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Sunset in the Jefferson National Forest
The Jolly Roger
Two of my backpacking friends had milestone birthdays in 2021, and we had grand plans to celebrate on distant mountains in the western U.S.  But after numerous attempts to synchronize schedules, we settled on a road trip to The Camel’s mountain house near Hays, N.C. to celebrate his 60th.  Here we are pulling in his driveway after a long drive from Atlanta.
Gooch Gap Campsite 2020
Tough Times & Sassafras Mountain
There was a period nearly 20 years ago when times were tough.  Airlines stopped flying, people stopped working, and the media spouted doom and gloom on cable TV for 24 hours a day.  It was 9/11/01, and my first impulse was to get to the wilderness.  So when the weekend came, that is exactly what we did.  

 

The Appalachian Trail @ 25 Years
It's been 25 years since I set out to thru-hike the Appalachian Trail.  Time has moved exponentially since then, and I now appreciate that there are a few pivotal years in your life. 1994 was the year for me.

Camino de Santiago
In Episode 56, 3 Dub (aka the World Wide Wanderer) returns to the show to tell us about his spring hike on the 477 mile Camino de Santiago through the countries of France and Spain.  You might recall that Phillip spent 7 months hiking northbound or “NOBO” on the Appalachian Trail last summer and that we spoke in Episode #51 only a few days before his departure to Europe to hike the Camino.

3W - Thru-Hiker Rendevous
I have a friend hiking the Appalachian Trail this year and his schedule (and some inclement weather) had him take a zero day in Gatlinburg, TN which gave us an opportunity to catch up with him last weekend.  Here is the World Wide Wanderer (aka 3W) relaxing on the balcony of the LeConte View Motel.
Machu Picchu
In Episode 48, Cardiac and Drone Boy discuss their summer backpacking trip on the Inca Trail in Peru. Their four day hike took them over ~14,000 feet peaks in the legendary Andes Mountains and culminated at the ancient Inca city of Machu Picchu – which is one of the most photographed tourist destinations in South America.
The Most Influential Hikers & Backpackers Of All Time
In Episode 35, we discuss the most influential hikers and backpackers of all time as we sit by a campfire in North Georgia on an autumn night with coyotes running wild in the background.  First, a shout out to the trail conferences, clubs, maintainers, ridge-runners, trail angels, and financial benefactors to Trail – because you are collectively more important than any individual for your contributions.  But tonight we review some of the names that came up the most frequently in hiking and backpacking forums when we posted the question to the trail community.

50 Hikes 50 States 50 Years
As someone who likes to hike and backpack, I decided a number of years ago that I wanted to hike 50 trails in 50 States before I was 50 years old.  I’m certain that I’m not the first to do this – although I made the decision without any outside influence and with two basic rules...

Showers And Flowers In Panthertown...
Panthertown Valley is one of my favorite hiking spots in North Carolina. It is located near Cashiers, NC in the western section of the State and was purchased by the Nature Conservancy from Duke Power in 1989.  Panthertown is now part of the Nantahala National Forest and has been growing rapidly in popularity – especially over the last ten years.
Leaving Las Vegas....
There is nothing better than escaping a trade show in Las Vegas for the backcountry and fresh air of Zion National Park. After a 3 hour drive Fuller and I arrive in Springdale, UT and stay a short distance from the park. Our first mission is to hike the Hidden Canyon Trail.
A Thru-Hiker Looks At 20
It’s been 20 years since I thru-hiked the Appalachian Trail.  There’s no doubt, it was a different Trail back then – fewer thru-hikers, no cell phones, and no websites to research the A.T. prior to heading out. 
Backcountry 101-Rookie Mistakes
In Episode 24, We satisfy a listener request for a show on backcountry basics.  Recorded at a remote campsite on the Chattooga River, I speak with Therm Rider and The Camel about some of our rookie mistakes in the backcountry and smart things that we’ve done since our first ventures in to the wilderness.
100% Chance Of Rain? Backpacking To Plum Orchard Shelter
The weatherman said there was a 100% chance of rain today, and he was 100% right!  It rained all morning, and all afternoon.....

Walk In The Woods Premieres To Mixed Reviews
Walk In The Woods premiered at the Sundance Film Festival this week to mixed reviews.  Here's a sampling.  The Guardian "Plenty of silly little incidents ensue along the way, with lots of jokes about advancing years. Most of these episodes are far too low-stakes to carry a movie and the bigger picture..

