Rolf Asphaug

Hi; I'm Rolf (it's Norwegian). I'm a volunteer trail patroller for several state and local Colorado parks, and I love hiking and backpacking. After a 34-year hiatus I've resumed long-distance backpacking in my retirement years. I was the guest on episode 134 of the Backpacker Radio Podcast. I'm a past president of the Colorado Mountain Club and founding board member of the Colorado Fourteeners Initiative. My trail name is Kinnikinnick ... because like the plant I cover ground slowly.

Posts

Gear lessons learned from thru-hiking the Benton MacKaye Trail

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

May 29, 2023 : Rolf Asphaug
My thru-hiking experience on the Benton MacKaye Trail

My thru-hiking experience on the Benton MacKaye Trail

The Hangover on the Benton MacKaye Trail On April 29 my companions Eric and Elizabeth and I finished our thru-hike of the Benton MacKaye Trail: a

May 4, 2023 : Rolf Asphaug
Good gear for the Benton MacKaye Trail

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

Apr 17, 2023 : Rolf Asphaug
Weighty decisions for my thru-hike

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

Apr 3, 2023 : Rolf Asphaug
Bear canisters, Ursacks, or bear bags on the Appalachian Trail?

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

Feb 13, 2023 : Rolf Asphaug
Benton MacKaye thru or Appalachian Trail section?

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

Jan 18, 2023 : Rolf Asphaug
TP or not TP: that is the question

TP or not TP: that is the question

Toilet paper: 7.05 ounces I was tempted to title this blog “On the Origin of Feces.” But first, I wasn’t sure many people would get it – readers

Jan 11, 2023 : Rolf Asphaug
Origin Story

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

Dec 8, 2022 : Rolf Asphaug