Smokebeard

Ed has hiked the the 2652+ mile Pacific Crest Trail, the 2160+ mile Appalachian Trail, the 270 mile Long Tail, across Scotland on the 73+ mile Great Glen Cycle Route, all 46 of the Adirondack High Peaks, the 78+ mile Rhode Island North/South Trail, and the Saranac Six. He is also a certified Leave No Trace Trainer. A former MATC Caretaker in the Piazza Rock/Saddleback area, he’s passionate about applying Leave No Trace as an ethical system. His latest journey was a two week loop of Mt. Rainier on the Wonderland Trail. He can be found somewhere on the Continental Divide Trail, a 3000+ mile walk from Mexico to Canada. Reports on his other travels, mostly in New England, are at http://edthesmokebeard.com

Posts

Book Two, Chapter One – A Sweet Walk to Agua Dulce

Book Two, Chapter One – A Sweet Walk to Agua Dulce

(Warning, picture-heavy post.) "I have no memory of this place," said the Smokebeard.  No longer the Greybeard leading the Fellowship, I'm now

May 13, 2018 : Smokebeard
Think You’re Hiker Trash? Take This Quiz and Find Out

Think You’re Hiker Trash? Take This Quiz and Find Out

Like a knighthood, or the papacy, the title of hiker trash cannot be taken, it can only be given. After a while there is a tendency to assume that

May 12, 2018 : Smokebeard
Book One, Chapter Four – everything is all right in Wrightwood

Book One, Chapter Four – everything is all right in Wrightwood

No snow, please We woke up early but there were two inches of snow on the ground, so we all rolled over and went back to sleep. Once we got up,

May 11, 2018 : Smokebeard
Book One, Chapter Three: Shelter From the Storm in Big Bear

Book One, Chapter Three: Shelter From the Storm in Big Bear

So Long Idy, Hello Big Bear Getting back on the trail from Idyllwild is always a bit of a challenge. There are at least three ways out of town that

May 1, 2018 : Smokebeard
Book One, Chapter Two: The Idyllwild Run

Book One, Chapter Two: The Idyllwild Run

Day 12.  Trail mile 169.  Idyllwild. Leaving Warner A few days back, I got up at dawn and left my trail family behind at Warner Springs. Half of

Apr 25, 2018 : Smokebeard
Book One, Chapter One: The Same, Yet Totally Different

Book One, Chapter One: The Same, Yet Totally Different

Despite it being the same trail in 2018 as 2017, the first 110 miles ended up being totally different. Part of that was by design because I

Apr 20, 2018 : Smokebeard
Comfort Items – Take an Ounce, Leave an Ounce

Comfort Items – Take an Ounce, Leave an Ounce

As I mentioned before, I'm at the final kitchen-sink phase of packing for the hike.   The last few bits and extra things that might come in handy;

Apr 10, 2018 : Smokebeard
PCT Minus Ten – Last-Minute Planning

PCT Minus Ten – Last-Minute Planning

There's a few things that are a tip-off that shit's gotten real.  It's kind of like seeing the first robins in Spring, or the first frost in Fall.   Little drops in the bucket, little stones that start an avalanche, and before you know it, your life is changing. Final planning reaches a frenzy, and you're off.

Apr 3, 2018 : Smokebeard
LNT Principle Three: Dispose of Waste Properly

LNT Principle Three: Dispose of Waste Properly

Pack out your trash, and this includes toilet paper! All of the Leave No Trace principles are geared around a common theme, preserving the Wildness of the outdoors.   Depending on your world view, there's a number of good reasons for this.  Mine are primarily selfish - I want things to stay nice, so that I can enjoy them later. 

Mar 12, 2018 : Smokebeard
13 Pounds Between Me and the Elements – A PCT Thru-Hike Gear List

13 Pounds Between Me and the Elements – A PCT Thru-Hike Gear List

I have a few purchases left to make, but right now my gear list is pretty solid. Pack weight is at 13 pounds, and that includes a one-pound fudge

Feb 28, 2018 : Smokebeard