
Riley Draper
Riley Draper is a writer and entrepreneur from Chattanooga, Tennessee. As a world traveler, he has been to more than fifty countries and hiked some of the most elusive trails in the world. He is the co-founder of WeCounsel Solutions and has published work in both national and global outlets, including the Times Free Press, Patch, and Healthcare Global. When he's not writing, he's probably on a hiking trip or climbing in the mountains.
Articles by Riley Draper

Basic Bullet Sizes, Calibers & Types (Explained)
Matching the right bullet sizes for your gun can be tricky. It’s never going to be an easy task, whether you’re just getting started buying...

10 Crucial Hiking Tips for Beginners
Just like with any new hobby, there’s only one place to start, and that’s at the beginning. Experienced hikers have their own way of doing...

The 7 Best Camping Hatchets – Reviewed
May 14, 2021/Riley Draper Table of Contents You might think that hatchets are just for the hardcore campers out there. Although hatchets might make you...

The Best Tent Brands on the Market
April 28, 2021/Riley Draper To the untrained eye, many 3-4-season tent brands may seem identical in terms of virtually all characteristics except price. However, there...

8 Best Freeze-Dried Foods for Camping & Backpacking
April 23, 2021/Riley Draper Table of Contents One of the most difficult choices you have to make when you're packing your things for an extended...

Jetboil Zip vs Flash: Which Boiler is Best?
Jetboil is one of the best manufacturers of backpacking stove systems. If you’re looking for lightweight solutions to getting a hot meal on the trail,...

Best 3 Season Sleeping Bags
April 21, 2021/Riley Draper Table of Contents Sleeping bags are one of the lynchpins of a good camping trip. Without a good sleeping bag, your...

7 Best Lightweight Summer Sleeping Bags
April 21, 2021/Riley Draper Table of Contents Summer is easily the best season to hit the campgrounds. You're always likely to post up in a...

Non-Technical Mountain Climbs: 10 Best Hiking Summits
Not everyone is an experienced mountaineer, and getting started can be hard. Let’s face it: climbing Everest sounds like fun until you realize you’ve never...

7 Famous Constellations Everyone Can Find
Many people are amazed by the stars, even those who live in big cities and rarely see the night sky. However, it can sometimes be...

Best Lightweight Flashlight For Hiking & Backpacking
If there’s one thing you can’t leave at home when you heading out to hike and backpack, it’s your flashlight. Your flashlight is one of...

8 Best Energy Bars for Hiking
April 19, 2021/Riley Draper Table of Contents The hardest part of a difficult hike, ironically, isn't the difficult hike. Where people tend to struggle the...

5 Ways to Start a Fire Without Matches or Lighters
So, you’re stranded somewhere and need fire to keep warm or you want to be more prepared in case that ever happens? Starting a fire...

Tarp Camping: Beginner’s Guide to Camping Without a Tent
Camping with a tent can be challenging at times. You might be camping with lots of people and not a lot of tents, so you...

Best Backpacking Saw – Tested and Reviewed
When you’re backpacking the only things you can rely on are the tools on your back. That means if you’re clearing away wood for a...

7 Best Mountaineering Sunglasses
April 18, 2021/Riley Draper Table of Contents When you're hitting the slopes or clawing your way to the top of a difficult mountain, you might...

10 Best Hardshell Jackets
April 18, 2021/Riley Draper Table of Contents Hardshell jackets are a step up from a windbreaker, they're the ultimate form of a rain jacket, and...

How to Fix Heel Slippage in Boots
One thing every hiker needs is a good pair of boots. However, sometimes your heel falls out with every step you take. New shoes can...

10 Scariest and Most Dangerous Hiking Trails on Earth
One reason for hiking’s long-lasting and widespread popularity is the ability to choose whatever level of danger and challenge you want. So while some might...

Hammock vs Tent Camping – The Debate is Over
For most casual campers and backpackers, it would be wild to consider sleeping in anything other than a tent in the backcountry. While car and...

The 5 Different Types of Trailer Hitches (Explained)
With the growing popularity of tiny homes, RVs, and other alternative camping options, there’s a lot to explore in the world of trailers and trailer...

How to Clean Your Tent (Plus 5 Tent Care Tips)
It’s a good idea to clean your tent every time your return from a camping or backpacking trip. You’ll also want to give it a...

6 Poisonous Snakes in California (And How to Spot Them)
While California is a great destination for hiking, camping, fishing, and all things outdoors, there are some natural dangers you’ll need to look out for...

