John Edward Harris

I am a thru-hiker wannabe who has hiked sections of the AT in NH, NJ, PA, VA and NC. I fell in love with hiking and backpacking over forty years ago. Yes, I am that old! Along the way I took a NOLS Outdoor Educator Course, a LNT Master Educator Course, and two Wilderness First Aid Courses. I also cycling and flat-water kayaking. I have work part time as a Guide in an EMS Store and a Customer Service Specialist at an REI store. In other words, I love the outdoors and adventure.

Posts

Book Review: Tales from the Trail – Stories from the Oldest Hiker Hostel on the Appalachian Trail

Book Review: Tales from the Trail – Stories from the Oldest Hiker Hostel on the Appalachian Trail

Most AT thru-hikers and even some sectional hikers have probably spent a night or two sleeping and showering at the Hiker Hostel of The Presbyterian

Jan 24, 2024 : John Edward Harris
Review of Earl Shaffer’s “Walking With Spring”

Review of Earl Shaffer’s “Walking With Spring”

Shaffer’s book is memoir about his first AT thru-hike, not a detailed section-by-section description of the trail or a technical “how to” guide to thru-hiking the AT.

Nov 17, 2017 : John Edward Harris
Happy Trials and Keep on Trekking

Happy Trials and Keep on Trekking

It has been a pleasure and an honor to be part of The Trek team. I feel part of the (elite) Appalachian Trials/The Trek cyber community.

Aug 24, 2017 : John Edward Harris
More Hard Learned Backpacking Lessons

More Hard Learned Backpacking Lessons

Hard learned winter backpacking lessons

Aug 15, 2017 : John Edward Harris
Hard Learned Backpacking Lessons

Hard Learned Backpacking Lessons

All those hard learned lessons have served me well but have not prevented me from experiencing additional hard lessons from the trail.

Jul 27, 2017 : John Edward Harris
Gear Review: BearVault BV450

Gear Review: BearVault BV450

If I could use the BV450 only as a bear canister, I might find it hard to justify the weight, but I have used in so many other ways that I think the weight justifies carrying it.

Jul 13, 2017 : John Edward Harris
My Portable, Transferable, Multi-Sport Essentials Kit

My Portable, Transferable, Multi-Sport Essentials Kit

Keeping all these items in my portable, transferable, multisport essentials kit keeps me from having to look for them separately every time I head out onto the trail, be it cycling a rail trail, kayaking a water trail, or backpacking on the Appalachian Trail.

Jun 23, 2017 : John Edward Harris
Do You Remember Your First Time?

Do You Remember Your First Time?

It was my second time in the Whites but my first time on the AT.

Jun 8, 2017 : John Edward Harris
Review of Chris Bolgiano’s The Appalachian Forest

Review of Chris Bolgiano’s The Appalachian Forest

Bolgiano provided me not only with a refreshing review of Appalachia and its environmental concerns related to the forest but also abundant new information.

May 25, 2017 : John Edward Harris
My Sleeping System: I Am Satisfied With Its Performance

My Sleeping System: I Am Satisfied With Its Performance

My sleeping system consists of four main components: a sleeping bag, a stuff sack that serves as a pillow, a sleeping bag liner, and a sleeping pad.

May 10, 2017 : John Edward Harris