eNZees Blog

5 Outdoor Blogs You Should Be Following

by Jill Schuman | April 13, 2017 | 0 Comments

 

According to the internet, there are over 150 million blogs. And of those, how many must be about outdoor adventure? We expect thousands if not more. If you’re like us and would rather spend more time outside playing than browsing the blogosphere, here are 5 blogs we’ve been reading lately that we think you’ll like!

Trail to Peak

John Muir Trail with TrailtoPeak.com

TrailtoPeak.com offers a comprehensive guide to the John Muir Trail (above).


Whether you’re looking for inspiration, trip reports, gear reviews, or hiking guides, Trail to Peak has an excellent variety. The founder, Drew Robinson, has done some serious hiking all over the world and offers advice for hikers and backpackers of all levels. There’s a lot of content on Trail to Peak, so it’s certainly worth a browse.

Hike Bike Travel

Image from HikeBikeTravel.comHike Bike Travel offers a guide to the GR221 in Mallorca

For the active wanderlust, Hike Bike Travel has a huge selection of outdoor travel guides and recommendations. From touring Venice Beach via cruiser bike to two-week itineraries in Iceland, Hike Bike Travel offers a good dose of travel envy. If you’re planning a trip, be sure to check it out!

The Path Less Pedaled

Bikepacking has finally become a mainstream thing, and Laura and Russ of The Path Less Pedaled are at the forefront of the revolution.  The adventurous couple have been cycling around the world, logging over 15,000 miles in three years. If you’re looking to get into bikepacking or bicycle tourism, check them out and see what they’ve been up to.

The Morning Fresh

The Morning Fresh by Katie Boue

The Morning Fresh is the personal blog of Katie Boué (above)

The Morning Fresh is the personal blog of Katie Boué, the social media expert at the Outdoor Industry Association. Though she doesn’t post often, she offers a unique insight into the outdoor industry and #outdoorist lifestyle. You’ve probably read some of Katie’s other work on the REI, Hipcamp, and Sierra Trading Post blogs, among others. She’s an avid climber, road tripper, and all-around adventurer. Certainly worth a read!

The Hiking Project

Hiking Project article about Deborah Jansen, photo by Ralph Arwood

Photograph from the Hiking Project - by Ralph Arwood

The ever popular online climbing guide Mountain Project has expanded its family (thanks in part to REI), to now include the MTB Project and Trail Run Project. In addition to the Hiking Project’s extensive selection of trail recommendations, it also has a fantastic blog with well-written and researched stories. There’s a superb story about a Florida Panther researcher out at the moment – check it out!    

Tagged: best outdoor blogs, bikepacking blogs, blogs about backpacking, blogs about hiking, Florida Panther research, HikeBikeTravel.com, Hiking Project, Katie Boue, outdoor adventure blogs, The Morning Fresh, The Path Less Pedaled, top outdoor blogs, Trail to Peak, travel blogs

How to start a travel blog

by Jill Schuman | March 29, 2017 | 0 Comments

How to start a travel blog, tips for travel blogging

Love to travel? Why not share your adventures via your own travel blog? Starting a blog can be as easy (or complicated!) as you want it to be and can be a great way of connecting with other likeminded adventurers. Even if you aren’t a globetrotter you can still write about interesting places in your own backyard that other readers might not know about! So check out these easy tips on starting your own travel blog. 

  1. Find a platform that works for you

There are numerous easy to use and popular blogging platforms. Wordpress, Tumblr, and Blogger are among the most used and each come with unique templates that make setting up your blog a breeze.

  1. Create an editorial schedule

The success of a blog is all about consistency and regularity. Once you commit to a posting schedule – everyday, once a week, every two weeks – stick to it. Your readers will come to rely on you, so don’t disappoint them! We’ve also found that creating a monthly editorial calendar helps alleviate the “what am I going to write about!” complex. Sketch out some ideas in advance so you don’t have to come up with something each time you post.

How to start travel blogging

  1. Find a unique angle and voice

Needless to say, there are thousands, if not millions, of sites in the blogosphere. What will make yours’ stand out? Find or make a niche for yourself. Present a perspective that only you can write about and master it. We’re sure you have something to say and have stories to tell that no one else can!

  1. Look in your own backyard

Check out the latest Granta travel issue and you’ll find that travel writing is a changing animal. Just as much as it’s about foreign destinations, so to is it about home. Try writing a travel style post about your town or state. Just because it’s not travel to you, doesn’t mean it’s not to someone else! What you find mundane, others might find interesting and unique!

  1. Share, share, share!

Share your content on all your social platforms and reach out to other travel bloggers. It’s a wonderful and supportive community. Suggest writing a guest pot for another blog to help spread the word. Speaking of, once you’re all setup, send us a link to your site! We’d love to see what you’re up to!

Tagged: blogging platforms, blogging tips, how to start a blog, how to start a travel blog, travel blogging, travel blogging tips, travel blogs