Adventure Hike Travel
Get Out There!
Adventure Hike Travel is dedicated to helping you get outside into the great outdoors. Our goal is to connect you to the natural world, equip you for adventure, and inspire you to start your own journey.
Hi, I'm Samantha Panzera. I love taking off on adventures, traveling, and spending lots of time in the mountains. I especially love hiking, backpacking, snowboarding, and rock climbing. I started Adventure Hike Travel to help others get outside into our beautiful world. I aim to inspire, empower, and equip others to start going on their own adventures.
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Recent Blog Posts
5 Travel Tips for Less Stress
Preparation before a trip can reduce stress while traveling and keep everything on your itinerary running smoothly. Now, guaranteed, the unexpected can always occur to throw your travel plans for a loop, but by thinking ahead and taking steps to limit those times of sudden chaos, you may find traveling a whole lot more enjoyable.
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How to Successfully Do A Sunrise Hike Up Mt. Townsend
How to Successfully Do A Sunrise Hike Up Mt. Townsend. Mt. Townsend is one of my most favorite day-hiking destinations that I have found in Olympic National Park “so far”. There is just something about the top of Mt. Townsend that reminds me of the epic mountain landscapes featured in The Lord of the Rings. It has that unreal fantasy vibe that feels as though it could be the filming location for a different world. The larger than life peaks have always been absolutely stunning to me during the day. So when my younger brother and his friend recently asked if I would like to do a sunrise hike up to this incredible place my answer was a definite “Hell, yes.” Below I will be sharing my experience and some tips I have gathered on How to Successfully do a Sunrise Hike up Mt. Townsend so you can plan your own pre-dawn hiking adventure to this gorgeous spot.
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What to Pack for a Sunrise Hike
To reach a mountain top in time for sunrise there is going to be a large portion of the hike during the dark which requires extra gear and expertise depending on the location of your hike. Hiking in the dark has many additional hidden dangers due to lack of visibility, wildlife, and rapid changes in weather. Having the right gear can make for a safer and more pleasant journey. Below we have gathered together What to Pack for a Sunrise Hike.
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How to Save up to $55 on Airbnb in 2019
Who doesn’t love travel discounts? Right here we are going to go over how you can save as much as $55 on your next vacation with Airbnb.
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Night Hiking Dangers To Be Aware Of When Planning Your Next Pre-Dawn Adventure
There is just something completely exhilarating about hiking at night. With your sight limited all your other senses are heightened. Every rustle of brush, every tree creak, and every little noise is amplified. The stunning views of the stars and seeing the outlines of mountain peaks lit up from moonlight can feel unreal. Although beautiful, hiking at night presents its own kind of dangers and should be prepared for accordingly.
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30 Inspirational Sayings and Quotes about Nature
For those who love nature and the beautiful world around them we have collected 30 Inspirational Sayings and Quotes about Nature. In this fast-paced society we sometimes forget how refreshing it can be to take a step back and reconnect with nature. To just unplug from the hustle and bustle and take in the soothing peace being outdoors can be. Hopefully after reading these quotes you will be inspired to turn off your phone, go outside and take a moment to enjoy the natural beauty of the earth.
