Brett (aka Therm Rider) and I start the hike at the Byron Herbert Reece Trailhead which gives us a bonus 1.7 mile hike this afternoon. We reach the Appalachian Trail after a gradual climb of 0.7 miles. After a mile descent, we meet up with Ken (aka Beer Run) at Neel's Gap. He's been watching our packs and the 20 bikers that rolled in to the parking area this afternoon. Bears are active and aggressive in this area. Parts of the Blood Mountain Wilderness have mandatory bear canister rules in … [Read more...]
Protected: Cocktail Hour At Wolf Top Laurel
June 3, 2013 By Leave a Comment
This content is password-protected. To view it, please enter the password below. Password: … [Read more...]
Rattlesnakes In Them Thar Hills
June 3, 2013 By Leave a Comment
We were hiking the Appalachian Trail just north of Neels Gap and ran in to this Timber Rattlesnake crossing the path during a hike to Wolf Laurel Top. Fortunately, Ken was leading us because both Brett and I were listening to our iPods to motivate us up an 800' incline. Let that be a lesson ... if you plan to rock out during your hike, then take position in the back of the pack! Follow this link for a photo of the rattlesnake! … [Read more...]
The Frank Costanza Effect
June 3, 2013 By Leave a Comment
Brett show's off his Frank Costanza look while Boone Dawg chomps at gnats. Yeah ... it's sunset on Wolf Laurel Top and time to relax after a six mile hike. … [Read more...]
Documentary on The John Muir Trail
May 30, 2013 By Leave a Comment
Just heard about this documentary that was shot on the John Muir Trail. It's #1 on my list of long trails to do and traverses some spectacular scenery in  Yosemite, Kings Canyon, and Sequoia National Parks. The DVD was released in April 2012 and follows a group of students from the Southeast as they walk the 220 mile Trail in the High Sierra of California. But you can watch it here for free ... thanks to PBS and UNC-TV: Watch High Sierra - A Journey on the John Muir Trail on PBS. See … [Read more...]
Tragedy at Trail Days!
May 20, 2013 By Leave a Comment
The annual Appalachian Trail Days festival was disrupted this past weekened when a vehicle plowed in to a crowd watching the hiker parade as it passed down the main street of town.  Some people were trapped under the car and seriously injured and flown to nearby hospitals.  Here's a recap from USA Today: "DAMASCUS, Va. (AP) — About 50 to 60 people were injured Saturday when a driver described by witnesses as an elderly man drove his car into a group of hikers marching in a parade in a small … [Read more...]
Protected: The Trail Days Interviews – May 13, 1995
May 10, 2013 By Leave a Comment
This content is password-protected. To view it, please enter the password below. Password: … [Read more...]
