Off the Grid

The AT is a ridge line trail. It was blazed to follow the ridge line of the Appalachian Mountains. This means you're on top of a mountain most of the time, or trudging to the top, or scrambling off the top. I used to hear that you're more likely to win the lottery than get struck by lightning. That was encouraging, but I knew my behavior was akin [...] Read more

I've seen my fair share of dangerous wild animals on the trail. Alligators, panthers, bears, snakes, and people. The thing is, alligators just lay there, panthers sprint away, snakes are easy to kill, bears are pussies, and people are just slow. What it all comes down to is that all of these "threats" aren't really that dangerous. Seeing a bear [...] Read more

I carry a simple first aid kit. It's contents is listed on my First Aid Kit Wiki. First aid in the wilderness is usually comfort based. If anything really bad happens, it's a MediVac to the hospital. Some of the most common problems on the trail are sprains, blisters, and infection. Thus Vitamin-I (Ibuprofen), Moleskin, and range of cremes. [...] Read more

Click on bubbles for a short description! View Best of the AT- South in a larger map Here's my list of my favorite and not so favorite places I've encountered so far along the Appalachian Trail: Best Shelter: Bryant Ridge Shelter Hostel: Bears Den B&B: Hikers Inn Swim Hole: Dismal Falls Waterfall: Laurel Falls View: Charlie's Bunion Picture: [...] Read more

"I'm calling it dude," I said to Aaron as the sun was setting over northern Maryland. We were about 30 miles into a hike that had taken us all day. We were 13 miles short of our goal, and had just enough time to get to an out before things got dicey. The 4 State challenge is a 43 mile hike along the Appalachian Trail which runs from the VA-WV [...] Read more

My parents came out to visit me at my place...otherwise known as the wilderness. It was a great time, because if you aren't a hiker, you aren't really comfortable in the wilderness, can't sleep in shelters, and generally are bothered by mice, flies, bats, and bears. This means hotels. For my trip through the Shenandoah's, I got to Slack-Pack. This [...] Read more

The jury is in. For the longest time I debated the merit of the barefoot movement and this week I finally bought a pair of Merrell Trail Gloves and put some miles on them. I started slow to break myself in. I definitely gave myself enough time to get used to them. After about 80 miles on the AT with a 30 pound pack, I was done. The definitive [...] Read more

Nothing can be said to make this moment better. View from McAfee Knob.