September 2026

Flash floods. Drought. Heat domes. Triple-digit heat indexes. Fire clouds. Those aren’t predictions from some distant climate scenario. They’re terms pulled from today’s headlines.

Some of these news stories hit close to home for anyone who ventures into wilderness. In late August of this year, a catastrophic flash flood triggered by a glacial collapse swept through a mountainous region of Nepal that is popular with trekkers, killing hundreds and leaving thousands missing. 

Days later, a violent thunderstorm sent floodwaters roaring through Bright Angel Canyon in Grand Canyon National Park, killing two hikers, destroying footbridges, and forcing the evacuation of dozens more.

Nature has always challenged, and sometimes punished, those daring enough to explore its more remote and untamed regions. But recent and rapidly changing atmospheric conditions have raised the stakes, even for those exploring more hospitable environments, both with and without certified guides. Whether you’re organizing a multiday expedition or heading out for an afternoon hike, preparation takes on more importance. It means thinking beyond what conditions are “normally like,” instead considering what could happen if conditions change in potentially dangerous ways.

In the human-powered outdoor recreation and education side of the outdoor industry, the playing field is constantly shifting, making it necessary for us to continuously evaluate nature and reevaluate when, where, and how we venture out into the backcountry.

Having recently returned home from a month of adventures in the wilds of New England and preparing to guide trips in the Southeast, I have experienced firsthand just how flexible and creative we adventurers need to be. And that’s whether we’re planning for single-day outings in nearby locations or longer trips in more remote and unfamiliar areas.

I spend an enormous amount of time guiding trips in remote locations and have developed a deep catalog of places to go, as well as places to avoid during certain times of the year. But lately, even that experience has become less reliable. I’m no longer planning around locations and calendar seasons alone. I am also having to account for (more…)