I’m a beginner, just like you.
Until a few years ago, I never even owned a pair of hiking boots.
I grew up in Maryland running around in the woods like a wild child, either on foot with my dog or on the back of a pony that I’m sure was wondering why the @#$* it was out past dinner time thanks to my ridiculous hijinx.
But then I grew up.
I always wanted to be outdoorsy, but it wasn’t really part of the culture in the suburbs where I grew up. You do that stuff as a kid, but then you grow up and go to the mall. You know, to be cool. My friends didn’t want to go hiking (I was also too afraid to ask), and I was too scared to get outside my comfort zone and do it on my own.
When I met my now-fiance, his dating profile said he wanted to someone to hike the John Muir Trail with. I had no idea what that meant, but in the first year of dating he took me on my first real camping trip, taught me why I needed hiking boots, and introduced me to my new lord and savior, REI.
But not everyone has that someone.
And what I really wanted was information from other beginners.
I quickly discovered that none of the “beginner’s guides” I found were actually written by a beginner, so I thought I’d solve the problem myself.
And that’s why I started this blog. Besides my random reflections on being an outdoor beginner, I’ve got campground reviews, trail guides, gear reviews, and how-to’s like how to pack for your first camping trip and how to pick out hiking boots when you have no idea what you’re doing.
I’m still no expert, but I hope Outdoor Beginner is enough to help you get your own adventures started.