Nickolas Burciaga is a volunteer with the Orange County Sheriff’s Department Search and Rescue team and an avid hiker and backpacker who has explored trails around the world. His adventures include completing the entire John Muir Trail, backpacking New Zealand’s Great Walks, summiting Southern California’s six highest peaks, and climbing Mount Whitney in a single day. While he has hiked throughout Costa Rica, Australia, Hawaii, and numerous national parks, national forests, wilderness areas, and state parks, Nick also loves exploring his own backyard—from Orange County’s local trails and the San Gabriel Mountains to San Jacinto Peak—especially when his dog, Luna, can join him. Through Hiking 101, Nick hopes to help others gain the confidence and practical skills to explore the outdoors safely, push beyond their comfort zones, and discover how far one well-prepared step can take them—especially when the path is dirt.