3rd Gate (mile 91.2) to Warner Springs (mile 109.5) 18.3 miles today to get to my first resupply spot.  Hurried to get here before the post office closed.   There is a community center here that is now a hiker welcome center.  They allow camping Read More

Rodriguez Road (mile 68.4) to 3rd Gate (mile 91.2) Did 22.8 miles today.  Down down down, then across a wide desert valley floor, crossed Hwy S2, then up up up. The last two days I have been in the Anzo-Berago Desert State Park.  While Read More

Mile 47.8 to Rodriguez Water Tank (mile 68.4) After a mostly sleepless night it was a real feat to get my tent down without damage.  On and off during the day the wind was so intense I was staggering like a drunk.  I loved Read More

Fred Canyon (mile 32) to mile 47.8 After 9 miles today the town of Mt Laguna, with a campground, outfitter and most importantly a restaurant, was just a mile detour.  Many hikers  take a day off there.  I could not resist and went in Read More

Hauser Creek (mile 15) to Fred Canyon (mile 32). I slept in my tent but without the rain fly on last night so I could see the stars. They were still visible when the first sounds of hikers rising started. I was walking by Read More

After taking pictures and signing the log book I was joking by 8am.    The Sun was just brutal.   This is not sand dunes desert, it is the high desert and has lots of plants, almost none tall enough to provide shade. By Read More

I’ve started.   Gone 20 feet, only 2,650 miles to go.

I flew from DC to San Diego this morning so I can hit the trail early Friday.   Barney “Scout” Mann and his wife “Frodo” make starting the trail easy.  They, along with other volunteers,  pick you up at the airport, provide meals, a Read More

With a week to go, while making last minute preparations, I saw two two articles yesterday to make me nervous.   First, the Washington Post had an article about the northern Sierra having the wettest year in recorded history, over 751 inches of snow in Read More

Three weeks to go…  I’m still making changes.  After getting the heavier tent (which is free-standing) I spent a week debating with myself over my backpack.  I  have an Osprey Exos 58 which weighs only 39 ounces.  It’s very comfortable with loads under 30 Read More

I’m about 30 days away from my start date but already my plans and gear need to be altered.  This year is currently the wettest winter in 35 years, the second wettest season ever recorded in the Sierra Nevada. Lots Of Snow There are Read More

Mountain Education is a non-profit Wilderness School founded in 1982 by Ned Tibbits.  Ned thru-hiked the PCT in 1974. It’s currently early in the winter season but the Sierras, along with much of the west, have been getting pounded with snow.  Some areas have Read More

During my recent hike on the Appalachian Trail I thought a good bit about how it has changed since I thru-hiked it in 1979.   Some of these changes are for the better, some for the worse.  On this recent trip I only hiked the Read More

I was tent camped near the Abingdon Gap Shelter last night.   I arrived just at dark to find a group of 20 something southbound thru-hikers there.   They got up at 5am and, like 20 something thru-hikers, they made no attempt to be quiet as Read More

I cruised today, along the ridge line of Iron Mtn.   No major climbs, just lots of small 200 to 400 feet climbs and descents, staying around 3500 feet elevation.  I passed the Nick Grindstone monument.  In 1979 my Uncle Bob and his mate Carl Read More

From my campsite along Laurel Fork the day started with a 2000 foot climb up Pond Mtn then back down to Watauga Lake, a big TVA lake.  There was a picnic area with a spigot that I washed under.  I cleaned myself and some Read More

I slept well last night, having the shelter to myself.   The terrain today was different than most of the previous trail.   I was at elevations of 3200 to 3500 feet most of the day.  Lots of streams.   At the end of the day was Read More

I went over the Hump today.   Hump Mtn that is.   I was taking down camp before first light when Snacks and Temper, the lovely couple from two nights ago, came past.    I passed them while they were getting water apparently and they camped just Read More

