BirdShooter's Backpacking Blog & Podcast Series
Here's Glenn (aka The Helmet) in his blue Clemson shirt at the taping of Episode #16 of The Long Trail podcast in Barton, Vermont. Hopefully, the brook running below the deck didn't tank the audio. f His schoolhouse was built in 1858 and decommissioned in the 1960's. It still has the original chalk boards inside. Feeling adventureous? Ask him for a tour of the attic or the basement! The front yard is ripe for a pick-up football game which Glenn and my kids enjoyed … [Read more...]
Had a chance to record a podcast with Mackie recently for "The Ultimate Summer Roadtrip - Part Two". It's in the editing room right now and should be ready for release by the end of this week. In the meantime, check out "The Ultimate Summer Roadtrip - Part One" if you haven't already. It will get you primed for Part Two and recaps a cross-country hiking/backpacking trip I did with Snyder (aka The Ox) two years after my 1996 trip with Mackie (who is shown above at our interview in … [Read more...]
In Episode 14, Steve (aka The Ox) and I do an in-studio interview about a 38 day cross-country road trip that took place in the summer of 1998. We spent most of the tour in the western United States and Canada (Alberta and British Columbia) where we went backpacking and fishing in the Rockies, Cascades, and on the coast of the Pacific Northwest. In the podcast, The Ox talks about the high and low moments on our road trip, some favorite campsites in the backcountry, and breaking down on … [Read more...]
Backpacker Magazine recently ran a survival issue where they featured Bear Grylls throughout the October 2012 issue. I admit to watching many of Bear's Man v's Wild series and to finding it entertaining. But something that he said in the interview struck me, and really rings true in the wilderness. The backcountry really does have a way of breaking you down and revealing the "real you". Here's the exact quote...."Question: What do you get out of … [Read more...]
Why You Should Be Using a Layered Clothing System The age old method of layering combined with new fabric technology means that you can be at your optimum temperature to conquer that day hike, trail, trek or mountain. The base layer, i.e. the first layer you wear is to regulate moisture; the mid layer is for insulation and the outer layer protects you from the wind and rain. The beauty of layering is that you can remove and add layer if needed. The Base Layer This is the layer you wear next … [Read more...]
In Episode 13, KC (aka 30-Pack) details his 2012 thru-hike on the Appalachian Trail that began at Springer Mountain in March and ended nearly 2,200 miles later at Mount Katahdin in September. In the podcast, KC talks about the birth of his trail-name, some of his favorite (and not so favorite) moments on the trail, the Wolf Pack and the social aspects of a thru-hike, and why the experience was so inspiring that he plans to set out once again this spring to hike the Pacific Crest Trail on the … [Read more...]
In Episode 12, I speak with Amy (aka Mrs. Weasel) in a Banner Elk interview about her experiences on the trail. These include hiking, backpacking, and volunteering along the Appalachian, Benton MacKaye, and Pine Mountain Trails in Georgia, North Carolina, and Virginia. In the podcast, Amy talks about doing trail maintenance as part of the Konnarock and Georgia Appalachian Trail crews in the Southeast, her quest to finish the Georgia section of the Appalachian Trail, and what it's like to … [Read more...]
In Episode 11, Katie (aka Wild Turkey) talks about her ventures in to the wilderness - hiking and backpacking with both friends and family in the Southeast. Topics include the weather and its impact on the experience, the gear you need for the Trail, and hiking with infants and young children. Katie is the first female to do a solo interview for N2Backpacking and she delivers with this New Year's Eve conversation recorded in Elljay, Georgia. Katie talks about some pristine destinations … [Read more...]
In Episode 10, Brett (aka Therm Rider) talks about our recent hike along the Appalachian Trail near Stratton, Maine. This is the second of a two part series that recaps our October 2012 backpacking trip in New England. In this interview, Brett talks about our travel to the trailhead, our punishing ascent & descent of the Crocker Mountains, and our multi-night stays in the trail town of Stratton. The old thru-hiker adage, "No Rain, No Pain, No Maine" rings true on this hike, and … [Read more...]
In Episode 9, Jim (aka Country Club) and Roger (aka The Camel) talk about our recent hike along the Appalachian Trail near Stratton, Maine. This is the first of a two part series that recaps our October 2012 backpacking trip in New England. During our three day trip, we battled nasty weather and didn't see a ray of sunshine as we hiked over North & South Crocker Mountain. The steep, wet terrain and rocky descent to the Crocker Cirque Campsite had us averaging about a mile an hour - which … [Read more...]
