Guthook Guides Blog
Keep up to date with everything that's happening at Atlas Guides with our Inside Atlas Guides series, read stories told with data or learn more about how to make tech work for you with our Tech on the Trail series, or see the places we're exploring with our Trip Report series.
Blog Archive
Browse through our entire chronological blog history or check out our most recent posts to see what we’re thinking about and working on right now!
Explore New Alternate Trails in the Gila Wilderness
The CDTC is adding two more trails to the Gila Wilderness alternates, improving safety and reducing overuse.
6 Lightweight and Practical Tips for Thru-Hiking
Coming from people who know everything there is to know about thru-hiking and long-distance backpacking, we decided to give you our top 6 lightweight and practical tips to consider on your next big hike.
10 Tips to Save Your Phone Battery on Trail
We know that in order to use our app out on the trail, you have to keep your phone battery alive! Here are some tips to try and keep your phone from dying quickly while you’re out hiking off the grid.
9 Luxury Items to Consider Bringing on Your Thru-Hike
A luxury item can make a huge difference on your thru-hike. Here are some items you may want to consider bringing with you on your next thru-hike or backpacking trip.
8 Things You Should Do to Prepare for a Thru-hike
Preparing for a thru-hike can be overwhelming if you don't have a plan. Here are 8 steps to get you started on your incredible journey.
Does the Diameter of Your Cooking Pot Matter?
We tested the difference between five different diameter pots to see if one size performed better than another. This is what we learned...
Should I disconnect my stove or keep it connected to the canister?
I always wondered whether I should leave my stove connected to my fuel canister or if it was better to take it off. Here's what I found...
Thru-hiking FAQ Answered by the Community
We talked to some of our favorite thru-hikers about their experiences and advice for newer hikers. Here is what we learned.
How to Make an Ultralight Glasses Case for Your Thru-Hike
Regular glasses cases are heavy. We came up with a better, more ultralight idea for you to consider on your thru-hiking or backpacking trip.
Will a BIC Mini Lighter Last for Your Entire Thru-Hike?
As one of the most popular lighters for thru-hiking and backpacking, we decided to conduct a test and see how long a BIC Mini lighter would last.
12 Backpacking Foods You Can Cram in a Bear Canister
We analyzed the calorie density of 12 different backpacking food items to illustrate the theoretical maximum number of calories that can be placed in a BearVault BV500 bear canister.
Highest & Lowest Points on the PCT/AT/CDT
What are the highest and lowest points on the Triple Crown Trails (Pacific Crest Trail, Appalachian Trail, and Continental Divide Trail)? Find out by taking a look at our elevation profile data.
11 Tips to Pack a Bear Canister
Are you going to bring a bear canister on your next thru-hike or backpacking trip? Here are some helpful tips to consider!
How Many Snickers Can Fit in a Bear Canister?
Snickers bars are a very popular thru-hiking and backpacking food because of the high-calorie density they have. We decided to test it out and see how many Snickers we could fit into the average bear canister.
7 Thru-Hikes on the West Coast
While many folks are familiar with the Pacific Crest Trail, the west coast of the United States is home to a number of other notable thru-hikes.
Thru-Hiking Calorie and Food Weight Calculator
Calculate how many calories you'll burn while hiking and plan how much food you'll need to bring on your trip using our Calorie & Food Weight Calculator.
We Tested 5 of the Most Popular Backpacking Stoves
We tested five of the most popular lightweight backpacking stoves to see which performed the best and which is the most affordable.
Soto WindMaster Stove Review
The Soto WindMaster was the overall best ultralight stove tested. Here is what we tested and why it ranked #1.
Snow Peak LiteMax Stove Review
The Snow Peak LiteMax was the lightest stove tested and the easiest to assemble and disassemble but had long boil times compared to the other stoves tested.
Soto Amicus Stove Review
The Soto Amicus performed well at an affordable price while being one of the lightest stoves tested. It also compacts up nicely and is easy to assemble.
MSR PocketRocket Deluxe Stove Review
The MSR PocketRocket Deluxe was the second best performing ultralight stove tested.
MSR PocketRocket 2 Stove Review
The MSR PocketRocket 2 is probably one of the most used stoves for long distance backpacking. It has a reputation for being durable and getting the job done.
Fuel Canister Cap? Or No Cap?
Should you carry the cap that comes with your fuel canister? We describe the reasons you should.
