OC Blog
Hunters Creek Park Digital Map
Hunters Creek Park (Sgt. Mark Rademacher Park) located in South Wales, NY is one of Erie County’s most beautiful and visited parks. Using the lower parking lot, hikers can access …
Prime Day 2023 Outdoor Deals
Amazon Prime Day 2023 is July 11-12, 2023. Here are my top picks, all items I own and use. Hydro Flask Wide Mouth Straw Lid $49.95 $30.98 https://amzn.to/3KfH25F CamelBak Lobo …
How long do your boots last?
I bought my first pair of Altra Lone Peak 6 trail runners this past May. They were starting to show some signs of wear by Fall and I wanted to …
2022 Holiday gift guide for hikers and backpackerS
Looking for the perfect gift for the outdoorsy person in your life? Our 2022 Holiday Gift Guide will give you ideas for the hiker, backpacker, or camper in your life. …
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Secret Places of Western New York
The original Secret Places: Scenic Treasures of Western New York and Southern Ontario by Bruce Kershner was the inspiration for many of my outdoor adventures and the WNY Hiking Challenge. …
Tiny trees or ancient plant?
Contrary to popular belief, these are not tiny pine trees. Their common names of princess pine, ground pine, and groundcedar lead you to believe they are. However, they are part …
Family Orienteering Fun
Guest post by Sandi van Everdingen http://sandivan.com My husband CJ and I have always enjoyed hiking and love having a goal on our adventures. The goal is often to find some …
More Than a Trail
Story by Heather Wakeley This was my first year taking part in the WNY Hiking Challenge. I have always enjoyed being outside and getting in touch with nature. Although the …
Outdoor Books To Read For People Who Like Outdoor Things (and Reading)
Here is an extensive collection of books about all things outdoors that was curated by people who love all things outdoors! This list is a work in progress. If you …
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A Dad’s First Backpacking Experience with His 9 Year Old Daughter
Written by Mark Bontempi I thought to myself, oh my god there it is. We reached the top of the ski hill and the clearing was just enough to see …
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Nelly’s Backpacking Trip
Written by Penelope Bontempi Hi everyone my name is Penelope, and this is my blog on how I started hiking and about me! I love hiking alot. I really love …
Letchworth State Park: Frozen in Winter
Winter is amazing at Letchworth State Park. It features frozen waterfalls, gigantic icicles, and the ice volcano. It’s like walking through the frozen landscape Narnia or The North in Game …
Inspiring John Muir Quotes for Adventurers
John Muir was a true mountain man, naturalist, and a key player in the preservation of wilderness in the United States. Muir was known as “John of the Mountains” and …
Taking the Path Less Traveled: Hiking in the Hitchen’s Pond Primitive Area
By: Justin Devendorf In certain parts of the Adirondacks, overcrowding on the trails has become a major problem. One need only look at tweets from Forest Rangers that show the …
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Letchworth State Park in Autumn – Peak Fall Foliage
Autumn during peak Fall foliage is an amazing time to visit Letchworth State Park. Letchworth State Park is one of America’s Top State Parks (USA TODAY Readers’ Choice Award for …
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Kayaking the most dangerous section of the Upper Niagara River
The upper Niagara River between the Peace Bridge and International Railroad Bridge is considered the most dangerous section of the river. Due to its fast moving current, large volume of …
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Hiking the Niagara Gorge Trail System
By Nicole PaneInstagram: @niagara_outdoors The Niagara Gorge Trail System stretches from the top of the Niagara escarpment at Artpark in Lewiston to Goat Island right at the American Falls. Many …
Finding a New Place on the North Country Trail
Guest Postby Shane Hawkins The North Country National Scenic Trail, generally known as the North Country Trail or simply ‘NCT’ is the longest National Scenic Trail in the National Trails …
Letchworth State Park: Finger Lakes Trail at The Grand Canyon of the East
The Letchworth section of the Finger Lakes Trail (FLT) is a spur trail running along the entire eastern side of Letchworth State Park. Dubbed “The Grand Canyon of the East”, …
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