BirdShooter’s Takeaways From Trail Days 2019

BirdShooter’s takeaways from Trail Days 20191. Trail Days is 10X the size it was when I last went in 1999 (our 5th year reunion)2. Separating the town from Tent City was a good idea3. Any registered police officer within a 6 county area works Trail Days4. Hiking 40 miles in to Damascus is easier than finding parking at Trail Days5. Trail Days is a business, there were ~60 vendors this year6. Trail Days is a party, somethings never change7. Tent City is a visual, cultural, and culinary … [Read more...]

Episode 63: Black Sunshine

In Episode 63, I speak with Black Sunshine about his 1994 thru-hike on the Appalachian Trail. This is the second release in a flashback series where we speak with 11 prospective thru-hikers about their attempt to complete the A.T. in a single year. It was recorded in Charlotte, N.C. on March 5th, 1995, and is part of a series to honor the 25th anniversary of our '94 thru-hike on the A.T. In the episode, Black Sunshine tells us about his winter start in Georgia, the Virginia blues, and his … [Read more...]

Episode 60: Troubadour

In Episode 60, Troubadour tells us about his 1994 thru-hike on the Appalachian Trail. This is the first release in a special bonus series to celebrate the 25th anniversary of our hike, and it was recorded at Trail Days on May 13, 1995 in Damascus, Virginia. After finishing the A.T. in 1994, Troubadour went on to hike the Pacific Crest Trail in 1999 and the Continental Divide Trails in 2002 - walking nearly 10,000 miles and completing the Triple Crown - which we discuss in detail in Episode … [Read more...]

Relaxing At The Campsite

The firewood has been collected, the tents have been pitched, and we are enjoying some snacks and beverages at our campsite on Rocky Mountain … [Read more...]

More Uphhill Awaits…

 Hiking the Appalachian Trail southbound from Unicoi Gap. It's a long climb ~1100 feet in the first 1.5 miles.  … [Read more...]

Episode 59: The Man Who Hiked It All

In Episode 59, I speak with Bart Smith (aka Infinite Dust) who was recently featured in Backpacker Magazine as "The Man Who Hiked It All".  Since 1992, Bart has hiked nearly 35,000 miles on 30 of America's National Scenic and Historic Trails - completing the last of the Trails by October 2nd, 2018 to coincide with the 50th anniversary of the National Trails Act. In the show, Bart tells us about his backcountry photography, the coffee table book he completed with Earl Shaffer on the … [Read more...]

Pleasant Pond Lean-To Register – October 1994

Just scanned the Pleasant Pond Lean-To Register - October 1994. I walked out of the 100 Mile Wilderness 24 years ago today - brings back some great memories. Hope to see everyone at Trail Days for our 25th.   ~ BirdShooter   … [Read more...]

Wayah Bald

Had a chance to #hike the #AppalachianTrail last weekend to Wayah Bald in N.C. Beautiful spring day. The black trees against the blue skies were dramatic to see. Ridge to the right of this photo was covered with black barren trees. … [Read more...]

Episode 51: NOBO

In Episode 51, I speak with 3 Dub (aka the World Wide Wanderer) who spent 7 months hiking northbound or NOBO on the Appalachian Trail last summer.  On March 26th I had the opportunity to see him off at Springer Mountain, and in the podcast we speak about his preparations for the hike, experiences on the Trail, and what the vibe is like as a 50+ year old thru-hiker. With the long distance hiking season ramping up ... 3Dub and I talk right before he departed for Europe and his spring hike … [Read more...]

Episode 49B: Hiking News 2017 (Coleman Ridge)

In Episode 49, the Camel, Pixie, and I review a few of the major U.S. hiking news events of 2017.  Some of the topics we discuss include nails on trails, backcountry treasures, girls joining the Boy Scouts, and the hardest partiers on the A.T. And in the spirit of giving you reasons to hike more in the New Year, we offer up the 52 hikes in 52 weeks challenge.  We also find inspiration in the youngest person to complete the triple crown (at age 9) and the oldest person to hike the … [Read more...]