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The Ultimate Guide To Hiking Mailbox Peak
If you are in search of a good leg-burner, Mailbox Peak is the hike for you! With over 4,000 feet of elevation gain this hike is flat-out brutal. Despite being a quad and knee killer, the panoramic 360 degree views from the top are beautiful. There is also the fun novelty of checking the mail on top of a mountain. Seeing what unique trinkets have been left inside the mailbox, make each tortuous step worth it! Did You Know That Mailbox Peak Has Two Trails? One of the first things to note before planning a trip up Mailbox Peak is that there are two trails. There is the Mailbox Peak – New Trail and the Mailbox Peak – Old Trail, also referred to as the Mailbox Peak ( Primitive Trail). Both trails start out of the same parking lot and many hikers turn this hike into a loop by hiking the old trail up and coming down the wider more maintained new trail. Mailbox Peak – New and Old Trail Elevation Gain: 4000 Feet or 1,219.20 Meters Highest Point: 4841ft Difficulty: Hard Dog’s Allowed: Yes Trail Type: There-and-back or Loup Congestion: High Seasons: Year-round (Expect Snow and Ice in Winter) Parking Pass: Yes Discover Pass Mailbox Peak – New Trail Distance: 9.4 miles, roundtrip Mailbox Peak – Old Trail Distance: 5.4 miles, roundtrip Hiking Mailbox Peak Old Trail The Mailbox Peak – Old Trail is a rugged 5.4 mile round trip hike that is basically just a savage climb up 4,000 feet. At points on this hike you will be scrambling up at a 40% to 60% angle with eroded soil and exposed roots. Lots and lots of roots everywhere! When hiking this trail take special care where you place your feet so you don’t slip. Since this trail was insanely sketchy and had so many injured and lost hikers, a new trail was built in 2013 and opened to the public in 2014. Getting To The Old Trail: To get to the Mailbox Peak Old Trail, you will just need to hike past the trailhead for the New trail a bit. After a few minutes of walking you will see the sign for the Old Trail on your left in addition to many signs and advisories about the old trail put up from the King County Sheriff and Search and rescue. Be sure to read the signs before going up or you can always just take the new trail. The Start of Mailbox Peak – Old Trail History The Old Trail got it’s start 4th of July Weekend in 1960 when Carl Heine, a local Seattle postman who in his free time was working as the the head director of Valley Camp, lugged a mailbox to the summit as a fun challenge for the teenagers at the camp. Heine had a notebook in the mailbox that the kid’s could sign when reaching the top. Since then many people have flocked up this crazy steep trail…
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5 Reasons to Buy LOWA Women’s Renegade GTX Mid Hiking Boots
Hi, I’m Darlene Panzera, an adventurer, author, and mom, and I’d like to share 5 reasons why I decided to buy Lowa Women’s Renegade GTX Mid Hiking Boots.
Last year I bought a pair of hiking boots from another company that felt great when I tried them on in the store, but when I started hiking in them, they didn’t quite feel right. I kept telling myself they still needed to be broken in and that they’d be okay. I was so wrong! After several months of smaller hikes, I took a 6-mile hike to a fire tower in Washington’s Cascade Mountains and when I removed my boots my toes felt like they were on fire! The pain was almost unbearable. I had to face the fact that these boots were the wrong fit and I ended up giving them away to someone else even though I had spent over two hundred dollars on them.
This year when I went to buy new boots, I was more cautious. Below are a few of the deciding factors that led me to buy a pair of Lowa brand hiking boots:
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25 Fantastic Outdoor Books for Hiking In Washington State
Are you interested in getting outside and hitting the trail but don’t know where to start? Whether you are new to Washington state or a longtime resident just looking for inspiration of what trail to crush next. We have gathered together 25 Fantastic Outdoor Books for Hiking In Washington State. 100 Classic Hikes in Washington (100 Best Hikes) 100 Classic Hikes in Washington by Ira Spring & Harvey Manning Shop Now Backpacking Washington: Overnight and Multi-Day Routes Backpacking Washington: Overnight and Multi-Day Routes by Craig Romano Shop Now 100 Classic Hikes WA 3E: Olympic Peninsula / South Cascades / Mount Rainier / Alpine Lakes / Central Cascades / North Cascades / San Juans / Eastern Washington 100 Classic Hikes: Washington: Olympic Peninsula / South Cascades / Mount Rainier / Alpine Lakes / Central Cascades / North Cascades / San Juans / Eastern Washington by Craig Romano Shop Now Hiking Washington: A Guide to the State’s Greatest Hiking Adventures (State Hiking Guides Series) Hiking Washington: A Guide to the State’s Greatest Hiking Adventures (State Hiking Guides Series) by Oliver Lazenby Shop Now Day Hike! Mount Rainier, 3rd Edition: More Than 50 Trails You Can Hike in a Day Day Hike! Mount Rainier, 3rd Edition: More Than 50 Trails You Can Hike in a Day by Ron C. Judd Shop Now Day Hiking: Mount Rainier National Park Trails Day Hiking: Mount Rainier National Park Trails by Dan Nelson (Author), Alan Bauer (Photographer) Shop Now Day Hiking Olympic Peninsula, 