The summer trail season is here, and you may or may not have questions about…
Continue Reading-
A High Route Across The Wind River Range
[NOTE: 2020 is the tenth year of my blog at Semi-Rad.com, and since I…
Continue Reading -
Should You Do It In Jeans?
The bumper stickers about politicians skiing in jeans were first created more than a decade…
Continue Reading -
What Tent Is Wrong For You?
Two things will be here soon: Camping season, and a bunch of articles telling you…
Continue Reading -
The One Thing You Need To Know
To climb rocks: Use your feet. Despite what you may have seen in Cliffhanger, or…
Continue Reading -
Who’s Better At Backpacking, Bears Or Humans? A Chart
For more charts and doodles like this, follow me on Instagram at @semi_rad —Brendan
Continue Reading -
Zen And The Art Of Not Packing Shit You Don’t Need
I once packed a can of chili ten miles into the backcountry. It weighed 15…
Continue Reading -
Nature As An Airbnb: A Review
For a quick getaway last weekend, my friends and I planned a three-night stay in…
Continue Reading -
Climbing Out Of A Huge Metaphor
Ten years ago last weekend, my old friend Jarrett didn’t have cancer anymore, so I…
Continue Reading -
For Sale: Palatial Mountain Getaway
Location, location, location! This one-bedroom is close to nothing. Step inside the 29-square-foot ripstop nylon…
Continue Reading -
Break In/Destroy Your New Sleeping Bag With These 11 Simple Steps
Nothing’s better than a brand-new sleeping bag, that miraculous cocoon of warmth that enables you…
Continue Reading -
Why Your Smartphone Is A Great Adventure Tool
Every once in a while at a book signing or during an interview, someone asks…
Continue Reading -
10 Basic Rules For Adventure
Earlier this year, my book Surviving the Great Outdoors came out, representing about 12 years’…
Continue Reading -
What Was That Noise Outside The Tent?
Did you hear that? What was that noise outside the tent? Some possibilities: A Bear…
Continue Reading -
Fake Merit Badges For Real Outdoor Achievements
Because we all deserve a little recognition for doing things well out there. —Brendan More…
Continue Reading -
Tips For Selecting The Best Campsite Ever
That’s right, summer’s not over yet. Here are some tips to make the best out…
Continue Reading -
How To Sound Smart On The Trail
Are you an expert? Well, thankfully, it’s 2017, and everyone can be one. Here are…
Continue Reading -
Bears Don’t Care About Your Problems
Bears don’t care about your problems. Call your mom, tell your Twitter followers, or take…
Continue Reading -
The Best Campsite In The World
One Friday this past March, I hiked a few miles down a trail and set…
Continue Reading -
Introducing The First Backpacking Dutch Oven
Remember your last backpacking trip? What was missing? Come on, think about it. That’s right,…
Continue Reading -
Announcing A New Book: The Great Outdoors: A User’s Guide
Today, I get to share something that some wonderful people and I have been working…
Continue Reading -
Ace And The Desert Dog
About a year ago, I spent a few days with Ace Kvale and his 10-year-old…
Continue Reading -
How To Pack For A Big Trip
You just can’t beat getting out of the office for a few days or a…
Continue Reading -
10 More Useful John Muir Quotes For Your Instagram Captions
We all know the classic John Muir quotes like “The mountains are calling and I…
Continue Reading -
Celebrating 5 Years Of Semi-Rad: 25 Favorite Quotes
Five years ago this week, I started this blog, hoping a few people might read…
Continue Reading -
Backpacking Is Sexy
Hey girl. Or guy. I want you to know something about that hobby of yours…
Continue Reading -
13 Pieces of Gear Every All-Around Adventurer Should Have
Normally I use this space to talk about not buying a bunch of shiny new…
Continue Reading