Trail Guides, Gear Reviews, and Backpacking Tips
Food represents the most commonly fantasised about subject that occupies a long distance hiker’s mind. Yep, even more than that other one. That being the case, it stands to reason that no matter whether you are a gourmet, spartan or Read More …
Yesterday marked the US release* of my second book with Gestalten Publications, “The Hidden Tracks: Wanderlust off the Beaten Path.” In a nutshell, it’s a 272 page coffee table book that features 29 terrific hikes from around the world. Some of Read More …
One of the things I’ve always loved about the wilderness is that everything is what it is. No masks, no motives, no hidden agendas. Mother Nature can be the hardest of taskmasters, but I’ve never found her to be disingenuous Read More …
Bears are the animals that everyone wants to see and doesn’t want to see. It is really just a question of timing and distance. Spot a grizzly bear on the other side of a raging river; fantastic. Walk around a Read More …
Some four and a half years after finishing the 12 Long Walks – of which the Calendar Triple Crown constituted the last three hikes – the PCT, CDT, and AT continue to be the trails I am asked about the Read More …
“Thru-hiking is 90 percent mental” is one of those statements that you regularly hear in the US long-distance hiking community. Indeed, it has been repeated so often in articles, online forums, and books that it seems to be accepted as Read More …
On December 29, 2012, I finished the longest journey of my hiking life. A 14,342 mi (23,081 km), almost eighteen-month odyssey called the 12 Long Walks. I had planned to end my trip at the Appalachian Trail’s southern terminus of Read More …
“A reflective umbrella will keep you significantly cooler than a non-reflective model when hiking in hot conditions. That’s the long-time consensus in the backpacking community. There’s only one problem………..it’s largely a myth.“ I bought my Montbell U.L. Trekking Umbrella in Read More …
I hiked the Colorado Trail (CT) during the first two weeks of September. No crowds, monsoon season practically over, the Aspens changing from green to flaming gold. A wonderful time to be outside in the Rockies. Coming in at around Read More …
Monsoon season is just around the corner in the southwestern United States. That means plenty of thunderstorms. However, when it comes to hiking in lightning-prone areas, most problems can be avoided by planning ahead, staying alert to changing weather conditions, Read More …
At a Glance Distance: 2,500 miles – 3,00 miles | Depending on route choices. Avg. Time: 5 months Start / Finish: Southern Terminus: Crazy Cook Monument, NM (official), Antelope Wells and Columbus, NM (alternates). Northern Terminus: Waterton Lake, MT or Read More …
To a certain degree, blisters are to hikers what carpal tunnel syndrome is to court reporters – an occupational hazard. The primary cause of these little bubbles of fun is friction. Long hours on your feet combined with ill-fitting footwear Read More …
The following meeting took place during my Continental Divide Trail hike of 2012: As I descended towards Morrison Lake, I was approached by a latino man on horseback. He greeted me with an enthusiastic, “Hola Amigo!” Much to his surprise, I responded in Spanish. Read More …
With the popularity of the Triple Crown increasing, the amount of information on the internet regarding the three long distance trails is staggering. Some of it is good; some of it not so much. That being the case, how does one separate Read More …
I met Ryan “The Tourist” Choi on the Pacific Crest Trail in 2012. As soon as he introduced himself, I recognized the name. Ryan, along with Ben Deumling, was one of the first people to ever complete the Hayduke Trail Read More …
“In wine there is wisdom, in beer there is strength, in water there is bacteria.” – Dave Auerbach
July 2, 2011 to December 28, 2012……………..14,302 miles, 29 states, 4 provinces, 28 pairs of shoes…………..I originally planned on having the 12 Long Walks overview map ready in June……………2011……………timing never was my strong suit. Big thanks to Brian “Beardoh” Ristola Read More …
I recently spent a fantastic few weeks in New Hampshire. In addition to the presentations for the Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC), I had the opportunity to do some hiking with fellow Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) alumni Nancy “Why Not” Huber and Read More …
DATE: September 9 to 12 START: Roadside ditch, not far from Rawlins FINISH: Muddy Pass (thereabouts) DISTANCE: 169 miles (272 km) DAILY AVERAGE: 42.3 miles (68.1 km) TOTAL DISTANCE: 1414 miles (2275.1 km) The Beer Gods are Smiling: Maybe it’s Read More …
DATE: September 4 to 8 START: Scenic spot, just south of Lester Pass FINISH: Roadside ditch, not far from Rawlins DISTANCE: 203 miles (326.6 km) DAILY AVERAGE: 40.6 miles (65.3 km) TOTAL DISTANCE: 1245 miles (2003.2 km) Cirque of the Read More …