Final Backcountry Shelter Renovated In The Smokies

January 6, 2012 By Leave a Comment

I just read an article in The Washington Post that the final shelter in the Smokies was renovated at Laurel Gap Shelter which is the last of 15 shelters to be modified: The work involved improved natural lighting, a cooking area to separate food odors from sleeping space; better bunk access; new roofs; masonry repair; and drainage upgrades. Having hiked and stayed in shelters frequently in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park - I applaud the volunteers of the Friends of the Smokies, the … [Read more...]

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Spectacular North Dakota Hikes – Bring the Dog

November 17, 2011 By Leave a Comment

For those of you longing for a "Best Hikes With Dogs - North Dakota" book, wait no longer. Susan Wefald, recently released her guidebook, "Spectacular North Dakota Hikes - Bring the Dog." No word on why the good folks at Mountaineer Books didn't get to Susan first (as they don't have a North Dakota book yet) but here's an article published in the Bismark Tribune with more details on her latest hiking publication: The book is a profile of the best places to go hiking across the state, covering … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Backpacking Articles, Backpacking Trails, Backpacking With Your Dog, Camping With Your Dog

The 10 Best Hikes In The Smokies

October 27, 2011 By 2 Comments

By Bob Foster (guest writer) Stretching more than 2,100 miles from Main to Georgia, the Appalachian Trail is the longest trail in the United States. 71 of these miles meander through the Great Smoky Mountain National Park, beginning at the Davenport Gap in northeast Tennessee and exiting at the Fontana Dam in southwest North Carolina. Of the numerous hiking trails that follow the Smokies? crest, here are ten particulars that offer some of the most beautiful views of the park. Consider distance … [Read more...]

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12 Tips To Make Backpacking With Your Dog A Great Experience

October 19, 2011 By Leave a Comment

By Rob Brooking Imagine yourself backpacking with your dog. That would be a great and enjoyable experience for sure. Going on a camping trip is perfect if you need some time to have fun and relax with your best buddy, and it will greatly strengthen your bond. Tips for Backpacking With Your Dog Acquire a proper ID tags and dog license for your dog. Include in the ID tags your pet's name, your name and address and phone number for safety purposes. Consider using a crate in … [Read more...]

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The Best Hikes In The Southeastern U.S.

August 11, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Backpacker Magazine just announced their Reader's Choice picks for the best hikes  of 2011.  Since I am most familiar with the Southeastern U.S. - I'll focus on the top picks in this area: 1. Ramsey Cascades, Great Smokies, TN - I've hiked countless miles in the Smokies and did a 30+ mile trip starting at Elkmont and ending at Laurel Creek Road, but the Ramesey Cascades have somehow escaped me.  Guess it's time to check this one out.  You can follow this link for maps of the Great Smoky … [Read more...]

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Did Earl Shaffer Take A Shortcut On The First Documented Appalachian Trail Thru-Hike?

August 1, 2011 By 1 Comment

It is customary in the world of Appalachian Trail thru-hiking to pick a trail name, and in 1994 after reading Wingfoot's Thru-Hiker's Handbook - I came to realize that it was better to choose a trail name rather than have someone pick one for me. So after completing Earl Shaffer's Walking With Spring, I decided to take the trail name "BirdShooter" which was the brand name of the hiking boots that carried Earl Shaffer 2000+ miles up the East Coast and in to history as the first hiker … [Read more...]

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Bears On The Appalachain Trail (At Blood Mountain)

April 22, 2011 By Leave a Comment
Along The Appalachian Trail

The Appalachian Trail made the news across the media channels in Atlanta last week when the U.S. Forest Service closed a section of the trail from Jarrard Gap to Neels Gap near Dahlonega, GA.  Persistent bear activity caused the trail closure in a section of trail that is heavily used by both day hikers and overnight backpackers around Blood Mountain.  My first thought was of the 2011 thru-hikers that had just started out and who were now making their way from Georgia … [Read more...]

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Springer Fever

March 16, 2011 By Leave a Comment

I always get nostalgic this time of year for a hike to Springer Mountain on the Appalachian Trail (or on the A.T. as it is more affectionately called).  It was 17 years ago this April that I left Amicalola Falls State Park near Dahlonega, Georgia and began a 2000+ mile thru-hike on the Appalachian Trail.  Since then, the A.T. has had countless hours of volunteer work to maintain, upgrade, and re-route the footpath which has added nearly 30 miles to the route since 1994 (the year of my … [Read more...]

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