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The Long Distance Hiking Community
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| Free Hugs |
[Jul. 28th, 2009|08:09 pm] |
Small world, and strange. I hiked with this guy "Free Hugs" on the Appalachian Trail last year. It turned out he was a Marine like me. It so happened that we were on the same base at the same time over in Iraq back back in 03, the same night we got rocketed.
Later on in the deployment, Hugs had been seriously wounded. He got a piece of shrapnel through his brain. He's pretty much recovered now, thank God. I found his trail Vlog on youtube. If you're planning a thru-hike I suggest you check it out! It will give you some idea of what to expect.
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| Question for recent thru-hikers |
[Jun. 29th, 2009|02:12 am] |
| [ | Mood |
| |  curious | ] |
I spent the spring and early summer of 1995 on the Appalachian Trail attempting a thru-hike (which was cut short by medical issues).
Afterwards, I drifted away from the Trail community. This summer, changes in my life gave me the opportunity to run hiker shuttles in and out of Waynesboro, VA. One thing I noticed was that many hikers had cell phones. Cell phones hadn't even been invented yet when I was on the Trail (holy shite I'm old).
Just out of curiosity, how prevalant are cell phones on the Trail now? In my day, if a phone rang at a shelter, we probably would have bonked the owner on the head with a stout log... I'm assuming that attitude has changed?
Curious... |
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| Seventeen Arrested Saturday; Six Remain in Jail for Opposition to Mountaintop Removal Coal Mining |
[May. 25th, 2009|07:02 am] |
| [ | Mood |
| |  annoyed | ] |
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MAY 24, 2009
CONTACT: Sludge Watch Collective 304-854-7372
Rep. Hechler: Keep Hellraising!
Seventeen Arrested Saturday; Six Remain in Jail for Opposition to Mountaintop Removal Coal Mining and Coal Sludge Impoundments; $2000 Cash Bail ‘Unprecedented”
COAL RIVER VALLEY, W.Va.— Seventeen volunteers were arrested Saturday in a three-part civil disobedience action in the continuing movement to end mountaintop removal. Six are still in the Southern Regional Jail as their supporters try to raise the $2,000 cash-only bail a Raleigh County magistrate says is needed for their release.
“This is an unprecedented and extremely punitive bail situation,” Mountain Justice volunteer Ivan Stiefel said. “We can’t even use a bondsman. We need $18,000 cash, on a holiday weekend, to get everyone out of jail. We are asking everyone to go to mountainjustice.org and respond to this outrage by donating to our legal fund.”
Allies of those arrested plan to hold vigils outside the magistrate’s office until they are all released.
( read more + a photo + a video )
For more information, photos, or to find out how you can help, please visit the following sites:
http://climategroundzero.org/
http://mountainjustice.org/
Please forward this information widely if you care about these issues.
List serves, mspace, facebook, LJ, and twitter, oh my... :D |
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| Note From my Sister on The PCT |
[May. 19th, 2009|11:43 pm] |
Cynthia Blair I need some help with the podcast facebook peeps. Think of some interesting things you'd like us to talk about...stay on topic you hooligans...and email the questions to kevin@midworld.com
So if there is anything any of you would like to know about regarding the PCT or the hike they are on let them know and they will cover it in their podcasts....
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| Top Five - Dream Backpacking Trips |
[May. 15th, 2009|05:39 pm] |
Seeing as I'm on the verge of a big bike trip, I'm of course dreaming of backpacking.
Here are the top five big hikes I'd love to do:
#5 - The Arizona National Scenic Trail + The Hayduke Trail + trails across Utah/Uinta Mountain Traverse + the Idaho Centennial Trail
Mexico to Canada, making it up as you go along. I'm not sure I'm up to all this, long distances are tough, cross country, and waterless. But as a series of big section hikes, it'd be fun.
#4 - The New England National Scenic Trail and the Cohos Trail, as a continuous hike from the coast to Canada.
The National Scenic bit is a new designation from the amendment to the National Trails Act this spring. That bit is a bit of a compromise if you ask me - the real meat of this hike is covering the whole distance up to Quebec and the Cohos is there to make it possible (~580 miles). Besides, any excuse to hike in the White Mountains is okay by me.
#3 - The Pacific Crest Trail
#2 - The Continental Divide Trail + The Great Divide Trail in Canada
The longest distances at high altitude, the most difficult resupply, grizzly bears, and plenty of cross country travel. The longest of the north-south trails - a dream!
