Privacy Policy

Last updated June 2026.

This Privacy Policy explains how Ryan Smith (“I,” “me,” or “my”) collects, uses, and shares information when you visit hiking.photos (the “Site”). hiking.photos is a personal nature hiking photography site featuring Ryan’s outdoor photography, videos, hike write-ups, optional maps, and occasional gear or affiliate recommendations.

The Site does not currently offer public user accounts, comments, forums, uploads, user profiles, paid memberships, subscriptions, direct payment processing, or GPX downloads. Certain optional features, including Google Analytics, Grafana Faro, and interactive maps, load only based on your consent or choice, as described below.

1. Who runs this site

The Site is owned and operated by Ryan Smith, an individual based in the United States. For privacy questions or requests, contact me through the contact page.

2. Information collected

2.1 Information collected automatically

When you visit the Site, the Site and its service providers may automatically process technical information such as:

IP address
Browser type, version, language, and user-agent string
Operating system and device type
Referring page and pages visited on the Site
Approximate geographic location derived from IP address, such as country or region
Date and time of the visit
Request URL, HTTP method, response status, and similar server-log details

2.2 Server logs, hosting, and security

The Site is hosted and delivered using Amazon Web Services, including Amazon CloudFront. AWS, CloudFront, and the Site’s web server automatically process request information as part of normal operation. This is necessary to serve pages and media, route and cache traffic, debug errors, protect the Site from abuse or attacks, and comply with legal obligations.

Server and CDN logs may include your IP address, request date and time, requested URL, HTTP method, response status and size, referring URL, and user-agent string. This operational logging does not depend on cookie consent because it is necessary for the Site to function and does not rely on optional tracking cookies.

2.3 Information you provide

If you contact me through the contact form or by email, I collect the information you choose to provide, such as your name, email address, and message contents, so I can respond and maintain appropriate records.

3. Cookies and similar technologies

The Site may use cookies, local storage, session storage, and similar browser-based technologies to support site functionality, remember privacy or consent choices, load optional embedded features such as maps, and measure site usage or performance where enabled.

The Site does not use browser storage to create public user accounts, maintain public logged-in sessions, process payments, enable public comments, or support public uploads.

Strictly necessary technologies. These support basic site operation, security, consent preferences, and other functions needed for the Site to work properly.
Matomo analytics. The Site uses self-hosted Matomo analytics configured to run without cookies and without storing identifiers on your device. Matomo is used by default to understand aggregate Site usage and performance.
Google Analytics. Google Analytics runs only if you accept it through the cookie banner or consent controls. If enabled, Google Analytics may use cookies or similar technologies to measure Site usage in aggregate.
Grafana Faro. Grafana Faro runs only if you accept it through the cookie banner or consent controls. If enabled, it may use browser storage to group performance signals from a single visit.
Embedded maps and third-party features. The optional interactive trail map loads only when you choose to load it. When loaded, your browser requests map tiles from the U.S. Geological Survey, which may then process information as described in section 4.1.

You can change your cookie and tracking choices at any time using the “Cookie Preferences” link in the footer. You can also control cookies and some browser storage technologies through your browser settings, although disabling them may affect Site features, consent preferences, analytics choices, or map functionality.

4. Third-party services

4.1 Interactive maps

Some hike pages offer an optional interactive trail map. It does not load automatically; it loads only when you choose to load it. Until then, the page shows a simple route outline drawn by the Site itself, with no third-party contact. Elevation charts are rendered entirely by the Site and never contact a third party.

The interactive map uses Leaflet, an open-source mapping library served from the Site’s own infrastructure, with topographic map tiles from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) “The National Map.” When you choose to load the map, your browser requests map tiles directly from USGS servers, which may receive your IP address, browser and device information, and the tiles you request. USGS is a U.S. government agency; its handling of such information is described in the USGS policies and notices.

4.2 Google Analytics

If you consent through the cookie banner or consent controls, the Site uses Google Analytics, provided by Google LLC, to collect aggregate data about how visitors use the Site. Google Analytics may use cookies and may transfer data to Google servers in the United States or other locations. Information collected may include pages viewed, time on the Site, approximate location, device information, and similar usage data. Google Analytics does not load if you decline or ignore the applicable consent option.

4.3 Matomo analytics

The Site uses Matomo, a self-hosted analytics platform, to understand aggregate Site usage and performance. Matomo is configured to run without cookies and without storing identifiers on your device. IP anonymization is enabled, and Matomo data is stored on infrastructure operated for the Site rather than shared with third-party advertising networks.