Hike the Lost Coast Trail: Why the LCT is So Special
As one of the (if not the) only true coastal wilderness experiences in the contiguous US, the 24 miles of the Lost Coast Trail is unparalleled in its magic.
Thru-Hiking 101: 4 Popular Fuel Canisters Compared
I analyzed the differences between the MSR IsoPro, Snow Peak Giga Power, OLicamp and the Jet Boil Jetpower fuel canisters to see which performed the best.
Thru-hiking 101: Calculate the Cost of Your Thru-Hike
How much does a thru-hike cost? We put together a thru-hike cost calculator so you can estimate the cost of your next long-distance hike based on your own hiking style.
5 Stove Tips That Will Save You Fuel
The best way to make your fuel last is to follow these five simple stove tips. Doing so can potentially double the life of your fuel canister.
Useful Knots for Hikers: The Sheet Bend Knot
One of the most important knots a hiker can learn is called the "Sheet Bend." This knot is great for joining two lines together and can be very useful while out on the trail.
Thru-Hiking 101: How Much Stove Fuel Should You Carry
The best way to determine how much fuel you will need while hiking is to test your stove at home before your hike. Here are some equations to help you out.
Thru-Hiking 101: Leave No Trace (LNT) Principles on Trail
Leave No Trace is a broad set of principles that we should all use to guide our outdoor behavior. Here is our take on the Seven Principles as they apply to no-impact hiking.
Thru-Hiking 101: Measuring Cup Hacks
Cooking a meal on the trail can be more difficult than cooking meals at home. Here are some tips and hacks to convert your cooking pot into a measuring cup.
The Best Ultralight Backpacking Spoon
A backpacking spoon is one of the most cherished pieces of gear a hiker carries. We tested seven different spoons for performance, price, and weight to help you make your utensil decision!
Thru-hiking 101: Warehouse vs Retail Food Prices
When it comes to purchasing backpacking food, taking advantage of warehouse stores like Costco or Sams Club can save time and money. Here are some tips to help you shop smart for your hike.
Understanding Lightning & Thunder on the Trail
When hiking or backpacking, it's very important to understand more about lightning and thunder to help keep you and your trail family safe.
Thru-hiking 101: Tips for Planning your Food in Town
Town food can be one of the most expensive parts of long-distance hiking. Here are some tips on where to eat and how to best spend your money when in town.
Thru-hiking Gear Review – SlingFin SplitWing UL Tarp
Dahn Pratt, a Triple Crown hiker, reviews his initial impression and experience with a SlingFin SplitWing UL Tarp in the Canadian Shield.
Thru-hiking 101: Trail Town Accommodations
This post covers one of the most expensive things you can do in town: stay the night. Here are options from camping outside of town to staying in a motel.
Trail Permits: What You Need to Know
We've collected permit information for nearly all of the trails we offer guides to. Permits can be complicated, and we aim to make it simpler for you!
Thru-hiking 101: Intro to Trail Food
Preparing food for a long backpacking trip can be overwhelming. We provide some tips on how to choose the right food for you!
How Many Calories Do You Burn While Thru-Hiking?
This blog post considers different body weights and hiking styles to provide a better estimate of the number of calories you will burn while backpacking.
The Effect of Shoe Weight on Hiking Speed
Paul conducted an experiment to set out and see if he can provide scientific evidence that a lighter shoe is better for long-distance hiking.
Embrace the Punctuality: Thru-hiking the CDT on a time-crunch
Dahn thru-hiked the CDT in 95 days in between spending six weeks off-trail at four different weddings.
Our Company Trail Story: How Guthook Got Started
We decided that it was time we shared OUR Trail Story with you all. From 1997 until now, here is the story of how our company was started and the journey we took to get to where we are today.
How to Optimize Your Break Time While Hiking
What is the optimal break time when you want to hike big miles?
(Don’t) Hike for Change featuring Fidgit
Fidgit examines decisions to postpone or cancel a long distance hike through the lens of ancient Central and South American mythology and a 20,000 mile trans-American journey.
My (Postponed) Trail Story featuring Rabbit
Rabbit, a.k.a. Rachael DeLano, decided to put her plans to hike the Arizona Trail, West Highland Way, Colorado Trail, and the OR section of the PCT on hold.
Hiking in New Zealand: Te Araroa Trail Culture
Dahn Pratt shares practical advice on hiking and trail culture along Te Araroa. A 1,800 mile (3,000km) hike through both islands of New Zealand.
