Dan Purdy, Author at Wildland Trekking

Norway’s Lofoten Islands

Dan Purdy — Tue, 12 Dec 2023 04:22:19 +0000

This story is an excerpt from Dan Purdy’s recent book The Nomadic Notebook – Norway. After taking a leave of absence from his career as an aerospace engineer, Dan volunteered at a remote island lodge in Nordskot, Norway. Once there, he joined forces with his host – the powerfully built Jesper – as they worked to grow the fledgling lodge business. But partway through this experience, Dan had the opportunity to visit one of Norway’s most beautiful regions, the Lofoten Islands…

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Top 3 Olympic National Park Backpacking Trips

Dan Purdy — Mon, 16 Jan 2023 12:00:44 +0000

Note: This post was originally published December 2019, and has been updated with the latest route and permit info as of February 2023.

Hiking and backpacking in Olympic National Park is an incredible adventure, a one of a kind experience in the United States. Olympic boasts the only temperate rainforest in the U.S. as well as two other distinct ecosystems. Backpacking through this park will allow you to experience not only the Hoh Rainforest, but perhaps also the rugged Olympic Mountains with jagged cliffs and abundant wildlife. Alternatively, you can also backpacking along the park’s unique Pacific Northwest Coastline to explore tide pools bursting with life and watch sea otters and seals slipping between the awe-inspiring rock formations jutting from the chilly water.

As you may expect, epic backpacking opportunities are everywhere in such a beautiful wilderness landscape. But which are the best? Don’t worry about digging through lists and reviews! We’ve picked out the top three backpacking trips to Olympic National Park so you can jump straight to planning your next incredible hiking vacation.

All-inclusive Pacific Northwest Adventures

While backpacking in Olympic is an amazing experience, it can also be rather intimidating, especially if you’ve never done it before. At Wildland Trekking, we offer a wide range of backpacking trips to Olympic National Park. We’ll handle all the gear, permits, and trip transportation logistics so you can relax and enjoy the adventure.

Here are the top 3 backpacking trips in Olympic National Park. We’ll discuss each one in detail before, but here is a quick overview of what each trail is like.

Hoh Valley to Blue Glacier – 5 days – Strenuous
The North Coast – 3 days – Moderate
Enchanted Valley – 4 days – Moderate

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Best Low Top Hiking Shoes

Dan Purdy — Wed, 13 Jan 2021 07:35:04 +0000

For years I struggled to find the perfect hiking footwear. Boots were too clunky, or too tight, or too bulky to pack for travel. But that’s where hiking shoes came into the picture and saved my feet from constant pinching and discomfort. They’re lighter, easier to pack, and much more breathable and comfortable than their larger cousins.

Now I fully accept that hiking boots have their place – ankle support, for example – and can be indispensable for certain hikers or conditions. But let’s talk about your alternative in the low-top hiking shoe along with crucial buying advice to find the best fit for you. We’ll then present Wildland Trekking’s top five recommendations for hiking shoes to get you on the trail in no time, with happy feet to boot – or ‘shoe’ in this case.

Award Winning Hiking Adventures

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Best Three Mount Rainier Day Hikes

Dan Purdy — Tue, 31 Mar 2020 03:42:40 +0000

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Best Hiking Boots for Backpacking

Dan Purdy — Sun, 01 Mar 2020 08:44:52 +0000

The hiking boot. The indomitable pillar on which the epic hiking trip has been built for centuries. It’s rugged, robust, supportive, and ready to take on any trail anywhere. But step into any outdoor goods store, and you’ll find shelves upon shelves of hiking boots. Some lightweight, some heavy. Some waterproof, some extra breathable. How are you supposed to know which options are the best and which fall short? Don’t stress yourself! We’ve done the research and put hiking boots through some of the most rigorous testing possible – we’re trekking guides, after all – and now we have the results for you.

Let’s take a look at crucial buying considerations for hiking boots, and then move on to our list of the best hiking boots for backpacking that’ll be perfect for any USA Hiking Vacation. Read on, learn what you need to know, and pick out the best footwear to take you on epic adventures.

If you’re interested in lighter and more flexible footwear, check out our guide to the best low top hiking shoes.

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