Bly Gap, North Carolina – January 31, 2015

  This is a video of a January 31, 2015 backpacking trip to Bly Gap, North Carolina which is located just past the Georgia-North Carolina State line on the Appalachian Trail.  It was the first time I'd been here in 20 years and it was great to be back.  Northbound thru-hikers love this place because it marks the completion of the first of fourteen States on the A.T. … [Read more...]

Leaving Las Vegas ….

There is nothing better than escaping a trade show in Las Vegas for the backcountry and fresh air of Zion National Park. After a 3 hour drive Fuller and I arrive in Springdale, UT and stay a short distance from the park. Our first mission is to hike the Hidden Canyon Trail. We climb 850 feet and link up with a steel chain that guides us around a cliff with an insanely sharp drop off.  It is at this point that I remember that I might have a slight fear of heights. And to make … [Read more...]

100% Chance Of Rain? Backpacking To Plum Orchard Shelter

The weatherman said there was a 100% chance of rain today, and he was 100% right!  It rained all morning, and all afternoon.  I confess that  I'm still not sure how I was talked in to this trip, or how we got away with it at all.  Despite the gloomy weather (and our ventures in to Panthertown Valley just last weekend), the wives reluctantly gave the OK - and here we are climbing "As Knob" on the Appalachian Trail about an hour before dark. Our destination is Plum Orchard Shelter. … [Read more...]

Protected: The Power Of DuraFlame

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Working Off Thanksgiving Dinner – An Overnight In Panthertown Valley

After fattening up on Thanksgiving dinner, The Camel meets us in North Carolina for a hike in to Panthertown Valley.  No one is more excited than the Boone Dawg who is craving some time in the backcountry.  And we are blessed with sunshine as you can see from the the shadows in this photo. The weather has been cool this week so snow showers and ice still lingering in the valley.  Here is a giant piece floating near Schoohouse Falls. Our preferred campsite is taken.  So we … [Read more...]

Episode 20: The Pacific Crest Trail

In Episode 20, Thirty-Pack talks about his 2013 thru-hike on the 2,663 mile Pacific Crest Trail (PCT).  Over six months, he hiked 420,880 feet of elevation walking from Mexico to Canada along the western mountains of the U.S. This after he completed the Appalachian Trail on the East Coast in 2012 (see Episode #13).  Will the Continental Divide Trail and coveted Triple Crown follow in 2014?  Listen and find out. Topics in this podcast include an injury that nearly ended his … [Read more...]

Our Oasis In The Monsoon

Back to our oasis in the monsoon. Fortunately, Ken gathered and covered wood in advance of the storm. Damn that fire feels nice! … [Read more...]