This past August I hiked Maine’s 100 Mile Wilderness again with my friend Martin Rye, from the UK. He’d read my previous accounts of hiking on this section of the Appalachian Trail and invited me to join him. He published his 100 …
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Trail Culture on the Appalachian and Pacific Crest Trails, and Camino de Santiago by Bill Walker
“Hey man, I’ve got an idea,” I said with a coaxing voice. “How ‘bout going out to hike on the Appalachian Trail with me?” It was the spring of 2005, and I had the Bill Bryson syndrome. Like so many other mortals, …
Read More »Bears, Mice And Other Ferocious Beasts of the Wilderness by Dennis “K1” Blanchard
When setting off on a long-distance hike, I’m often asked by my friends if I am afraid. The question is a direct response to the media’s daily onslaught of horror. In their minds, why should the trails be any different? Women usually …
Read More »Backpacking Duncan and Strickler Knob in Virginia’s Massanuttens
Five of us from the DC UL Backpacking community got together for a moderate 19 miler through the Massanutten’s in Virginia this past weekend. The primary loop has been dubbed the Wil Kohlbrenner Memorial Circuit by the folks at www.midatlantichikes.com, in honor …
Read More »Zealand Falls Hut
The Zealand Falls Hut is one of the easiest Appalachian Mountain Club huts to walk into, making it very popular with families and young children, and in summer it’s an easy 2.8 mile walk from the upper Zealand Road parking lot. Built …
Read More »Return to the 100 Mile Wilderness
In August 2009, I set out to hike the 100 mile wilderness in Maine. This is the last big section that AT thru-hikers have to hike before they arrive at Baxter State Park, home of Mount Katahdin, the northern terminus of the …
Read More »Climbing Mount Katahdin
I didn’t intend to climb to the summit of Mt Katadhin this week, it just sort of happened. But that’s ok, I needed to hike to the northern terminus of the Appalachian Trail eventually and things just worked out. Hike: Mount Katahdin …
Read More »The RPH Shelter on the New York Appalachian Trail
While every shelter on the Appalachian Trail has its own unique character, the RPH Shelter in New York State is unlike anything you’ll encounter up and down the trail. This is truly a Hiker Hilton with takeout delivery, lounge furniture, picnic tables, …
Read More »Hiking Franconia Ridge
Franconia Ridge is one of the top alpine traverses in the White Mountains, so when I learned we’d get a clear day last Saturday, I decided to hike it again to take in the views and climb two 5,000 footers, Mt Lafayette …
Read More »AT Section Hike: Ten Mile Lean-to (CT) to Rt 4, Cornwall Bridge
Introduction This is the third, and final trip report describing my Appalachian Trail section hike from Mohican Outdoor Center through New Jersey, through all of New York State, and into Connecticut in, April 2011. About the Connecticut Appalachian Trail While the Connecticut …
Read More »AT Section Hike: Greenwood Lake (NY) to Ten Mile Lean-to (CT)
Hiking for two weeks is a lot different than hiking for a few days over a long weekend. You have to worry about getting clean periodically, resupplying your food bag, taking rest days, emotional ups and downs, and getting the right amount …
Read More »AT Section Hike: Mohican Outdoor Center (NJ) to Greenwood Lake (NY)
Trip Planning This is the first of a 3-part trip report describing the two week, Appalachian Trail section hike I took in April 2011, beginning in southern New Jersey and ending in southern Connecticut. Covering 173 miles and spanning 14 days, I’ve …
Read More »Walking Forwards, Looking Back
When you hike the Appalachian Trail, you get in the habit of looking behind yourself periodically to make sure you are still on the trail. If you get into “the zone,” it’s all too easy to miss a turn in the trail …
Read More »AT Section Hike: Bear Mountain to Rt 7
I just got back from a short section hike on the Connecticut Appalachian Trail where I finished the northern half of the state, hiking from Bear Mountain to Rt 7. Autumn is past its peak here, but hiking in the woods was …
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