outdoor sport, hiking gear Since moving to Southern California, I have yet to drive an hour or so outside of the cities for some hardcore hiking trails. What I have been doing is finding the trails nearby. The area I live in is surrounded with rolling hills that make for perfect hiking spots. They vary in difficulty but for the most part the only hiking gear I bring are supportive shoes and a bottle of water.  At the top of the trail, I go to the most often, there is a sweeping view of downtown LA, Hollywood and all in between. Off to the side there are some amazing looking homes. It is crazy to me how some people build in what looks like such precarious hillside locations. This is earthquake country but there are more then a few homes in the hills that look like they could come off their supports any minute.

Getting off work in mid afternoon, since the time change, this outdoor sport can get pretty dark, quick. If I were going to a trail with less people, a portable GOPS unit would be the perfect piece of hiking gear to stay on the right path. Right now, I stick to outdoor sport hiking shoes when buying gear online.