Throughout this blog, I have been trying to document my outdoor excursions and share them with you all. I have recently started detailing some of the training involved in working up to the more advanced backpacking trips I go on, but nutrition is something I have not yet touched upon Read more…
Backpacking Mill Mountain was by far my most enjoyable hiking and camping experience. There was enough climbing at the start to make the hike challenging, and the campsite was the largest and most comfortable I had stayed in. I highly recommend this hike for anyone looking for a picturesque backpacking Read more…
Summary Location: Anywhere Duration: 2 hours, 45 minutes Length: 5.47 miles Gear: water, 1 pre-cooked lunch, protein+oats, 30 pounds of added weight Highlights: attempting to increase my rate of fatigue Stats: Making an Easy Day Hike Longer and Challenging Yesterday was the first sunny day in over a week. Read more…
Summary Location: Etlan, VA Duration: 3 hours 20 minutes to reach the summit (1.5 hours to return from saddle trail). GPX data to summit available for download below! Length: 4.82 miles to the summit Gear: water, pre-cooked food (hard-boiled eggs, peanut butter sandwiches) Highlights: Hiking through the moonlit darkness to watch Read more…
Summary Location: Myersville, MD Duration: 3 hours (plus 15 minutes for lunch) Length: 6.9 miles Gear: water, 1 pre-cooked lunch Highlights: visiting the Washington Monument Stats: An Easy Day Hike for Everyone The portion of the Appalachian Trail which runs through Maryland is known for being relatively flat. This makes the Read more…
Summary Location: Harpers Ferry, MD Duration: 2 hours Length: 5.2 miles Gear: water, Larabar, shake Highlights: view of Potomac River, Civil War history and artifacts Link: https://www.hikingupward.com/OMH/MarylandHeights/ Stats: A Hike for Everyone This trail is great for experienced hikers but can also be used as a first-hike for beginners. Read more…
Prior to starting my backpacking, hiking, and camping adventures, I had no knowledge of the outdoors. In fact, I was a typical city slicker. Over the years, I had become frustrated with office politics and a corporate culture that sucked the soul from my body. Many nights and weekends Read more…
Location: Zion National Park, Utah Duration: 1 day (drive to Zion, hike, drive back) Gear: none! Highlights: First hike, astonishing views, overcoming physical and mental obstacles Lessons learned: pay attention to the area – you might need to acclimate to the elevation and humidity before starting this hike. Link: https://www.visitutah.com/places-to-go/most-visited-parks/zion/adventure-guide/angels-landing/] Read more…
Location: Dolly Sods Wilderness, West Virginia (coordintes for parking at Bear Rocks Trailhead below) Duration: 2 days (GPX files below for download!) Activity: Day 1 – drive to Dolly Sods Wilderness. Hike 8 miles to camp. Day 2 – hike back to car and drive home Highlights: surviving a below-freezing Read more…
Are you wondering how to start hiking and backpacking? Are you a total beginner whose never been on a hike before in your life, let alone an overnight camping trip? Before I started my overnight backpacking adventures, I was also a beginner who shouted “YES” to both of these questions. Read more…