My (Postponed) Trail Story by Cyclops and McGoober
Chris and Kimberly, a.k.a. Cyclops and McGoober, were getting ready to start their thru-hike on the Continental Divide Trail when they made a hard decision to postpone their hike.
CATlas Guides
CATlas Guides now let's you Check-in with your cat and see what paw-some adventures they go on. Just kitten! We hope our April Fools joke made you smile!
My (Postponed) Trail Story by Flamingo
Phill Toomasian, a.k.a. "Flamingo", was attempting a Calendar Year Triple Crown until he had to get off the Appalachian Trail due to COVID-19.
Thru-hiking Gear Review – Deschutes Zero-G Shelter
A Triple Crown hiker, explains his decision to bring a Deschutes Zero-G shelter on his 2019 thru-hike of the Continental Divide Trail.
How to Send a Check-In in the Guthook Guides App
Here are step-by-step instructions to send a Check-in in the new social feature in your Android and iPhone Guthook Guides app.
12 GORP Varieties to Hike With
Originally written for The Trek. Trail mix is a hiking staple: easy to make and eat. It can get a little monotonous, though, so why not try a variety?
My Trail Story by Mindy
Mindy Bell shares her experiences exploring England as she hiked on the Cotswold Way, Coast to Coast, and Hadrian's Wall Path.
6 Instant Coffee Brands for Thru-Hiking
We taste-tested 10 different instant coffees and a few mocha mixes. Find out how they taste, how much they cost, and whether this is a good choice for your backpacking trip.
My Trail Story by Little Skittle
Becca Bergstrom, a.k.a. Little Skittle, reminds us that we all start somewhere and offers encouragement to anyone thinking of hiking in 2020.
8 Ways to Make Coffee While Thru-Hiking or Camping
We tested eight different methods for making coffee in the outdoors, each with varying taste, cost, and weight.
How Long Will My Toothpaste Last On A Thru-Hike?
Have you ever wondered how long a travel-size tube of toothpaste should last? We did the research so you will know.
My Trail Story by Early Bird
Deserrae Potts, a.k.a Early Bird, shares the story of how she went from a completely broke student and inexperienced backpacker to a thru hiker in one year.
Why is our app called Guthook?
A lot of people ask why our app is called Guthook Guides and how it got its name. Guthook, himself, is here to explain everything from the beginning.
How to Train With No Mountains: My Favorite Hikes near Austin
Originally written for The Trek before my 2016 AT hike. A full-time employee, I couldn't take a long shakedown hike, so I took many day and weekend hikes.
Review: We Sawed a Sawyer Squeeze Filter in Half!
We disassembled a Sawyer Squeeze filter to show you how it filters water and why you should backflush it to keep it clean.
Bringing Leave No Trace to Life Off-Trail
Originally written for The Trek. Leave No Trace is a daily practice for hikers. How do we bring this practice home? I explore ideas of a zero waste life.
My Trail Story by Chad Lubinski
Being an outdoor enthusiast his whole life, Chad Lubinski set out on a PCT section hike to see if the long-distance hiking lifestyle was for him.
The One Piece of Gear You Never Knew You Needed
Originally written for The Trek. Dental care in the backcountry often seems pretty self-explanatory but there are many options for dental care on trail.
Congrats Featured 2019 Thru-Hikers!
Each of these hikers contributed to our "My Trail Story" blog series and have all completed thru-hikes this year! Congratulations to these 2019 thru-hikers!
My Trail Story by Beta
During his John Muir Trail thru-hike, Beta (a.k.a. Zach Terpstra), woke up in the middle of the night by the loudest noise he had ever heard in his life.
My Trail Story by Furiosa
Amber Redfield, a.k.a. Furiosa, shares the lessons she learned after injuring her knee on her Appalachian Trail thru-hike and continuing to hike regardless.
My Trail Story by Adam & Leigh
Adam and Leigh share their story of thru-hiking the Te Araroa and then deciding to thru-hike Pacific Crest Trail the following year.
My Trail Story by Starburst
Jennifer Mabus, a.k.a. Starburst, shares why she decided to thru-hike the Pacific Crest Trail and how it changed her life.
Thru-Hiking Lingo 101
New to the thru-hiking world? Don't worry! Check out these terms to learn the "thru-hiking lingo" and you'll be a part of the hiker trash fam in no time.
My Trail Story by Tiny Slice
Justin Kernes, a.k.a. Tiny Slice, shares about his Pacific Crest Trail thru-hiking experience from before he started his hike to where he is now.