2nd Edition: National Park / Coastal Beaches / Southwest Washington Day Hiking Olympic Peninsula: National Park, Coastal Beaches, Southwest Washington by Craig Romano Shop Now Day Hike! Olympic Peninsula, 3rd Edition: More Than 70 Trails You Can Hike in a Day Day Hike! Olympic Peninsula, 3rd Edition: More Than 70 Trails You Can Hike in a Day by Seabury Blair Jr. Shop Now Hiking Olympic National Park: A Guide to the Park’s Greatest Hiking Adventures (Regional Hiking Series) Hiking Olympic National Park: A Guide to the Park’s Greatest Hiking Adventures (Regional Hiking Series) by Erik Molvar (Author) Shop Now Day Hike! Central Cascades, 4th Edition: More than 65 Washington State Trails You Can Hike in a Day Day Hike! Central Cascades, 4th Edition by Mike McQuaide (Author) Shop Now Day Hiking: Central Cascades Day Hiking: Central Cascades by Craig Romano Shop Now Day Hike! Central Cascades, 3rd Edition: More Than 65 Trails You Can Hike in a Day Day Hike! Central Cascades, 3rd Edition: More Than 65 Trails You Can Hike in a Day Paperback by Mike McQuaide Shop Now Day Hiking Snoqualmie Region: Cascade Foothills * I90 Corridor * Alpine Lakes, 2nd Edition Day Hiking Snoqualmie Region: Cascade Foothills * I90 Corridor * Alpine Lakes Paperback by Dan Nelson (Author), Alan Bauer (Photographer) Shop Now Day Hike! North Cascades, 3rd Edition: More Than 55 Trails You Can Hike in a Day Day Hike! North Cascades, 3rd Edition: More Than 55 Trails You Can Hike in a Day by Mike McQuaide Shop Now Day Hiking North Cascades: Mount Baker, Mountain Loop Highway, San Juan Islands Day Hiking North Cascades: Mount Baker, Mountain Loop Highway,…
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A Visit to Virginia by Jeri Stockdale
“Guest Blog Post” By Jeri Stockdale Hello, my name is Jeri Stockdale and I am very excited to share some of my travel memories with you. When my long time friend asked my husband and I to come visit her in Virginia, we couldn’t wait to see the many historic sites in the area. In the post below, I talk about several places of interest and share our pictures. It is my hope that you will find some valuable information to make your own trip to Virginia worthwhile. Virginia is for Lovers! This slogan is on bumper stickers, signs, and easily found in any gift shop, and has been a hit for their tourism industry. Brilliant fall colors draw visitors to Virginia and other southern and eastern states during autumn. When we visited in October, however, this tree at our friend’s home was the most vibrant example we saw. Most of the trees in the hills still wore their green foliage thanks to the high temperatures they’d experienced. Even without the changing colors, fall is a comfortable time of year to visit, especially October, with temperatures from the 60’s to 70’s and less humidity than in the summer. Staunton Historic District One of the many historic homes in Staunton, Virginia. Staunton Historic District, Staunton, Virginia has daily walking tours. We visited a few quaint shops with eclectic offerings. Near one another are a triangle of historic towns; Williamsburg, Jamestown, and Yorktown. Step back in time at Colonial Williamsburg. Ride a carriage through town, visit homes that reflect colonial tastes, and small shops like Greenhow’s store. Buy chocolate made without milk or learn about quill and ink and buy a small writing set for children. Interact with the postmaster or be fitted for the latest colonial fashions at Mary Dickinson’s Hat and Dress Shop. At Chowning Tavern, enjoy a sampler platter of beef and veggie pasties, fresh fruit, and round soft flatbread crackers with a crock of cheese while listening to lively violin, flute, and drum music. Helpful colorful characters dressed colonial style are on hand to share history and answer your questions. Warning! They will speak and act only as if they are living in those times! Bruton Parish Church Visit Bruton Parish church, established in 1674, and still used for Sunday services. Attended by all citizens of Williamsburg at the time, its members included Martha Washington and her son, prior to marrying George Washington. Thomas Jefferson lived in Williamsburg and attended the church while studying under George Wythe, one of the most brilliant legal minds of his day. Jamestown Settlement Not far from Colonial Williamsburg is the Jamestown Settlement which has three replica ships you can board to get a feel for what it would have been like to travel to America in the 1600s. There is also a replica fort and Indian Village with hands-on fun for the children. Nearby is Historic Jamestowne, the original site of the colony, and probably more interesting for adults and older children…
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7 Ways to Save Money on Hiking & Camping Gear
