U.S. Forest Service Discourages Backcountry Camping In Panthertown Valley

November 8, 2012 By Leave a Comment

In the last five years, I've noticed a lot more backcountry visitors to Panthertown Valley during my day and overnight hikes in the area. It seems the bears have followed. The US Forest Service in North Carolina issed this alert on October 29th: JACKSON COUNTY, N.C. — The U.S. Forest Service is discouraging people from backcountry camping and from bringing food into the Panthertown Valley area of the Nantahala Ranger District, Nantahala National Forest, following several bear encounters. … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Backpacking Articles, Backpacking Trails, Wildlife

October Superstorm “Sandy” Hits The Smokies

November 1, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Snow in The Smokies is a common occurance in the winter - especially in the higher elevations - but snow drifts of 5 feet? And before Halloween? Unbelievable. Here's an Associated Press quote from a local newspaper describing a man that got caught on the Appalachian Trail between Pecks Corner and Tri-Corner Knob Shelter: GATLINBURG, Tenn. (AP) — A man trying to hike the entire 2,180 miles of the Appalachian Trail was rescued Friday after calling 911 to say he didn’t think he’d be able … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Appalachian Trail, Backpacking Articles, Great Smoky Mountain National Park, Long Distance Backpacking, National Parks, Storms, Winter Hiking

Thru-Hiking – What I Really Do

July 26, 2012 By Leave a Comment

These "What I Really Do" templates are everywhere these days and now I understand why. There's actually a template for them on the web. A hiking friend recently sent me this one, and I have to say that they nailed it for Thru-Hiking. If you've ever hiked long distances on the Appalachian Trail, Continental Divide Trail, or any major Trail, I think you'll agree. … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Backpacking Articles, Humor, Long Distance Backpacking, Photos

You Cannot Stay On The Summit Forever

July 13, 2012 By Leave a Comment

George Mallory is quoted as having replied to the question "Why do you want to climb Mount Everest?" with the retort "Because it's there". A friend recently sent this quote to me with the attached photo which says it more eloquently: You cannot stay on the summit forever; you have to come down again. So why bother in the first place? Just this: What is above knows what is below, but what is below does not know what is above. One climbs, one sees. One descends, one sees no longer, but one … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Appalachian Trail, Backpacking Articles, Backpacking Trails, Photos

Letting Rebel Go: Saying Goodbye To Man’s Best Friend

May 6, 2012 By Leave a Comment

I miss my dog – not that I don’t have a new one, but I can’t forget my old one. It was 18 months ago, when Rebel sat outside the door watching me pack for a hike to The Perch in North Georgia. He died within ten days of that trip, and I vividly recall (and photographed) him sitting by my shop door – barking as if to join me. Arthritis kept him from the trail in his later years, but he never gave up hope that I might take him along. I have a new dog now, and he too has taken to the … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Backpacking Articles, Backpacking Discussions, Backpacking With Your Dog, Camping With Your Dog Tagged With: , , ,

The Most Influential Backpackers Of All Time

March 30, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Has it ever been debated on who are the most influential hikers of all time (Top 5)? With the creation of the A.T. Museum, I know there was discussion about the most influential Appalachian Trail backpackers of all time (ie. Earl Shaffer), but what about in general? I'd argue that Earl Shaffer makes that cut for pioneering the first "official" thru-hike, but what about someone like "Flyin' Brian" Robinson who became the first hiker to conquer hiking's Triple Crown in a calendar year? He … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Backpacking Articles, Backpacking Discussions

There Is Magic On The Appalachian Trail

March 30, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Spring is a special time on the Appalachian Trail. Every year, 2000+ people show up at Springer Mountain (the official start of the A.T. in Georgia) to head north. In 1994, I was one of those people - and ever since I pause for a moment to think about the next group to head North. This year, I had a friend making the annual pilgrimage and drove across town to meet Scott "Zip" Willits on 3/16/12. We met up at his sister's house in metro-Atlanta, and it was a beautiful spring day - the kind … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Appalachian Trail, Backpacking Articles, Backpacking With Your Dog, Long Distance Backpacking, Videos Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,
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