Plan Changes Already
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
April 21 Start Date Locked In
I am now locked on a start date of April 21. I have a flight to San Diego on April 20th. I’m set up with Scout & Frodo, famous trail angels in San Diego. They will pick me up at the airport and take Read More
Snow Advanced Course
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
PCT Resupply Plan
Though not yet set in stone, I’m planning on a start date of April 21th for my PCT hike. You can resupply by purchasing supplies at stores along the way or shipping packages to post offices and businesses that will hold them for you, Read More
Wimpification of the Appalachian Trail
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
Day 37: A.T. Hike Ends
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
Day 36: The Road To Damascus
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
Day 35: Watauga Lake
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
Day 34: Laurel Fork Falls
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
Day 33: Over The Hump
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