Are you a hiking/camping newbie looking to venture out into nature for the first time? Or an experienced pro with numerous adventures under your belt? Whether you need gear or have old gear that is currently only being held together with duct tape, we have gathered 7 Ways to Save Money on Hiking & Camping Gear. 1. Time your gear purchases around sales. The timing of when you start looking for gear can be critical. Having a list of things you might want to purchase for the following year and planning ahead can save you tons. Want winter gear? You can get 50% to even 60% off left over winter items by shopping in the spring. Want a summer backpacking tent? New hiking boots? Check for sales at the end of summer. Look for big sales around holidays. Some great times for finding sales are around Memorial Day, The 4th of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Black Friday, Christmas, New Years and the end of each season. 2. Search for slightly used gear. Attending swap meets, thrift stores, garage sales, or online scanning on Offer Up, and Craig’s List, can help you find amazing deals on slightly used or never before used gear for only a fraction of the cost. Many people buy gear and never use it, or use it only once or twice where it is almost like new. 3. Become a REI Member. REI is the outdoor community’s gear mecca. If you love spending time on mountain tops or time out in the wilderness, I highly recommend becoming a REI member. It costs a one-time fee of $20. and you are a Member for life! Why become a REI Member? One word – REI Dividends! Every year in the month of March, REI Members’ get back 10% of everything they purchased in REI stores over the course of the previous year, excluding sale items. This past year for my spending I got $69. back which I used to buy a nice puffy down North Face Jacket! Total Score! In addition to the yearly March dividends, around the same time REI usually gives two 20% off coupons for Members only. One for one regular priced item and one for one garage sale item! As a part of the REI family you get access to many exclusive REI Member-Only Coupons, Member-Only Garage Sales, and savings on REI Classes & Trips. Become a REI Member: https://www.rei.com/membership/join 4. Sign up for email newsletters for multiple outdoor companies Typically when you sign up for an outdoor company’s email list they will send you a coupon to entice you to make your first purchase and will then throughout the year send you emails about upcoming sales they are having or send you discount codes to order online. 5. Join online hiking and camping groups In the digital age of social media there are hundreds of Facebook groups in the hiking, camping, backpacking, rock climbing, and mountaineering niches. By becoming a part of the online…
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Top 12 Things To Do In Pennsylvania Amish Country
Top 12 Things To Do In Pennsylvania Amish Country By Darlene Panzera For years I heard my in-laws rave about their adventures in and around Lancaster, PA. They’d make me jealous as they’d talk about the mouth-watering homemade food served in the restaurants, the large production theater shows, and how the Amish community farmed their land, sewed quilts, and drove horse and buggies around town. Last fall, my husband and I had the chance to go over there ourselves, and we were not disappointed. I would highly recommend taking a weekend trip of at least three days, possibly four or more, if you have the time, to enjoy the peace and tranquility of the countryside, savor some of the delicious home-made pies, and visit all the unique markets, shows, shops, and restaurants, and activities in the area. 1. Visit the Sight & Sound Theater. Every year this faith-based company brings the Bible to life on stage with unbelievably epic detailed sets, costuming, and musical productions featuring a large cast of talented actors and actresses. One of the largest theaters in the nation, the interior is designed so that the performers and yes-live animals-can come up through the aisles, props can float over heads, curtains can unfurl to reveal stages on three sides, all making guests feel they are an interactive part of the show. One of the biggest thrills, especially for young children is to see how they bring the animals up on stage. We’re talking horses, zebra, camels, donkeys, goats, sheep, chickens-what a sight to see! www.Sight-Sound.com 2. Another interactive show with spectacular special effects is, “Jacob’s Choice,” at the F/X Theater located at the Plain & Fancy Farm where you can experience Amish life as viewed through film screen clips, live actors, spray mist, and surround-sound. While it only takes about 30 minutes to enjoy, there is also a gift shop located at the entrance to pick up some souvenirs, and buggy rides, farmland tours, Amish homestead and one-room school tours at this location that also make up the Amish Experience. www.amishexperience.com 3. Amish-run restaurants! There are so many choices it is hard to visit them all. Two of our absolute favorites were Katie’s Kitchen (we ate there twice!) which has the best breakfast with homemade bread and strawberry jam I have ever tasted. Now keep in mind, that I can my own strawberry jams, and nothing I’ve ever made compares to this! We brought some home. The waitresses are all dressed in their Amish attire and another thing that amazed me was how polite and genuinely sweet they all were. katieskitchen.com We also had the chance to eat at Dienner Country Restaurant buffet and I would go back again in a heartbeat. Absolutely LOVED this place! All of the homemade food is simply delicious using natural ingredients with the most incredible flavor. www.dienners.com We also heard that Good ‘N Plenty Restaurant and Bakery, Bird-in-Hand Family Restaurant, Yoder’s Restaurant & Buffet, Plain & Fancy Farm Restaurant, Miller’s Smorgasbord,…
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