#1 - The Sea to Sea Route
7,700 miles from the Atlantic Ocean in Quebec to the Pacific Ocean in Washington State - this is the future of long distance hiking in North America. Bigger, badder, longer, and more varied than the other trails, this takes in the entire North Country Trail, Pacific Northwest Trail, and International Appalachian Trail, sections of the Appalachian Trail, Long Trail, and Continental Divide Trails. |
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| Northern Exposure: Hiking the North Country Trail |
[May. 15th, 2009|05:20 pm] |
[ From The New York Times ]
By STEPHEN REGENOLD
Published: April 24, 2009
LACE up your boots, shoulder a pack, and head out on the North Country Trail this month from its origin in Crown Point, N.Y., and you could journey westward straight through the summer, past autumn’s falling leaves, and hike miles nonstop every day until snow blocks the path.
Just ask Andrew Skurka, a legend of long-distance backpacking who did exactly that in 2004, spending six months walking west from New York thousands of miles to the trail’s terminus in North Dakota. “It just went on and on and on,” he said.
At 4,600 miles in length, the North Country National Scenic Trail bisects a large part of the continent, slicing through seven states — from glacier-scoured landscapes in Adirondack Park to prairies on the Great Plains — and snaking a distance twice as long as the Appalachian Trail.
“If you want to see a huge cross-section of the U.S.A., the North Country is it,” said Mr. Skurka, a 27-year-old who has hiked the Appalachian and Pacific Crest Trails, as well as a transcontinental trek he completed in 2005 that included the entire North Country Trail.
( Read more... ) |
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| Best of.... Olympic National Park? |
[May. 11th, 2009|11:23 am] |
Hi! Thanks to everyone who replied to my first, last and only post about Half Dome tips. I'm back with a new question...
We'll be in Seattle next week and would like to head over to Olympic National Park. However, we will only be there for the day. Given our schedule and our ability to get up early (non-existent, really) we need a single hike we could drive to, walk around for a few hours, and drive out. Probably on the north side of the park - my bf is insistent of going to visitors centers. Because the bridge on that side of the park is out, however, we will probably drive down to Olympia and then up 101 along the harbor/bay on the east side of the park. So, anything accessible from the east or north sides of the park would be alright. we are figuring 2 hours drive time to whereever we hike and a bit longer coming back to stop and take pictures, but we could adjust our times slightly if need be. Right now we are considering Hurricane Ridge.
Has anyone been to Olympic? Any suggestions for what would be best for a one-stop hike? Anything we should be certain we don't miss?
Thanks! (x-posted) |
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| For those of you who don't know Pacific Crest Trail Hikers UPdate |
[May. 10th, 2009|11:32 pm] |
Ok... This week my sister and her husband had close encounters with a rattle snake and bears... Makes me kinda glad I am not there...
Check out her website and hear the story straight from them and I guess they will also have a video they are uploading... (some time tomorrow for video) Right now they have a webisode posted and they are talking about the bears and the snake.. but I guess they have video which they will put up tomorrow
Also Please feel free to pass this website on to anyone you like...
www.walk2650.com
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| pacific Crest Trail |
[May. 6th, 2009|06:06 pm] |
Hey to all you hikers out there.. I am not one.. I am not able to hike much at all lately... But MY SISTER is Currently hiking the PCT(with her husband) ....
She is doing weekly podcasts and also posting pictures of the trail as they go along.. They are in week 2 or 3 I have lost track but they update almost daily right now(they still have cel service)...
Check out their website.. I am sure they would love to hear from fellow hikers.. During their weekly podcasts they are also answering questions they receive from people so ask away...
www.walk2650.com
Enjoy.. |
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| Iron Mountains, TN |
[Apr. 23rd, 2009|08:06 am] |
Hello, fellow hikers!
Would anyone have some tips for hiking the AT stretch from about Watuga Lake Dam to about US 91 by Shady Valley, TN (top of Iron Mountains ridge)? I think it's called "Section 3" (The literature at AT site is out of stock). Specifically, five of us are thinking about a two-night trip as it looks like a 20-25 mile hike.
1) Is it reasonable to hike this stretch in a group of five over the Memorial Day weekend? Does it happen that the trail may get too crowded?
2) It looks like almost this entire stretch is on top of the ridge. So, I assume we'd need to bring water for all three days?
3) AT guides for NC are out of stock. Any suggestions for good literature/maps? Or should we backorder guides from AT since they are the best?
Thanks!
-Greg |
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| Half Dome Advice? |
[Apr. 15th, 2009|05:27 pm] |
Hello!
I am a casual to moderate hiker - I would hike more frequently and tougher routes, but I'm stranded in Illinois which is beautiful but flatflatflat! This summer, my boyfriend and I will have the pleasure of spending serious time in Yosemite. We'll do a lot of hiking, particularly up near Tioga Pass, but the highlight of the trip will be celebrating his 30th birthday with a hike up Half Dome.
