Episode 32: Advanced Rookie Mistakes (B201)

June 19, 2016 By Leave a Comment

In Episode 32, the conversation on Rookie Mistakes continues as we sit fireside on Justus Creek along the Appalachian Trail in North Georgia. In this discussion, Beer Run, PokeyBo, and Therm Rider talk about some classic rookie moves: taking the wrong gear, hiking above your skill level, and taking too much. “Backcountry 201” is the second installment in this mini-series where we sit around the campfire and discuss the fundamentals of backpacking.  In this episode, we go "off trail" … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Appalachian Trail, Appalachian Trail Conservancy, Backpacking Discussions, Backpacking Hacks, Backpacking Tips, Gear, How To Hike & Backpack, Humor, Management, Mishaps, National Forest, Podcasts, Trail Talk

Ramrock Mountain 2002 v’s 2016

May 16, 2016 By Leave a Comment

Here's what 14 years can do to an overlook on the Appalachian Trail.  Ramrock Mountain and the view in 2002... And the same view looking toward the southeast in 2016.  Note the rock in the center of the photo and tree cover in the background.  The tree to the left in the photo above is no longer there. Granted - the 2002 photo was taken in March with no leave cover and the above photo was taken in May, but it's amazing how fast the Southern forest grows.  We enjoyed what … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Appalachian Trail, Appalachian Trail Conservancy, Flora, Photos

I AM NO LONGER ON EASTERN TIME. NOW ON MOUNTAIN TIM

May 13, 2016 By Leave a Comment

… [Read more...]

Filed Under: Appalachian Trail, Backpacking With Your Dog

Episode 31: Grandma Gatewood’s Walk

April 25, 2016 By 2 Comments

In Episode 31, we discuss the life and legacy of Emma "Grandma" Gatewood, who at 67 years old was the first woman to solo thru-hike the Appalachian Trail.  Author Ben Montgomery gives us an intimate look at this extraordinary lady who overcame financial hardship, survived domestic and sexual abuse, and had 11 children and 23 grand children when she left a small town in Ohio to walk the A.T. in 1955. The book, Grandma Gatewood's Walk is now a New York … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Appalachian Trail, Appalachian Trail Conservancy, Long Distance Backpacking, Podcasts, Trail Talk

Saturday April 9, 1994: Packed and ready for my #AppalachianTrail #thruhike

April 10, 2016 By Leave a Comment

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Filed Under: Appalachian Trail, Long Distance Backpacking

Don’t quit your day job :)

January 9, 2016 By Leave a Comment

Here's what ~22 hours as a #walkinthewoods extra will get you.  Don't quit your day job :) … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Appalachian Trail, Backpacking Movies, Humor, Long Distance Hiking

Episode 29: SOBO

December 21, 2015 By Leave a Comment

In Episode 29, we discuss the expected surge of Appalachian Trail thru-hikers this spring and why a southbound hike might be the right decision for you in 2016.  On the show, Popeye talks about his southbound (SOBO) thru-hike and we debunk many of the myths of walking south from Maine to Georgia: dealing with the weather, the insects, the lack of community, the lack of services, and the immediate challenge of terrain. Popeye and I met at Tray Mountain when he was … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Appalachian Trail, Appalachian Trail Conservancy, Backpacking Trails, Hollywood Movies, Long Distance Backpacking, Podcasts

Episode 28: The Benton MacKaye Trail

October 24, 2015 By Leave a Comment

In Episode 28, Sprinkles and NoKey discuss their ultimate summer:  Thru-hiking 1400 miles on four major trails along the East Coast - including the Benton MacKaye, Finger Lakes, Northville-Placid and Long Trails. Forewarning, we spend the majority of the podcast discussing their 20 day, ~290 mile hike on the Benton MacKaye Trail - a great alternative to the Appalachian Trail in the South - but there's lots of great tips on backpacking and thru-hiking in general. So listen in - … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Appalachian Trail, Benton MacKaye Trail, Gear, Long Distance Backpacking, Long Distance Hiking, Podcasts, The Long Trail

Fall always makes me think of Katahdin

October 7, 2015 By Leave a Comment

Fall always makes me think of Katahdin - October 6th, 1994.  A few pics from 21 years ago today... … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Appalachian Trail, Long Distance Backpacking, Long Distance Hiking

Return Of The Dana!

August 29, 2015 By Leave a Comment

In the mid-90', Dana Design was the backpack for thru-hikers on the Appalachian Trail.  I liked mine so much that I bought a second one two years after my thru-hike despite the steep price of $400+ And Dana Gleason, founder of his namesake Dana Designs, has returned to the market!  After selling his company and watching a series of outdoor companies fumble with a once dominant brand - Dana is back (and so is the Terraplane). The U.S. Military and U.S. Forest Service "hot shot" … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Appalachian Trail, Backpacking, Backpacking Articles, Gear, Hiking, Hiking Articles, Hiking Gear, Humor, Long Distance Backpacking Tagged With: , , , ,
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