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

When Going Ultralight, Be Ultrawise With Your Choices

When Going Ultralight, Be Ultrawise With Your Choices

If you're a hiker, and you ever use the internet, you know there's a lot of discussion about reducing pack weight.  One phrase I hear a lot is "how

Feb 20, 2018 : Smokebeard
Gear Review: ENGO blister prevention patch

Gear Review: ENGO blister prevention patch

After I wrote my foot care article, the kind folks at ENGO agreed to send me a sample pack of their blister prevention patches.  Unlike bandaids,

Feb 12, 2018 : Smokebeard
Old Guy Music: Hiking Tunes from my PCT Jukebox

Old Guy Music: Hiking Tunes from my PCT Jukebox

I don't listen to music while I hike, for a few practical reasons.  I don't want to use the battery on my phone, I don't want to deal with sweaty

Feb 10, 2018 : Smokebeard
Foot Care on the Trail: One Man’s Battle with His Feet

Foot Care on the Trail: One Man’s Battle with His Feet

Warning: there are some potentially scary and gross pictures of my previous foot injuries in this article. Other warning: I am not a

Jan 30, 2018 : Smokebeard
Rhode Island North South Trail: 78 Miles From the Atlantic Ocean to Massachusetts

Rhode Island North South Trail: 78 Miles From the Atlantic Ocean to Massachusetts

Basic Info Length: 78+ miles Location: Rhode Island, USA Trail Type: End-to-end Time to thru-hike: Allow about five days Scenery: The trail runs

Jan 23, 2018 : Smokebeard
Because I Choose To: Why I Am Hiking The PCT

Because I Choose To: Why I Am Hiking The PCT

When I tell people I'm off to California for six months to hike from Mexico to Canada, I invariably get one of two responses.   Half the people come

Jan 16, 2018 : Smokebeard
Plan Ahead And Prepare For Your PCT Thru-Hike

Plan Ahead And Prepare For Your PCT Thru-Hike

An outline of what to plan and what not to plan for your PCT thruhike, and why.

Jan 11, 2018 : Smokebeard
Call Me Smokebeard

Call Me Smokebeard

Introducing Ed "Smokebeard" Schernau, PCT-hopeful for 2018.

Jan 8, 2018 : Smokebeard