BirdShooter's Backpacking Blog & Podcast Series
REI opened their 5th store in the Atlanta metro area today in Alpharetta, GA and clearly their marketing folks have figured it out. There were over 800 people waiting in line at 10am when the doors opened. Yeah .... people love free stuff, and REI delivered. The first 200 in the door received a water bottle with a $25-100 gift card inside. I opted to head back to work rather than line up as shopper #804. How in the world did so many people get off work mid-morning … [Read more...]
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, about two men past their prime trying to figure out what to do in their dotage, is handled far too simply to have real impact. The result is something that is just fine. It’s … [Read more...]
There are four times the number of Appalachian Trail thru-hikers hiking and camping in Baxter State Park than there were 20 years ago - when I did my hike. According to Jensen Bissell, Director of Baxter State Park, this is straining resources. "From the perspective of Baxter Park, we are concerned that the use of Baxter Park is nearing or has surpassed an acceptable limit for the facilities and effort available from the Park to accomodate A.T. hikers" A letter to ATC Executive … [Read more...]
Just got my Georgia A.T. tag in the mail. $10 annually goes to the ATC for Appalachian Trail projects in Georgia. These include: trail and facilities maintenance, scenic easements and view preservation, environmental monitoring, increased public information, and education and outreach to Georgia residents. PA, VA, TN, and NC are also participating. If you live in these States and want to support the A.T., follow this link. … [Read more...]
The movie Wild premieres today - November 5th - and details a woman's 1000+ mile journey on the Pacific Crest Trail. Here's an interesting quote in the NY Times from Reece Witherspoon, who plays author Cheryl Strayed in the the movie: "I said to my producing partner, ‘If we can pull this off, this’ll be the first movie, I believe, I can’t recall, but that stars a woman that at the very end has no money, no man, no parents, no job, no opportunities, and it’s a happy ending." … [Read more...]
Just found some vintage footy from this legend in the A.T. Thru-Hiking community. I saw him speak at Trail Days many years ago and actually purchased this 1993 Lynne Whelden "How To" video right before I hit the Trail … [Read more...]
Blind Courage, a great early 90's book on the Appalachian Trail and an inspiring story of blind thru-hiker Bill Irwin. Help support the movie at http/:www.blindcouragethemovie.com … [Read more...]
Here's an interesting article about over reliance on technology on the Trail. From Glacier National Park and reported by the Magic City Morning Star: "I don't know what to do," she said several times. And that, of course, was the problem. They were strangers in this strange land of "no cell service." No texts. No calls. No contact. And while the manager offered her options, the girl's reaction got me thinking. This almost teenager wasn't prepared to handle … [Read more...]
I read Bill Irwin's book during my 1994 thru-hike - very inspiring. He was the first blind hiker to hike the entire Appalachian Trail and did it with the assistance of his dog Orient. Sad to hear that he has passed over the weekend: "Bill Irwin, who in 1990 became the first and only blind person to hike the entire length of the Appalachian Trail without human assistance or companionship, died Saturday morning." A video story on You Tube... … [Read more...]
Started tracking podcast downloads last April. Just cleared 10,000. Thanks to all the listeners! Another show coming soon.... https://n2backpacking.com/category/podcasts/ … [Read more...]
