite on a Southern California hiking trail

A second fatal rattlesnake bite on a Southern California hiking trail

Published by Sam Flores

A Ventura County woman has become the second to die recently from a rattlesnake bite on a Southern California hiking trail during an unusually active period of snake attacks and unseasonably warm weather. The Ventura County Fire Department has received four reports of rattlesnake bites since March 14, according to department spokesperson Andrew Dowd. In comparison, the county recorded nine total bites in 2025. The department responded to a call for a bite on a hiking trail at Wildwood Park just before noon on March 14. Paramedics took lifesaving measures and airlifted the patient to a local hospital for treatment. The woman who was bitten, later identified as 46-year-old Gabriela Bautista of Moorpark, died March 19 as a result of rattlesnake venom toxicity, according to the Ventura County medical examiner’s office. The following day, the county Fire Department rescued a teenage girl from the Wendy Trail in Newbury Park after she suffered a rattlesnake bite. Firefighters hiked up to access the bite victim and used a special wheeled stretcher to bring her down and transport …

The best packing cubes for travel in 2025, tried and tested

The best packing cubes for travel in 2025, tried and tested

Published by Sam Flores

If you’re a frequent traveller but a bad packer (it’s surprising how often these two things go hand in hand), you might find yourself searching for the best packing cubes. If you have no idea what I’m talking about, a packing cube is essentially a fabric pouch designed to organise your clothes in a suitcase or carry-on luggage, and they typically compress soft items to help maximise space. However tempting it may be to jump on Amazon and order the first ones that can be delivered in time for your holiday, the best packing cubes for travel actually vary a fair amount. Some are more technical, others compress, expand or have pockets for dirty laundry. I’ve tried packing cubes from the biggest brands, including Osprey and Antler. You can find my full reviews below, followed by advice from experts on whether to roll or fold and which brands are worth buying. The best packing cubes: At a glance “Think about what sorts of trips you go on,” says Claire Robinson, founder of Weekend Candy, a …

Best Merino Wool Clothing (2026): Base Layers, Hoodies, Jackets & More

Best Merino Wool Clothing (2026): Base Layers, Hoodies, Jackets & More

Published by skeptic

Merino wool is a super fiber. The best merino wool clothing somehow manages to be comfortable in 95-degree heat, and merino base layers keep you warm well below freezing. Unlike synthetic fibers derived from petroleum, merino wool is natural and renewable. Merino wool’s versatility means there’s a bewildering array of blends and options to choose from. Here are our favorite merino wool products that we’ve tested by wearing and washing (usually in cold water, and hung to dry, although we do machine dry them just to see what happens) over the course of months and even years in some cases. Once you’re done here, don’t forget to check out the rest of our apparel guides, like the Best Merino Wool T-Shirts, Best Base Layers, Best Puffer Jackets, Best Hoodies, and Best Hiking Boots. Updated April 2026: We’ve changed out top pick boxers to Wool & Prince, added more hoodies, and the Ibex women’s Goat short sleeve. We also updated prices and links throughout. Table of Contents AccordionItemContainerButton Why Is Merino Wool So Great? AccordionItemContainerButton Merino …

Should You Hike in Boots or Trail Runners? (2026)

Should You Hike in Boots or Trail Runners? (2026)

Published by skeptic

When I started hiking, big leather boots were the only real option. They were burly, stiff, and difficult to break in, but one pair would last you decades. Technology has mercifully caught up, however. If you head to the trails today, most hikers and backpackers are opting for more lightweight, low-cut options. While an influx of new shoes from brands like Hoka, Merrell, Danner, and Salomon has transformed the footwear industry, that doesn’t mean the hiking boot has had its day. It just depends on what you’re looking to do and when you’re doing it. Which shoes should you pick to go out for the day? I tested countless pairs of great hiking boots, trail runners, and hiking shoes across a variety of terrain, from forest trails and coastal paths to high alpine terrain. To get a better understanding of the differences between the many options available—and which is right for you—I grilled Ingrid Johnson, a leading footwear product specialist at REI. (For what it’s worth, Johnson’s personal recommendation is the Salomon XA Pro). When …

Women are being abandoned by their partners on hiking trails. What’s behind ‘alpine divorce’? | Relationships

Women are being abandoned by their partners on hiking trails. What’s behind ‘alpine divorce’? | Relationships

Published by Sam Flores

MJ calls what happened to her in Zion national park “small ‘T’ trauma”. She knows women have experienced worse from their partners. But she still feels the anger of being left behind on a hike by her now ex. “It brings up stuff in my body that maybe I have not cleared out yet,” she said. Five years ago, MJ and a new partner – he was not exactly her boyfriend, and the pair were not exclusive – traveled from Los Angeles to Utah for an adventure getaway. MJ, who is 38 and works in PR, was looking forward to exploring Zion’s striking scenery; its vast sandstone canyon and pristine wading trails were on the list. But on the morning of their big hike, MJ was not feeling well. She could not shake the feeling that something was “off”; indeed, MJ would learn on this trip that her partner was seeing other women. As they made their way up Angel’s Landing, MJ’s partner started walking faster than her. “I could tell it was getting on …