Determined to make up for yesterday I once again got an early start.   I was walking as soon as it was light enough to see, about 7:30.  Most of the morning was a climb ending on Roan Mtn at 6200 feet.   There were 5 Read More

I was determined to do big miles today.   I was up at 6am, took down the tent and made coffee and oatmeal by flashlight.   As soon as it was light enough to see I was on my way. The trail was pretty but unremarkable.  Read More

I really wanted to leave early today but it just didn’t work.   Clint, one of the hostel staff, told me that Johnny had called and said he would be doing the morning shuttle because he wanted to have breakfast with me.   I couldn’t just Read More

Just after posting blogs last night my Samsung S4 bit the dust.   It had been flaky for some time but reformatting the cache area seemed to fix things for a few weeks at a time.  Not this time.   Even a factory reset Read More

About 12 miles today brought me to the Nolichucky River, Erwin TN, and Uncle Johnnies Hostel.   It is a funky spot, definitely for hikers and not the faint of heart.   But John and Charlotte Shores are very friendly and offer a bunk, Read More

It was a crisp morning that started with a mouse damage check.  After dark I heard the mouse and got my light on him just as he lept from a clothes line that ran too close to my hanging pack.   I leaned over Read More

Went down to about freezing last night.  I was comfy in my bag in only shorts and a tee and did not have to add clothing. Frost and ice on my first peak this morning.  No pics till afternoon after I put my phone Read More

I left Hot Springs this morning after one more breakfast at the diner.  The trail runs right down main street, crosses the French Broad River and then starts to climb.  Only 11 miles today, but uphill and with a full pack.  I crossed many Read More

I left camp by flashlight.  At 8:30 I was having bacon and eggs at the Smoky Mountain Diner.    I am staying at Elmers, also known as the Sunnybank Inn.  Earl Schaefer stayed here when he did the AT in 1948.  Private room, shared Read More

​I did 20.1 miles today, the highest of this trip.  My pack was light, the terrain was good, and having almost no food left is great motivation.   The day included climbing over Max Patch.  This mountain was cleared by early settlers and is Read More

The nut cases at the shelter were up at 5am.  Sleep was not possible.  I left at first light but suffered from low energy all day. After leaving the park the trail crossed interstate 40 and the Pigeon River and then just beyond that Read More

Much of today was descending from the Smokies.  From about 6,000 feet in the morning I dropped to about 2,500 this evening and camped at Davenport Gap, about 2 miles before the northern boundary of the park. It was a 15 mile day for Read More

Today was a 12 mile cruise along the ridge of the Smokies.  Awoke to a thick fog which broke up slowly over the morning.  Long stretches of trail on a 5 to 6 foot wide ridge with steep drops and views to both sides. Read More

Hiked up and over Clingmans Dome today.  It is the highest point on the A.T.   There is a road to the top so after climbing it you suddenly pop out into a crowd of tourists.  Was weird.  I climbed the observation tower but Read More

A really nice hiking day, 15 miles, over Rocky Top and on to Silers Bald.  Saw two flocks of turkeys today.  Started me thinking, turkey….stuffing…mashed potatoes.

I loaded up with 4 liters of water, crossed the dam and trudged all day up into the Smokies.  I really felt the extra 8.8 lbs of water, along with a full 7 days food.  Made it to Russell Field Shelter, about a 14.8 Read More

Started before sunrise because I had 15 miles to get to Fontana, then a 2 mile road walk to get to the resort where my resupply package waits, then 2 miles back to the trail and the shelter near the dam. Made good time Read More

​I left NOC early this morning after saying goodbye to Julian, who ends his trip here.  From an elevation of 1700 feet at the river I climbed all morning to the top of Cheoah Bald at over 5000 feet.  Gorgeous mountain, tough trail.   Read More

​Last night we were camped only 3.5 miles away from the Nantahala Outdoor Center on the Nantahala River.   Whitewater rafting center, outfitter, restaurant, and hostel.   Even up where we were the sound of the train that runs up and down the gorge Read More