Baxter State Park Needs Federal Funding, And Soon!
A letter to ATC Executive Director, Ron Tiptop, lays out the current issues – many of which focus on thru-hikers that overwhelm park resources and occasionally don’t follow the rules of Baxter Park (ie. no public consumption of alchohol or drugs, camping only designated areas, no dogs in to the park, etc).
Working Off Thanksgiving Dinner - An Overnight In Panthertown Valley
After fattening up on Thanksgiving dinner, The Camel meets us in North Carolina for a hike in to Panthertown Valley.
From Movie Set To Backcountry Set, A Walk In The Woods On The Appalachian Trail
You may have heard that Walk In The Woods is filming now in the Atlanta area, and Friday I was cast as an extra in a bunkroom scene with actors Robert Redford and Nick Nolte.  True to the book, it was set at Rainbow Springs, N.C. after an April snowstorm
When The Weatherman Blows The Forecast (aka Our Epic Venture To Long Branch Shelter)
It is sunny when we leave Atlanta and the forecast is for temperatures in the 50’s in nearby Franklin, N.C. But as we drive the 2 1/2 hours north to the Appalachian Trail we spot a line of clouds and a cold front pushing in from the Northwest.
There's Rattlesnakes Among Us
Friends of ours camp nearby tonight and have bears wandering in their camp near Preacher Rock. They opt to hike out at midnight, but our encounter is less dramatic. We only find an angry rattlesnake in the middle of the trail that quickly slithers off.
Roswell-Mill
Roswell Mill Has It All:  Hiking, Geocaching, Burgers, & Brew
It was a beautiful day for a hike last weekend, and we mixed in some geocaching with the boys as we hit the trail.  Here’s the view from the Roswell Mill parking area looking down at the bridge over Vickery Creek (which is also called Big Creek on some maps).
You Want The A.T. Experience? Then Get Distracted.
Take a side hike up Siler Bald, go swimming in the pool at Caledonia State Park, take the gondola ride down to Killington – and yes, stay a night or two in a trail town.
Did Earl Shaffer Take A Shortcut On The First Documented Appalachian Trail Thru-Hike?
In the research, McNeely discovered evidence that Earl Shaffer bypassed at least 170 miles of the trail which, if true, will alter the history of the Appalachian Trail forever – much as proving George Mallory didn’t actually summit Mount Everest would forever alter the history of mountain

Backpacking Blog

PHOTO FROM BIRDSHOOTER

August 18, 2022 By BirdShooter Leave a Comment

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JEFFERSON NATIONAL FOREST – SUMMER 2021

August 15, 2022 By BirdShooter Leave a Comment

Summer 2021 trip in Virginia's Jefferson National Forest to celebrate Roger's MEGA B-Day. It only took 6 months to get this together, but cheers to my favorite peasant!!! And yes the horses are … Read More...

PROTECTED: DRONE VIDEO FROM MOUNTAIN RETREAT PORCH

August 13, 2022 By BirdShooter Leave a Comment

This content is password protected. To view it please enter your password below: Password: … Read More...

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August 18, 2022

Area 15 in Vegas is kinda trippy!

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August 11, 2022

The night sky in Beaverstone Bay Ontario, Canada

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June 21, 2022

Hike Naked Day is back! What you need to know from the AJC https://www.ajc.com/lifestyles/what-you-need-know-about-naked-hiking-day/JGdt3wVX0AxwhvFfhd4FVM/

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Backpacking Podcasts

EPISODE 95B: FIRST TIMERS

July 12, 2022 By BirdShooter Leave a Comment

In Episode 95B, we are deep in the backcountry at a campsite on the Benton MacKaye Trail where we sit around the campfire and discuss some"first time" experiences in the wilderness.  Therm Rider, Beer Run, & Sons all share the first time they found themselves offensive, took a crap in the … Read More...

EPISODE 94: TICKS!!!

May 10, 2022 By BirdShooter Leave a Comment

In Episode 94, Brian Anderson (aka "The Tick Terminator") joins the show to educate us on your biggest danger in the backcountry - TICKS!!!  In the podcast, we discuss the tick lifecycle, when and where they are most likely to find you, how to prevent ticks, and what to do if one embeds in your … Read More...

EPISODE 93: OCEAN TO LAKE TRAIL

March 27, 2022 By BirdShooter Leave a Comment

In Episode 93, John Phillips joins the show to talk about the Ocean To Lake Trail in Central Florida. This 61.4 mile spur of the Florida Trail starts at Lake Okeechobee and heads due east to Hobe Sound Beach where it ends at the Atlantic Ocean. In the show, John tells us what it’s like hiking all … Read More...

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