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 »Philip Werner
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 Sound of Cicadas
When I was growing up, I used to listen to the sound of the cicadas in our back yard. It’s the sound that I associate with the hot days and evenings of summer. Yesterday morning, as I was hiking the last few …
Read More »Inov-8 Terroc 330 Trail Running Shoes: Long Term Review
I’ve been using Inov-8 Terroc 330 trail runners for 3-season hiking since April 2010. I just started using my fifth consecutive pair for peakbagging and backpacking, plus I bought another two pairs so that I’ll have more when I wear these out. …
Read More »Rivendell Mountain Works Jensen Backpack
I got interested in Rivendell Mountain Works, makers of the Jensen Backpack, after discovering them on the web last year. I posted a message about the Jensen Backpack on Facebook and Cameron McNeish responded by saying that it was one of his …
Read More »This Car Climbed Mt Washington
I did something last week that I never thought I’d ever do. I drove up to the summit of Mt Washington. I enjoyed the views, which was lucky, because the 6,288 foot summit of Mt Washington is covered by clouds over 100 …
Read More »Outdoor Blogger Challenge – Product Review Disclosures
I think it’s high time for all outdoor bloggers to disclose whether they’ve gotten free products from manufacturers or retailers in the content they publish online. Written or video product reviews aren’t bad. What’s bad is when you receive financial or in-kind …
Read More »Beginner’s Mind
When you get really good at something, it’s easy to fall into the trap of automated behavior. This is where you respond to a situation without thinking about what you’re doing or why. A lot of people think automated behavior like this …
Read More »How to Become a Better Hiker
I love day hiking, backpacking, peak bagging, long distance trekking: you name it. Being outdoors and propelling myself on my own two legs gives me tremendous joy…even when it rains. I also derive tremendous satisfaction from learning and using new hiking, backpacking …
Read More »The Summer without an Air Conditioner
We’re trying to live without an air conditioner this summer. It was actually my idea as a way to reduce our electricity consumption and save some money. My wife doesn’t like the sound of an air conditioner and was eager to agree. …
Read More »Knot Theory – Confessions of an Backpacking Blogger
My head leaks knots. I learn to tie them and forget them in a few days. At one time I wanted to study mathematical topology. It’s probably good I did something else. My solution is to learn as few knots as possible …
Read More »Mt Jefferson and the Castle Trail
Last Sunday I climbed Mt Jefferson using the Castle Trail. Jefferson is the third largest peak in the Northern Presidential Range of the White Mountains with an elevation of 5,712 ft. A mammoth mountain surrounded by deep glacial ravines there are a …
Read More »What is Krumholz?
Krumholz (also spelled Krummolz)is a German word used to describe the stunted trees that grow on exposed mountain tops above treeline. They look like weathered bonsai trees but instead of a human gardener, the wind is their master. These trees grow together in …
Read More »Crag Camp Cabin on Mt Adams
Crag Camp Cabin, located on the north face of Mt Adams. For $15-$20/night, this is one of the best kept secrets in the White Mountains. Maintained by the Randolph Mountain Club, Crag Camp is one of 4 cabins and shelters maintained by …
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