From the monthly archives:

May 2009

Hydrangeas at Marmot Cabin

May 28, 2009 Pacific NW
Hydrangeas
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Basic self-defense

May 28, 2009 How to's
Adelaide does self-defense

I’d like to be clear here–the Appalachian Trail is a pretty safe place for women. Incidents are the extreme exception rather than the rule. Still, basic self-defense skills are useful. If nothing else, they will help you feel grounded and secure in your ability to protect yourself. I recently attended a great self-defense class with [...]

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Reader Question #3: Naked

May 27, 2009 Reader Q & A

Julie C. from Nashville, TN

Question:

I see the name of your blog is Dressed in Dirt. Are you actually going to hike naked?

Answer:

No, that creates too much chafing (not that I’m speaking from personal experience).

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Wilderness School MBA

May 22, 2009 How to's

Last Fall, I attended TrackersNW immersion program, where I learned how to build a fire without matches, how to identify edible plants, and how to create a business plan. It’s an interesting mix of skills, but the facilitators of the program feel passionately that there are ways for people to pursue their love of the outdoors while making enough money to quit their day jobs…

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Reader Question #2: Shaved Head

May 21, 2009 Reader Q & A
Addy with a shaved head.

Griff B. from Norman, OK.

Question:

Hi Addy, why did you shave your head?

Answer:

For added aerodynamics on the trail.

Alternate answer:

To make up for not shaving my legs.

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Checking out gear at REI

May 21, 2009 Gear
Cara checks out a tent in REI

My friend Cara and I went to check out REI recently. One of the most important things I can pass along to people is: Don’t be afraid to try it out in the store…

If you are interested in a tent, ask if you can set it up in the store. You need to make sure that it’s pretty easy and intuitive to setup as you may be doing that on the trail when you are cold or exhausted. Then lay down in the tent to get a feel for what it would be like to stay in it night after night. Here’s Cara hanging out in the REI’s Quarter Dome T2 tent.

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Planning food

May 20, 2009 How to's
A picture of the Appalachian Trail Food Planner

I’ve just finished reading The Appalachian Trail Food Planner. It’s a helpful little book with instructions on how to plan your food for the trail. Most people either have their friends send them food or they use a bounce box. A bounce box is a package filled with extra supplies, like food, batteries, undies, that a hiker sends to herself in one town, where she takes what she needs and then sends the remaining supplies to the next town. It’s a great way to avoid carrying too much weight.

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General Delivery: How to receive mail on the AT

May 20, 2009 How to's

I’ve been wondering about how to keep in touch and get mail from my friends on the trail, and I just found out one way. The post office offers a service called general delivery. This means that if someone writes me a letter addressed like this: Addy c/o General Delivery Small town near the AT, [...]

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