Useful Knots for Hikers: The Bowline
The Bowline knot creates a secure loop that can be very useful while hiking.
My Trail Story by Nav
Nav is thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail with her pup, Arrow, and her amazing trail family ("tramily") that they found along the way.
Useful Knots for Hikers: The Round Turn and Two Half-Hitches
The round turn and two half hitches is a useful knot for backpackers.
My Trail Story by The Purple People
Jillian and Logan Ivey, a.k.a The Purple People or The Mailboxes, experienced some serious "hiker hunger" on their thru-hike of the John Muir Trail in 2018.
My Trail Story by KP
The incredible trail magic that Scott Siler, a.k.a KP, experienced on the Appalachian Trail resulted in a wedding invitation and a restored faith in humanity.
My Trail Story – Jeff Garmire Sets the Fastest Known Time (FKT) on the Arizona Trail
Jeff Garmire, a.k.a Legend, established the newest Fastest Known Time (FKT) on the Arizona Trail on April 22, 2019.
Hiking Tip: What To Do When Your Phone Battery Gets Too Cold
Your battery indicator doesn't always tell you the truth. When hiking, here is what you should do if your phone battery gets too cold...
My Trail Story by PYT
Dave Mizelle, a.k.a. PYT, shares his close call with nature while hiking in the Roan Highlands section of the Appalachian Trail.
Review: Sawyer Mini, Micro and Squeeze Compared
I wrap up my series of Sawyer filter reviews by testing the flow rate of the Sawyer Mini against the Squeeze and Micro.
My Trail Story by Justin Helmkamp
Justin Helmkamp spent 40 days walking over 800 miles on Te Araroa in New Zealand.
Review: Should I carry the Sawyer Syringe?
It is more effective to use the Sawyer coupler or a Smartwater bottle nozzle to backflush your Sawyer Squeeze filter than to use the Sawyer syringe that comes packaged with the Sawyer Squeeze filter.
My Trail Story by Peanut
Peanut, a.k.a. Melanie Harsha, withdrew all of her applications to doctorate programs, adopted a dog, and started planning her first thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail in 2016.
Mud Season Backpacking in New England
Spring in New England means mud and loose snow in the mountains. It’s a great time to hike if you can find the right locations, though. Here are a few of our favorites to get ready for bigger trips in the summer!
My Trail Story by Puff Puff
Alex Mason, a.k.a. Puff Puff, is a Brit who has made thru-hiking her lifestyle. She hiked the Pacific Crest Trail in 2015 and hasn't stopped since.
My Trail Story by Jim Murphy
Jim Murphy took a wrong turn in the Bob Marshall Wilderness, walked straight into a forest fire, and shares the story of how he survived.
Poodle Dog Bush: Is the Hype Legit?
Poodle dog bush is a plant along the Pacific Crest Trail in Southern California that causes severe, long-lasting irritation, worse than poison oak.
My Trail Story by Lara Handwerker
After meeting on the Appalachian Trail, this thru-hiking couple got married and decided to hike the Continental Divide Trail for their honeymoon.
My Trail Story by Golden Girl
Alex Patino, a.k.a. Golden Girl, explains how he went from working in the fashion industry in NYC for seven years, to hiking the Pacific Crest Trail, Colorado Trail, and Appalachian Trail.
My Trail Story by Sochi
Ethan Gehl, a.k.a. Sochi, has hiked 6,000+ miles all over the world and shares what he's learned from his time in the wilderness.
My Trail Story by PCP
Chelsea Fisher, a.k.a. PCP ("Pretty Cool Person") shares her journey of becoming a thru-hiker from the AT to the Long Trail, and now on to hike the PCT in 2019.
My Trail Story by Crunchmaster
Trevor Pyke, a.k.a. Crunchmaster, shares how he's come to love thru-hiking and what he learned hiking the PCT, AT, and parts of the CDT.
My Trail Story by Squishy
Emily Schrick, a.k.a. Squishy, talks about her experience thru-hiking the Pacific Crest Trail and how she stayed motivated to finish.
My Trail Story by Chicken of the Sea
Ben Coats, a.k.a. Chicken of the Sea, talks about the curveball he experienced on the Pacific Crest Trail and how he finished his thru-hike.
My Trail Story by Anish
Heather "Anish" Anderson's first book, Thirst: 2600 Miles to Home, about her 2013 Pacific Crest Trail hike is now available! Read all about her trail story.
