Tales from the Trail

Weight, weight, don’t tell me

August 22, 2009

“You are never going to make it through the Whites or the Mahoosacs with that pack,” another backpacker tells me. I nod and think I heard you the first four times you told me. He is traveling with a friend, wearing spandex, carrying only a fanny pack. He began to lecture me on the weight [...]

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Reader Question #7: Going Southbound

August 21, 2009

Abe Y. from Austin, TX. Question: Why did you choose to hike the trail Southbound? Answer: Because I am a masochist and a misanthrope. Actually, I love people, so it is sometimes lonely to hike Southbound, but I am getting some good time to reflect and meditate. And I am importing hikers by getting my [...]

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Me and Mango Mamma

August 18, 2009
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Solo hiking

July 22, 2009

Several people have asked me if I get lonely being a solo hiker and here is my answer: Hiking alone is not so bad. I make up games to pass the time. My favorite one is “Count to 1000.” Not to be bested by “Count to 1000 again” and “Which piece of gear will I [...]

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How not to climb Mt St Helens

May 14, 2009

In the interest of avoiding redundancy, I am going to tell you something different. I am going to tell you how not to hike Mt. St Helens–pointers on good things to avoid.

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