safety
How to Safely Post Your Thru-Hike on Social Media
Many people are astounded when I tell them of my and Alex’s plans to thru-hike Michigan’s Upper Peninsula this summer. Their astonishment stems from a few areas, and is usually...
Four Hitchhiking Scares and What You Can Do to Stay Safe
Like it or not hitchhiking is a part of trail life. Most of the time hitching is easy, people are kind, and the ride is uneventful. Trail towns know the...
Let Us Transcend
I'd love to write today about the transcendence to be found hiking the wooded path, but I can't. Recent events in Orlando cast a shadow over my thoughts. After the...
Interview with an Appalachian Trail Ridgerunner
It's no secret that the Appalachian Trail (AT) survives in large part due to the thousands of hours of labor put in by willing volunteers each year. Yet, there are...
Getting Over And Around Personal Speedbumps
“No babies or weddings from April to October!” I half jokingly stipulated. Well. It turns out the joke is on me. I have now learned that I, too, have a...
Seven Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Guns and Bears
Weeks ago I had suggested to some hiker friends that I might write a blog weighing in on discussions from social media regarding the Scott Jurek controversy. But today I'm...
Wilderness Safety: The Whistle
I have one of those bright orange plastic whistles clipped to the shoulder of my pack. It's been there for years. I give it a quiet little puff every couple...
Pamola’s Wrath: Hiker Safety During Summer Storms
Summertime along the Appalachian Trail means frequent thunderstorms, an occasion to experience terrifying beauty, but especially, to engage in safe practices. Every year, according to the National
Keeping Food Safe from Rodents While Backpacking
We know about bears. They are strong, crafty, hungry, and potentially very dangerous. Though I consider bears to be a huge threat to be treated with respect, I also hold...
11 Black Bear Safety Tips
The Appalachian Trail has many bears roaming it and anyone who wants to hike it should know what to do to protect their lives and the lives of those bears.