Posts
My John Muir Trail Origin Story
Self-portrait looking toward Mono Lake, 1987 It’s July 1987. A footloose 29-year-old with a 60-pound North Face external-frame backpack (yes,
Gear lessons learned from thru-hiking the Benton MacKaye Trail
I've written a previous post with details about thru-hiking the 300-mile Benton MacKaye Trail, so this post will just be a shorter selection of
My thru-hiking experience on the Benton MacKaye Trail
The Hangover on the Benton MacKaye TrailOn April 29 my companions Eric and Elizabeth and I finished our thru-hike of the Benton MacKaye Trail: a
Good gear for the Benton MacKaye Trail
I’m halfway through my northbound thru-hike of the Benton MacKaye Trail and it has surpassed my expectations on so many levels. Once I’m done hiking
Weighty decisions for my thru-hike
It’s undeniable that the less weight we carry on our bodies, the less strenuous our backpacking trips will be on our hips, knees, and feet. When
Bear canisters, Ursacks, or bear bags on the Appalachian Trail?
As I dial in what I’ll be carrying on my backpack from Springer Mountain in April, one type of gear I’ve been having trouble deciding on is bear
Benton MacKaye thru or Appalachian Trail section?
My initial plan: an AT section hike Several months ago I was sure I'd be hiking the first 400 or so miles of the Appalachian Trail northbound from
TP or not TP: that is the question
Toilet paper: 7.05 ouncesI was tempted to title this blog “On the Origin of Feces.” But first, I wasn’t sure many people would get it – readers
Origin Story
Snow Mesa, on the Colorado Trail Zach Davis often asks guests on his Backpacker Radio Podcast: “What’s your origin story?” I like that: it puts