Category Archives: Hiking

Initial impressions of the Thrupack Summit Bum – Pocket

Posted on March 20, 2020 by

One of my goals in the past few years has been a lighter pack weight and to hike more efficiently.  I am pretty happy with my pack weight and gear. My base weight (everything except food and water) for cold … Continue reading →

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How to put in higher mileage days when backpacking

Posted on February 26, 2020 by

I will never set a speed record for long distance hiking, but I am always looking for ways to improve my overall hiking speed. I will share a few of the things I have learned in my years of backpacking … Continue reading →

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Track my progress real-time on my SPOT GPS Messenger

Posted on October 4, 2019 by

I’m leaving tomorrow (10/5/2019) morning to drive to Elkmont, Tennessee and begin a 4 day, 35 mile backpacking trip. To show how a SPOT GPS Messenger works, I am sharing my public page where you can track my progress. There … Continue reading →

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Printable Pinhoti “snail trail” guide

Posted on August 6, 2019 by

In planning for an upcoming 5 day/4 night solo trip, I visit the Pinhoti Trail Alliance website often. You can find it here: http://www.pinhotitrailalliance.org/ One of the offerings on this website is a North bound “snailtrail guide” that goes into … Continue reading →

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Initial impressions of the Outdoor Vitals LoftTek (TM) Insulated Jacket and compared to the Patagonia Nano-Puff Jacket

Posted on July 29, 2019 by

Yes, it has been several months since I’ve posted.  Life has been busy.  However, I received something in the mail and thought I’d share! You may have seen the OutdoorVitals jacket for sale on Kickstarter. If not, the link is … Continue reading →

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Pinhoti Trail planning spreadsheet

Posted on June 8, 2019 by

Those that know me know I’m a little nerdy and detail oriented.  I love spreadsheets.  Nothing too fancy, but a well designed spreadsheet makes me happy. The Pinhoti Trail in Alabama stretches for about 180 miles across the state from … Continue reading →

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Sale on SPOT GPS Messenger

Posted on May 7, 2019 by

I have a SPOT device and it suits my needs. Do your research and make your own decision. If you decide this is for you they are having a limited time sale. Disclaimer: I do not benefit in any way … Continue reading →

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What I wished I knew before I starting backpacking and hiking, but didn’t…. Part 9: Liquids and Liquid Management

Posted on April 14, 2019 by

This is the 9th part of a series.  Today is a double post day!  What to drink on the trail and how much water do you carry?  This largely depends on where you hike but I will say that hydration … Continue reading →

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What I wished I knew before I starting backpacking and hiking, but didn’t…. Part 8: First Aid Kit (FAK)

Posted on April 14, 2019 by

This is the eighth part of a series. The First Aid Kit (FAK) is an area where I see a lot of extra weight and people packing their fears. If you are afraid of getting hurt and being unprepared, the … Continue reading →

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Sample backpacking food list for 5 day, 4 night hiking trip.

Posted on April 5, 2019 by

One of the most important things to consider when doing multi-day hiking is food. When you are hiking many miles (for me that is over 15 miles a day) for several days in a row, you have to ensure you … Continue reading →

Posted in Backpacking, Beginner Series, Helpful information, Hiking | 2 Comments