Being outdoors with my kids for climbing, backpacking, and hiking is a blast, but getting them to do some of "the small things" on a consistent basis can be a challenge. Staying hydrated is one of those things. Having water always accessible with a water bladder system can help, but I need to make sure I have the right water bladder for their little bodies and little equipment.

When we head outdoors for climbing, hiking, or backpacking, we always try to dress for conditions. But one part of our kit that maybe we haven't thought about is any rings we might usually have on. A metal ring can be a hazard when there are opportunities to either catch it on something or if the environment is cold. It's a lesson I've had to relate to many the adult climbing student.

Many climbers, mountaineers, hikers, and backpackers wear a watch. Often times, it doubles as their GPS. But once we add the necessary gloves and jackets for cold days in the alpine, that watch can be in our way. Here's how it keep my watch from getting caught in my clothing while also keeping it available as I need it.

The double fisherman's knot is the standard for joining two ends of cord, most frequently to make a cordellete or prussik loop. But beyond climbing applications, there is a whole bunch of uses for this handy knot for camping a backpacking, as well. Here's how to tie one.

On some routes, I know I am going to need to be able to access a radio or a GPS device or satellite communicator more frequently. Maybe winds or terrain will make it hard to talk with my climbing partner. Maybe it's a new area and I'm unfamiliar with the landscape. Maybe it's a big expedition, and I need to be able to stay in regular contact with a team that is spread out all over the mountain. If I need to keep the device available, I want it out of the way, high on my shoulder, when not in use; but I also need to be sure it's secure and still attached when I am using it. Here is how I rig a device to my backpack when facing these types of situations.

Avalanche accident studies have shown that the number one subjective hazard (hazards inside or our heads) that contribute to accidents is the desire to not "take a zero" on the day. Have gotten up too early, driven too far, etc. to bail on marginal conditions. Well, having a backup plan gets you out of that conundrum. You don't have to choose between all of the fun and none of the fun. Some of the fun can do in a pinch.

We are continuing Mental Health Awareness Month with videos about the mental aspects of outdoor adventuring. In this video we talk about recasting bail days as successful days when we are out climbing, mountaineering, or hiking.

We know that stretching helps with muscle restoration and that flexibility is necessary for hiking, climbing, and mountaineering performance, but did you know stretching also releases hormones that are fundamental to maintaining good mental health?

In gravity fighting sports, there can be a tendency to want to reduce one's weight in order to improve strength-to-weight ratio. While that might work in the short run, it isn't sustainable. You need both calories and proper nutrition to perform when in the outdoors. As we begin Mental Health Awareness Month, let’s remember that the consequences of obsessive weight cutting aren't worth the benefits.

When we travel for hiking, climbing, and mountaineering, we have a little less than a 1% chance that a checked bag will get lost, damaged, or delayed. Compounded across multiple bags for multiple people, and you can quickly end up with a much higher likelihood of a baggage handling error. So, here is one tip to help you avoid having partial systems and incomplete gear should you run into one of those baggage problems.

When we travel for hiking, climbing, and mountaineering, some of what we need to take with us are longer items that don't fit well in most luggage. Here are the typical airline dimensions you need to know and a recommendation on having at least one of these types of duffel bags.

When we travel for hiking, climbing, and mountaineering, we often need to take sharp objects with us. The baggage handling process can make it easy for those sharp gear to puncture our bags. Here's the admittedly simple solution to the problem.

It's a simple thing, but a) we don't always follow it, and b) people just starting out need to know it. Your plan shouldn't stay with you. We should all be telling a trusted person our itinerary and route before every trip into the backcountry. It will dramatically improve the odds of you receiving help should you need it.

Staying hydrated is important when you are on the move in the backcountry, whether hiking, backpacking, or mountaineering; it impacts your ability to exercise for the duration and also affects your acclimatization to higher altitudes. But your body can't absorb the water you drink if you drink too much to fast. So, how often and how much should you be drinking water in the ideal?

Being at altitude suppresses your appetite. But your body needs more calories when you are up high. So, adding a caloric mix to your water is a good way to over come calorie depravation when you find it is difficult to eat enough.

The water you need to bring on an outdoors adventure is a product of the activity - like a backpacking trip, a hike, or a mountain climb - how hard you are working, and the climate. But climate is also determined by altitude and higher altitudes demand more water. Find out how much more in this video.

There is a lot that goes into your consumption rate of fuel for your camping stove: altitude, air temperature, temperature of your water, moisture content of the surrounding snow, the stove efficiency, itself, burner size, wind speed, the list goes on and on. So, here is a rule of thumb for taking the right amount of fuel with you when you will be melting snow for water on your expedition.

The consequences of a lead climber fall when ice climbing are simply too high to let ego get in the way of safety. When you need to take a rest, and you can find good ice, go ahead and take that rest. Here's how.

If you have big, double boots for cold mountaineering as well as shoulder-season alpine climbing boots that are considerably smaller, you will have extra strap material from your crampon attachments whenever you put those crampons on your smaller boots. Here's what I do with that extra tail to keep it securely out of my way.

The biomechanics of winter climbing are different and strain different muscles due to the equipment we have to wear. If you are into ice climbing, alpinism, or mountaineering, don't let your calves be the muscle endurance shortcoming that keeps you from the top.