12 Common Types Of Trees (Tree Species) And How To Identify Them
Tree species are such a common form of plant life that they often go unnoticed in our daily lives. Generally speaking, as they don't have...

How Long Does it Take to Hike Camelback Mountain?
The ancient rock of Camelback Mountain calls out to hikers from across the world. Named for its resemblance to the hump and head of a...

The 7 Best Towels for Backpacking
March 29, 2021/Riley Draper Table of Contents Backpacking works up a real sweat. For longer treks, inclement weather can soak hikers and backpackers who are...

10 Best Bed Tents For Kids & Toddlers
March 26, 2021/Riley Draper Table of Contents You might never have heard of a bed tent, so we're going to introduce you to this magical...

10 Best Hikes Within Two Hours of Denver CO
The Mile High City of Denver, Colorado is surrounded by miles of gorgeous landscapes overflowing with natural wonders. With just a short drive out of...

10 Best Hikes Within Two Hours of Seattle WA
Did you know Seattle is known as the Emerald City? Unless you live in or near Seattle, it is very likely you immediately think of...

Backpacking the Trans Catalina Trail on Catalina Island
Nestled within the old-world charm of small island towns and rustic territory is the Trans Catalina Trail: a 38.5 mile-long backpacking trail located on Santa...

20 Best Places to Camp Within 2 Hours of Pittsburgh, PA
The city of Pittsburgh is an early 20th-century industrial capital, and its history can be observed by the buildings that are modeled after the Gilded...

50 Best Hiking Quotes to Inspire Your Next Adventure
Hiking is not without its challenges, no matter how experienced the hiker might be. Sometimes it may seem as though the trail is getting longer...

How To Identify and Eat Hickory Nuts In The Wild
Hickory trees can be found all across the United States, and they’re a wonderful source of on-the-trail nutrition. The hickory is in the same family...

10 Best Hikes in Maui HI – Ancient Maui Hiking Trails
Maui is one of the islands that belong to the state of Hawaii, and it’s filled with gorgeous trees and beaches. Maui is home to...

20 Best Places to Camp Within 2 Hours of Bend, OR
Bend is a small city in central Oregon that offers beautiful landscapes and trails. One thing that attracts many tourists to Bend is the Newberry...

20 Best Places to Camp Within 2 Hours of Austin, TX
The state capital of Texas is most well-known for its live music scene and beautiful scenery. The Colorado River runs right through the heart of...

20 Best Places to Camp Within 2 Hours of Washington, DC
The nation’s capital provides visitors and residents alike with plenty of activities to partake in while out and about. Being home to many sites to...

20 Best Places to Camp Within 2 Hours of San Diego
With San Diego being known as “America’s Finest City,” it’s no surprise that it accommodates many kinds of hobbies for all kinds of people. San...

Everything You Need to Know about Hiking in Jeans
Jeans are one of the most universal items of clothing; almost everyone has a trusty pair of denim trousers in their wardrobe. Seen as a...

Sawyer Mini vs Lifestraw: Which is the Best Water Filter?
If you’re out in the wild for extended periods of time, then you know how useful a water filtration system can be. Hiking, backpacking, and...

Osprey Atmos vs Aether – Which Backpack is Best
Osprey makes some of the most innovative backpacks available on the market right now. If you’re looking for high-performance gear that’s able to keep up...

Best Multitools for Backpacking and Hiking in 2021
March 17, 2021/Riley Draper Table of Contents A good multitool is easily the single most important thing to bring along on a trip....

Best Lightweight Backpacking Hatchet
March 17, 2021/Riley Draper Table of Contents When you're backpacking, you're playing a tight game with the space of your pack. You don't want to...

10 Best Water Enhancers (for Flavor & Electrolytes)
March 17, 2021/Riley Draper Table of Contents Water is one of the most important things on the entire planet. It makes up our oceans, it...

Best Knee Brace for Hiking – Top 7 Reviewed
March 16, 2021/Riley Draper Table of Contents The human body is famously finicky. You can pull something out of place simply by exercising it too...

Best Portable Battery Chargers for Camping & Hiking
March 16, 2021/Riley Draper Table of Contents Our world has quickly become more modernized. We're increasingly surrounded by devices that need a trickle of electricity...

7 Best Lightweight Bear Canisters for Backpacking
March 16, 2021/Riley Draper Table of Contents Bears get hungry. They're just like any other mammal out there. When you're backpacking, you're probably bringing a...

Best Bear Bags for Camping: Keep Your Food Safe
March 16, 2021/Riley Draper Table of Contents Camping is one of the greatest pastimes in human history. The world is so full of untapped space...