Livin’ & Dyin’ On Hilton Head Time

April 1, 2024 By Leave a Comment

I've spent a lot of time in Hilton Head, South Carolina over the years, and once my parents purchased a house here in 1990 - my time on the island increased exponentially. Most tourists visit Hilton Head for the sandy beaches or for Sea Pines (where Harbor Town and South Beach are located). Yet there is a secret side of the island ... There are a number of trails in Hilton Head and in the nearby Town of Bluffton. I've walked most of these trails and have enjoyed seeing how they change … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Beaches, Hiking, Hiking Articles, Swamp Hiking, Swamps, Water Hikes

Backpacker Magazine – End Of An Era

December 19, 2022 By Leave a Comment

I’ve been reading Backpacker Magazine since 1992. Just heard this week that they will discontinue the print version. What a bummer. … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Backcountry Writing, Backpacking Adventures, Backpacking Articles

Episode 97: Above The Ashes (P2)

December 18, 2022 By Leave a Comment

In Episode 97, we continue our conversation with Kevin Conley about his book "Above The Ashes" which is a powerful memoir of his cross-country bike journey with dog Rocky. In part two of this podcast, Kevin talks about his trip, writing his book, fundraising for the Wildland Firefighters Foundation- and the incredible support that he received from family, friends, fellow firefighters, and many, many strangers on his ride. This journey helped Kevin overcome one of the darkest moments of his … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Backcountry Writing, Backpacking Adventures, Cross-Country Adventures, Podcasts

Episode 96: Above The Ashes (P1)

October 28, 2022 By Leave a Comment

In Episode 96, Kevin Conley is back on the show after a six year hiatus to tells us about his last few years as a wildland firefighter, his subsequent battle with mental illness, and his 3500 mile ride across the country to beat it. This journey helped Kevin overcome one of the darkest moments of his life which he details in his recently published book “Above The Ashes” - a powerful memoir of his journey with dog Rocky. We last spoke with Kevin in 2016 after his thru-hikes on the … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Appalachian Trail, Backcountry Writing, Backpacking Adventures, Books, Cross-Country Adventures, John Muir Trail, Long Distance Backpacking, Pacific Crest Trail, Podcasts, Thru-Hiker

The Jolly Roger

September 12, 2021 By Leave a Comment
Birdshooter-Country Club-The Camel

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 into his driveway after a long drive from Atlanta. The Camel had neighbors over when we arrived.  So we had a few beverages with them and enjoyed the sunset from the back … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Appalachian Trail, Backpacking Adventures, Backpacking Articles, Cows, Grayson Highlands State Park, Hiking Articles, Jefferson National Forest, National Forest, Panoramic Views, State Parks, Uncategorized, Wild Horses, Wildlife

Episode 84: The Shikoku Pilgrimage

January 16, 2021 By Leave a Comment

In Episode 84, Paul Barach tells us about his 750 mile and 42 day backpacking trip on the Shikoku Pilgrimage in Japan.  In the show, Paul shares the history of this religious Buddhist route, talks about hiking in traditional pilgrim clothing, and shares some of the challenges that he faced - including heat, hunger, injuries, and infections. You can check out Paul's book "Fighting Monks & Burning Mountains" for all the details, or listen to this interesting discussion about a little … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Backpacking, Backpacking Adventures, Backpacking Discussions, Books, Hiking, International Hikes, Long Distance Backpacking, Podcasts, Shikoku Trail

The Appalachian Trail @ 25 Years

July 24, 2020 By Leave a Comment

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. In the winter of 1994 I lived in Chicago.  I moved to Illinois from North Carolina and as a 20 something enjoyed the conveniences of this large city - walking to restaurants, bars, friend's houses, and taking the short train rides to Cubs and Bears games.    … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Appalachian Trail, Appalachian Trail Conservancy, Backcountry Writing, Backpacking, Backpacking Articles, Backpacking Trails, Backpacking Videos, Long Distance Backpacking, Long Distance Hiking, Photo Journals, Photos

Tough Times & Sassafras Mountain

April 19, 2020 By Leave a Comment
Russell Bridge Trailhead 9-15-01

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.  Here we are at the Chattooga River trailhead in 2001. Tough times are here again – albeit in a very different scenario.  Stay at home orders are in place, schools are … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Appalachian Trail, Appalachian Trail Conservancy, Backcountry Writing, Backpacking Articles, Backpacking With Kids, Backpacking With Your Dog, Camping With Kids, Camping With Your Dog, Hiking Articles, Hiking With Kids, National Forest, Photo Journals, Photos, Thru-Hiker, Trip Reports, With Dogs, With Kids

Episode 72: Right On Trek

January 29, 2020 By Leave a Comment

In Episode 72, Victoria Livschitz tells us about "Right On Trek", a website to help hikers and backpackers plan their multi-day backpacking trips.  Victoria did her first thru-hike on the John Muir Trail only a few years ago but has since embraced the sport and logged recent ventures into Patagonia and the Grand Canyon. She joins the show this evening to tell us about her introduction to backpacking, how it changed her life, and why the serial entrepreneur was motivated to create other tools … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Guidebooks, John Muir Trail, Long Distance Backpacking, Podcasts

Best Hiking Places In The United States

January 21, 2020 By Leave a Comment

Hiking is often considered to be a source of healthy exercise, both for the mind and the body. As we hike through the rough terrains, the uphill trails and the obstacles of mother nature, we exert physical exercise on our body, but at the same time, it's also about wandering the beauty of this earth and uncovering this beauty in various places where one might not expect to find it. Discovering the earth is the base human desire, it is simply something we're all born with. While spending some … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Appalachian Trail, Hiking, Hiking Articles, John Muir Trail, Long Distance Backpacking, National Parks
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