Miniature Wilderness in the Camden Hills
Our guides may be best known on long-distance trails, but my favorite use for them is to plan hikes in trail systems like Camden Hills State Park in Maine
My Trail Story by Craig Fowler
Craig Fowler shares his story of how he became a thru-hiker and bikepacker, and how he turned his passions into a full-time project.
My Trail Story by Larry
Lani Advokat, a.k.a. Larry, has thru-hiked the John Muir Trail, Tahoe Rim Trail, Pacific Crest Trail, and the Colorado Trail in the last four years. Check out what she has to say about her experiences thru-hiking.
My Trail Story by Yuengling
Alec Santiago, a.k.a. Yuengling, shares a few stories from his experience thru-hiking the Pacific Crest Trail.
My Trail Story by Token
Read about what it's really like to thru-hike the Pacific Crest Trail by Kathleen Neeves, a.k.a. Token.
A Lookingglass Lake Loop
As I plan hikes for this summer, I look back on some of my favorite trips from last year, including my hike to Lookingglass Lake.
My Trail Story by Dahn Pratt
Dahn Pratt shares the jitters he experienced beginning his thru-hike or thru-tramp across New Zealand on Te Araroa.
My Trail Story by Flower Power
Allison DiVerde, a.k.a. Flower Power, offers her advice for those who are new to thru-hiking after her journey on the Appalachian Trail this past year.
My Trail Story by Nar Nar
Kyle O'Grady, a.k.a Nar Nar on the trail, shares the story of how he became a thru-hiker from his first ever hike to summiting Mt. Katahdin on the Appalachian Trail.
My Trail Story by Croc
Kate Stelfox, otherwise known as Croc on the trail, talks about her experiences thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail and Pacific Crest Trail.
My Trail Story by Grizzly
Our new "My Trail Story" series will feature thru-hikers of all ages and backgrounds sharing their personal, real life experiences from the trail. Michael Ivey, otherwise known as Grizzly on the trail, starts us off.
Review: Sawyer Squeeze and Sawyer Micro Flow Rate Tests
We continue our review of the Sawyer Micro Squeeze and Sawyer Squeeze, this time with different squeeze containers, including the Vecto, Evernew, Smartwater Bottle, and Sawyer Squeeze Pouch.
Guthook’s New Year’s Hiking Goals
Have you made your New Year’s Resolutions yet? Or are you going to forget them within minutes of making them? Check out how Guthook manages his New Years Resolutions— maybe his obsession can help you with yours.
How Long Does it Take to Hike Each Trail?
Would you like to hike for 5-6 months? A few weeks? A few days? We've got you covered. See how long each of our trails are by time and length.
Guthook’s Holiday Gift Guide
Give the Gift of Guthook this holiday season! We have trail guides for every type of hiker, thru-hiker, backpacker, or outdoors-lover on your list.
10 Thru-Hiking Gifts for Under $20
Whether you're stuffing stockings or looking for affordable hiking gifts, you're sure to find something on this list.
Katahdin Woods & Waters Monument Planning
How do National Parks and Monuments decide how to manage their land? Guthook took a trip to see part of the planning process in person.
Review: the New Sawyer Micro Squeeze
We review Sawyer's new Micro Squeeze water filtration system.
What is thru-hiking?
The definition of "thru-hiking" cannot be found in a dictionary. That's why I asked these thru-hikers to share what thru-hiking means to them.
10 Affordable Lightweight Gear Options for Backpackers and Thru Hikers
Ten affordable lightweight backpacking items that are a must for any trip.
Pathways to the Future: Rivers and Trails 2018
Last week I attended a symposium celebrating the 50th anniversary of National Trails and Wild and Scenic Rivers.
Guthook’s Backpacking Food Planner
How much food do you take backpacking? How much SHOULD you pack? Read how Guthook plans the right amount.
After the Trail: Post-Hike Depression
Many hikers have difficulty adjusting after a hike. Read what experienced thru hikers have to say about post-hike depression.
My First Backpacking Trip to Havasu Falls
Hiking to Havasu Falls was an experience I will never forget. But here’s the thing, I knew NOTHING about backpacking.
Choosing the Right Charger for your Thru-Hike
Since many hikers carry phones and portable batteries, we evaluated a variety of battery chargers and have some to recommend for long-distance hikers.
Trail Maintenance for Lightweight Backpackers
This set of maintenance tools is great and it fits easily in the side pocket of my pack.
