Great Smoky Mountain National Park – And The Machoists Got Pelted

January 26, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Since the early 90's, some old Appalachian Trail thru-hikers that I know have maintained the tradition of an annual winter hike. As I detailed in "40 at 40", the trip is never easy and is typically booked within a few weeks of the MLK holiday. After a four year absence, I made a guest appearance during their three-day ramble of the Great Smoky Mountain National Park this year. It was mid-way through their hike when we met up at the Mt. Collins Shelter after the machoists had gotten pelted by … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Appalachian Trail, Backpacking Articles, Great Smoky Mountain National Park, Winter Backpacking

How To Start A Fire With A Bag Of Doritos….

January 8, 2012 By Leave a Comment

In Scouts we were taught to start a fire with two matches, with batteries, steel wool, cotton/vaseline, and by rubbing two sticks together.  But this is one thing that didn't make the Scout Handbook:  … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Backpacking Articles, Backpacking Tips, Humor, Videos

Great Smoky Mountain National Park – 40 at 40

January 7, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Five to ten years ago when I was younger and in better shape, I joined a group of former thru-hikers for a multi-day and often strenuous winter backpacking trip. The hike was appropriately dubbed the MLK trip since it usually occurred on or around the three-day Martin Luther King weekend. The "M.O." of the MLK trip was (and continues to be) a 30-38 mile mega-hike, preferrably in snow, and always spanning four days. Typically we left town after work, fought traffic to some Mexican … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Backpacking Articles, Backpacking Trails, Great Smoky Mountain National Park, Winter Backpacking

You want the A.T. experience? Then get distracted.

January 6, 2012 By Leave a Comment

National Parks Traveler recently published an article titled Hiking The Appalachian National Scenic Trail: It Takes More Heart than Heel". and it was stated that ... the key to success for young people is to keep the distractions down. The more you stay on the trail, the better. If you go into town too much, you're spending money, maybe on alcohol, and you're not hiking. Well - you definitely spend money in town, and some thru-hikers definitely throw back a beer or two while there (this one … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Appalachian Trail, Backpacking Articles, Backpacking Trails, How To Hike & Backpack

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...]

Filed Under: Appalachian Trail, Backpacking Articles Tagged With:

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...]

Filed Under: Appalachian Trail, Backpacking Articles, Backpacking Trails
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