Ready for something bigger? Check out my complete hike-specific guides below
Campsites and ferries on Catalina Island book out months in advance. The sooner you lock in your plan, the easier it is to actually get the itinerary you want.
The Trans-Catalina Trail is one of the most stunning coastal treks around, but the logistics can feel like a puzzle. Matching mainland ferry departures with competitive campsite bookings across the island trips up a lot of hikers before they even pack a bag.
This guide gets you through it clearly, whether it’s your first backpacking trip or your fifteenth.
What’s inside:
• How to sync ferry transportation with campsite reservations
• Sample itineraries, from a fast 3-day trek to a more relaxed 5-day version
• What to expect from the island’s steep, exposed ridges and heat
• Where to find water, gear lockers, and resupply stops so you’re not overpacking
• How to safely share the trail with the island’s bison and foxes
Paired with the full 30 Day Hike Ready Challenge, fixed distances, your own pace, building up to a 10 mile day by day 30, so you’re ready to carry a full pack over real island terrain, not just plan the trip.
You’ll also get free lifetime access to Trail Sessions, plus an island packing checklist and warm up guide.
The longer you wait to start, the longer it’ll be before you’re actually ready for that bigger hike. The 30 Day Hike Ready Challenge is a training plan built for anyone who loves the outdoors but isn’t sure they’re ready yet. Fixed distances, your own pace, one route, 30 days.
You’ll also get free lifetime access to Trail Sessions, my hiking club of over 900 people, where you can post your daily progress and keep going long after day 30. Inside, people regularly set up group hikes and backpacking trips for all skill levels.
Includes a bonus pre-hike checklist and warm up guide, so you’re ready to go the moment you finish.
The longer you wait to prepare for Half Dome, the harder those 14-16 miles are going to feel. This guide gets you ready to actually step onto that trail with confidence.
Half Dome is one of Yosemite’s most sought-after hikes, and one of the easiest to underestimate. Between the permit lottery and nearly 4,800 feet of elevation gain, a real shot at the summit means planning well before you ever reach the cables.
This guide covers exactly what matters, no forum rabbit holes, no guessing what to pack.
What’s inside:
• How the permit lottery actually works, preseason and daily
• A clear breakdown of the route, subdome and cables included
• Cables up vs. cables down, what changes and what to bring for each
• A tested packing list, including what to actually leave behind
Paired with the full 30 Day Hike Ready Challenge, fixed distances, your own pace, building up to a 10 mile day by day 30, so your legs are ready for the subdome, not just your itinerary.
You’ll also get free lifetime access to Trail Sessions, plus a pre-hike checklist and warm up guide.
Planning for Whitney can get overwhelming fast, permits, altitude, campsite logistics, strict packing rules, there’s a lot to sort through before you ever step on trail.
This guide gets you through it without the guesswork, a clear, practical breakdown of the standard Main Whitney Trail.
What’s inside:
• How the permit lottery actually works, including mini-lotteries and leftover permits
• How to acclimate properly and recognize early signs of altitude sickness
• A milestone breakdown from Whitney Portal to the summit, water sources and camp spots included
• What to actually expect at the 99 switchbacks
• Waste, bear storage, and the local wilderness rules you need to follow
Paired with the full 30 Day Hike Ready Challenge, fixed distances, your own pace, building up to a 10 mile day by day 30, so your legs and lungs are ready for the elevation, not just your itinerary.
You’ll also get free lifetime access to Trail Sessions, plus a Whitney-specific packing checklist and warm up guide.