Last weekend, we hiked ~9 miles from Ice Water Springs shelter down to Smokemont Campground in Great Smoky Mountain National Park. Here's some video from the Dry Sluice Trail as it crosses the bridge over Bradley Fork. By the time we hit the valley, temps had climbed from the teens to the 50's which made for great hiking this winter afternoon. … [Read more...]
Hiking The Dry Sluice Trail – Great Smoky Mountains National Park
January 17, 2014 By Leave a Comment
Great Smoky Mountain Snow & Sunrise From Ice Water Springs Shelter
January 17, 2014 By Leave a Comment
After two days of rain, a cold front pushes through and delivers a dusting of snow at Ice Water Springs Shelter. A bobcat leaves fresh tracks just below this rising January sun and we are slow to crawl from the sleeping bags with temps in the teens at 5800 feet this morning. … [Read more...]
Sunset From The Appalachian Trail (One Mile North Of Newfound Gap)
January 17, 2014 By Leave a Comment
We left Newfound Gap at 4:45pm for a 3 mile hike to Ice Water Springs shelter. It's early January, and after two days of rain the skies have cleared. Here's a look at the sunset to the west from the Appalachian Trail. With any luck, we'll make it to the shelter before dark ... … [Read more...]
Episode 17: Embrace The Brutality (CDT)
December 29, 2013 By 2 Comments
In Episode 17, Jester and I speak via phone about his 2013 DVD release "Embrace The Brutality" which documents his 3100 mile thru-hike on the Continental Divide Trail. In the podcast, Jester talks about his first backpacking trip, his high and low moments on the CDT, what it takes to hike, film, and produce a major film on the Trail, and a major hike that he has planned for Europe. Jester also offers some general advice to those that plan to hike the CDT and gives great insight … [Read more...]
Misty Mountain Hop With “The Ken’s”
November 25, 2013 By Leave a Comment
Here we are with "The Ken's" and Boone Dawg as we wait for Brett at the junction of the Freeman, Reece Memorial and Appalachian Trail. This was the first mile of a nearly eight mile loop hike around Blood Mountain. … [Read more...]
We weathered rain, slippery rocks, bears, and put Rebel to rest this weekend
November 24, 2013 By Leave a Comment
Just returned from a loop hike at Blood Mountain via the Reece Memorial, Freeman, and Appalachian Trails. We were aware that bears were a problem in this area and reminded immediately by a sign at the trailhead. Here's two of our crew at the junction of the three trails. The 1.8 mile hike along the Freeman Trail was wet and slippery and much harder than I remembered it. There's not a lot of elevation change, but it's really rocky in sections. We arrive to an empty Woods Hole Shelter around … [Read more...]
Hiking/Geocaching With The Kids
November 2, 2013 By Leave a Comment
Took the kids for a hike this morning and to try some geocaching after spending $10 on an app for the iPhone.  We found the first one quickly, but the second geocache was a challenge.  Here we are standing on top of the hidden treasure and we can't even find it. Turns out it was well camoflauged and the container looked just like a log on the forest floor.  But after 30 minutes, we make the discovery.  We must have walked by it 20 times this morning. Just some party beads in this … [Read more...]