4.4 Grafana Faro

The Site may use Grafana Faro, a self-hosted front-end monitoring tool, to understand real-browser performance and reliability. If you consent, Faro may collect technical performance information such as page-load timing, Web Vitals, JavaScript errors, basic device and browser information, page information, and a randomly generated session identifier stored in browser web storage. Faro does not use cookies and is not shared with third-party advertising networks. Faro does not load if you decline or ignore the applicable consent option.

4.5 Hosting and content delivery

The Site is served through cloud infrastructure operated by Amazon Web Services, including Amazon CloudFront. The Site’s origin infrastructure is in the United States, and CloudFront may process requests through edge locations worldwide to deliver and cache pages and media. AWS processes this information on the Site’s behalf to provide hosting, delivery, caching, reliability, and security functions.

Photos and videos on the Site are Ryan’s nature photography, do not intentionally depict people, and are served from the Site’s own infrastructure. Some hikes also offer a downloadable trail-map PDF, which is likewise served from the Site’s own infrastructure. The Site does not use third-party media players or public user-upload galleries.

4.6 Affiliate links

Some posts may contain affiliate links, including Amazon affiliate links. If you click an affiliate link, the destination site may process information about your visit and may use cookies or similar technologies to attribute a purchase. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Affiliate links cost you nothing extra.

5. How information is used

To operate, maintain, secure, and improve the Site
To deliver pages, photos, videos, maps, and related Site features
To understand, in aggregate, how the Site is used
To monitor Site performance and reliability where consented
To respond to messages you send
To detect and prevent abuse, excessive traffic, spam, and security incidents
To comply with legal obligations

I do not sell your personal information, use it for third-party advertising, or share it with data brokers.

I share information only as needed to operate the Site with the service providers described in this Policy; when required by law or valid legal process; to protect the rights, safety, and security of myself, visitors, the Site, or the public; or in connection with a business transaction involving the Site, in which case the recipient would be expected to honor this Policy or provide appropriate notice of any changes.

7. Your rights and choices

Cookie and consent choices. Use the “Cookie Preferences” link in the footer to update your choices for Google Analytics and Grafana Faro. The optional interactive map loads only when you choose to load it.

Browser controls. You can control cookies, local storage, and some tracking technologies through your browser settings. Blocking these technologies may affect certain Site features.

Privacy requests. Depending on where you live, you may have rights to request access to, deletion of, correction of, or information about personal information handled through the Site. To make a request, contact me through the contact page. I will respond as required by applicable law.

California residents. I do not sell or share personal information as those terms are commonly used under California privacy law, and I do not knowingly collect sensitive personal information through the Site. California residents may have rights to know, delete, correct, and opt out of certain uses of personal information, subject to applicable exceptions.

International visitors. The Site is operated from the United States and delivered through infrastructure that may process requests in the United States and other locations. If you visit from outside the United States, your information may be transferred to and processed in countries where privacy laws may differ from those in your location.

8. Data retention

I keep personal information only as long as reasonably necessary for the purposes described in this Policy, unless a longer period is required or permitted by law.

Server and CDN logs. Web server and Amazon CloudFront request logs are retained for approximately 90 days and then deleted or rotated.
Matomo analytics. Self-hosted analytics data is retained for up to 24 months for trend analysis and then purged.
Google Analytics. Google Analytics data is collected only with consent and retained according to the configured Google Analytics retention setting (up to 26 months) and Google’s policies.
Grafana Faro. Faro data is collected only with consent and retained for up to 90 days for performance and reliability analysis (stored in self-hosted Grafana Loki, with traces in Grafana Tempo retained for about 14 days).
Contact messages. Contact messages are retained as long as needed to respond, maintain records, and comply with legal obligations, unless deletion is appropriate and requested.

9. Children’s privacy

The Site is intended for a general audience and is not directed to children under 13. I do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If you believe a child has provided personal information through the Site, contact me and I will take appropriate steps to delete it.

10. Security

I use reasonable administrative, technical, and physical measures to protect information handled through the Site. However, no method of transmission or storage over the internet is completely secure, and I cannot guarantee absolute security.

11. External links

The Site may link to websites or services I do not control, including affiliate partners, outdoor resources, and map or technology providers. I am not responsible for the content, availability, terms, or privacy practices of those third parties. Review their policies before providing information to them.

12. Changes to this Privacy Policy

I may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. The “Last updated” date above reflects the most recent version. Material changes may be highlighted on the Site or reflected in an updated posting. The current posted version describes the Site’s privacy practices.

13. Contact

Questions about this Privacy Policy or your personal information can be sent through the contact page.