Katahdin Woods & Waters National Monument
Last week I took a trip into the Katahdin Woods & Waters National Monument, a new addition to the National Parks system.
Wind River Peak
After the NOLS course, I went back out to the mountains to climb Wind River Peak. At 13,192 feet, it is the highest in the southern part of the range.
Sangre de Cristo Backpacking
We will enter the Sangre de Cristo Wilderness of the Rio Grande National Forest and spend five days bouncing between peaks.
Backpacking Through Baxter State Park
For my second annual Baxter State Park backpacking trip, I went to parts of the park that few out-of-staters ever see.
A Bold Hike at Cutler Coast
Though this was one of the most wonderful hikes I’ve been on, most hikers who visit Maine have never heard of the Cutler Coast.
Getting the Most From Your Phone’s Battery
You’re ready to hit the trail, your fully-loaded smartphone in hand. But how long will it last when you’re not near an outlet?
How Many People Hike the AT and PCT?
If you’ve been on the Appalachian or Pacific Crest Trail and thought, “there are a lot of people out here,” you’re not wrong.
Birds Eye Stories of the Appalachian Trail
I’ve been fascinated by satellite imagery of the the Appalachian Trail. It tells a very different story about the landscape.
Winter Solo on Tumbledown
The plan: hike to Tumbledown Pond and camp. The difficulty: almost nobody attempts Tumbledown in winter.
Mount Tom & Mount Field
For Sunday’s hike, Siren and I headed to Crawford Notch and the Mt Willey Range for a snow-covered trip to Mount Tom and Mount Field in New Hampshire.
Mt. Chocorua
Last weekend had much better conditions than the previous one, so I tried to make up for it by doing two great day hikes, starting with Mt. Chocorua.
Mt. Moriah
Another week of heavy snow in New England meant the mountains were ripe for exploration, so we headed out on an overnight hike to Mt. Moriah.
Cabot Mtn Winter Backpacking Trip
I ventured into the northernmost part of the White Mountains for a weekend of serious winter backpacking.
What Are the Steepest Climbs on the AT, PCT, and CDT?
I analyzed elevation data to come up with an estimate of the steepest climbs.
Baxter Backpacking, Day 7: Finale on Doubletop
The 7th day of our Baxter backpacking trip. We had beautiful, clear skies and a view up to Doubletop from camp.
Baxter Backpacking, Day 6: Deeper to the North
In northeast Baxter, there’s some small mountains and ponds with small campsites on the shore.
Baxter Backpacking, Day 5: The Traveler
Tom and I set out over The Traveler Loop. I’d heard about how gorgeous the mountain was and had looked at it from Katahdin.
Baxter Backpacking, Day 4: North into the Past
After two days of hiking over Katahdin, I was looking forward to a day of long miles with little elevation: a day in the green tunnel.
Baxter Backpacking, Day 3: Over the Top
As with all trails up Katahdin, ascending the Hamlin Ridge was more like bouldering rather than walking.
Baxter Backpacking, Day 2: Katahdin
Like most trails up Katahdin, the Cathedral was more akin to bouldering than walking, with just as much use of hands as feet.
Baxter Backpacking, Day 1: Drive and Run
I returned yesterday from seven nights of backpacking in Baxter State Park with my friend, Tom.
Wrapping Up the Virginia Hike
We set out into the last bit of the AT in Virginia, between Shenandoah and Harper’s Ferry.
High and Low in Shenandoah National Park
My memories say that Shenandoah is easy and boring. I learned that wasn’t accurate.
Central Virginia App Mapping
After a day off, I was doing better. My aching feet were well rested and I was ready to hit the trail once again.
Southern Virginia AT Mapping
We hiked into Virginia's Mount Rogers National Recreation Area, one of the most-hiked parts of the AT in the south.
Camden Hills Winter Cabin
I’ve been planning a winter wonderland camping trip for the last weekend of the year with several friends.
Rivers and Brooks and Leaves, Oh My!
I found some hikes in the White Mountains that proved that even in the “green tunnel” you can find a great wilderness trip.
Wild River Wilderness Backpacking Loop
I met up with Philip and Steve for a two-night backpacking trip through one of the wildest regions of the White Mountains.
Tumbledown Mountain Double-Loop
I hiked two full loops in the Tumbledown range, a day hike that was lot more punishing and rewarding than I thought.
A Month at NOLS
I took a month-long instructor course at the National Outdoor Leadership School. Our time there took us into the Wind River Mountains. Here's a report on that NOLS course.