Appalachian Trail Prep

Lyme Disease is reaching epidemic proportions on the Appalachian Trail yet hikers still insist on hiking in short sleeve shirts and short pants. The easiest way to protect yourself from Lyme Disease is to wear long pants, a long sleeve shirt, and hat when hiking, preferably ones treated with Insect Shield …

Resupply and Mail Drops Mail drops are a common way for long distance hikers to resupply on a long hike. Thankfully, post offices here in the states and abroad will hold packages for pickup by hikers and people who are just passing through an area. Hikers often send food, batteries, …

“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, I had read Bill Bryson’s bestselling narrative, A …

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 ask me that question directly, “Aren’t you afraid?” …

When planning an Appalachian Trail section hike, the first thing I do is to consult a ragged 2006 copy of the AT Thru-Hikers’ Companion that I use to keep track of all of the miles I’ve hiked. I provides a mile by mile account of all of the shelters, water …

I’m writing this post at the request of one of our regular readers. He had a bad experience camping at an Appalachian Trail Shelter over the Columbus Day weekend with his children. Some other campers showed up and were drinking heavily. They got loaded and and rowdy and trashed the …

I just finished bagging all of the food I need for an upcoming trek through the 100 mile wilderness on the Maine section of the Appalachian Trail. All together, I packed 9 days worth of food in the 2 OPSACKs you see above. Together, they weigh 14.2 lbs and contain …