I'm starting to prepare for all of this, and Half Dome in particular and could use your advice.
1. Training: I don't want to be the one straggling behind up this hike, so I'd like to get into shape. I'd appreciate any advice you might have on how to do that in a place that doesn't have any substantial change in elevation. My goal right now is just to build endurance - I figure if I can walk all day, sunrise to sunset, I'm halfway ready.
2. Shoes: This is a serious matter, and I'd appreciate advice from other women on this. I need something that will last the summer. Something lightweight but supportive and sturdy. I am thinking a trail shoe with decent ankle support will be better than an actual boot for my needs. Also, I have slightly wide feet for my size and since I am getting a wee bit older (30 also) my arches are falling so I need good support there. I tend to protenate when I run (i.e. roll my feet in) as well - I've never noticed this to be a problem hiking, but I don't usually hike all day every day. Can anybody recommend a good trail shoe?
3. Other gear: I want to acquire some convertable pants and a good hydration pack for hike also. Recommendations for products you love welcome!
4. Miscellaneous advice, things we shouldn't miss while out there, etc. We are driving cross country and will definitely be hitting Yellowstone and Glacier as well.
Thanks for all the help! I'd say right now the shoe question is my primary concern, so I bolded it. (I cross posted the heck out of this - sorry if you see it twice!)
:D |
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| lame duck lesgialation makes the leveling of appalachia even easier |
[Feb. 18th, 2009|07:29 am] |
| [ | Mood |
| |  hopeful | ] |
The Appalachian mountains are the oldest mountain range in the world [which is why they're not as outwardly impressive as younger, taller mountains] and as a result, they are also home to some of the most richly biodiverse ecosystems in the world.
Mountaintop removal mining first started during the mid nineties as a way to technically comply with the Clean Air Act, in which regulations on sulfur emissions drove coal companies to look for ever more efficient means to extract the deepest pockets of low sulphur [bituminous] coal which would comply with the regulations. Ironically, it's a perfect example of that old cliche "cutting off one's nose to save one's face" - or rather, destroying the land, water, culture, AND air.. to reduce one single carcinogen [out of hundreds!]
The results are nothing less than disastrous, from cradle to grave:
Please feel free to copy and paste this post, and don't forget to check out the following websites for groups which organize around the resistance to the leveling of Appalachia.
http://www.ilovemountains.org/
http://appalachianvoices.org/
http://mountainjustice.org/
http://www.ohiocitizen.org/campaigns/coal/coal.html
http://ohvec.org/ |
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| Boots on the ground |
[Feb. 3rd, 2009|07:35 pm] |
Ok, how about this one?
I had some problems with achilles tedonitis last year. I get a twinge every now and then, but I do NOT WANT THAT PAIN COMING BACK!
What do you think, is it better to go with lightweight shoes (I'm already figuring to go lightweight overall to reduce the strain on the tendon), or ones with more height to give more support?
Also, does anyone know any good exercises to strengthen the achilles without damaging it?
See you out there! |
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| Trips and Tarps |
[Feb. 1st, 2009|09:57 pm] |
I'm contemplating a big season this year (as I'm building to a 450+miler in Spain in 2011). I've got a 42-miler on the AT over a weekend in April, a variable-length stealth camp/infiltration in Maryland in May, another in PA in June, and a 124-miler along the C+O Canal Towpath in late June.
The thing is, I'm good with camping under the stars most nights, but weather happens. I'm considering transitioning from a solo tent to a tarp or tarp/hammock combination. Have you ever used one? If so, what kind?
I'm looking at tarps now, and I don't know the difference between silnylon and ripstop nylon, although that last looks a lot like the Walmart wonders I have in the basement. Same thing? Seems like sleeping under one of those rattling things would be noisy as hell with every breeze.
I'm told that sleeping in a hammock is really chilly. What do you think?
Best regards,
Steve V.
All the way! |
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| TVA Coal Ash Spill .. on the ground updates. |
[Jan. 1st, 2009|05:33 am] |
| [ | Mood |
| |  anxious | ] |
Everyone was told to boil their water (as if this was merely a sewer line break) but boiling the water destroys the pots and they can’t be used anymore. The residents and the cats and dogs are throwing up because of the water. People are getting burned just by taking a shower. TVA publicly states they’re delivering water but the residents aren’t receiving any bottled water. UMD volunteers delivering hundreds of gallons of bottled water were getting arrested and told that we’re not allowed to pass out free water to the public.
There is no phone service in the worst areas and UMD volunteers are the only way of communicating with the outside for some of them. The ash is in the air and looks like it’s snowing. TVA is turning the Emory River into a new coal slurry impoundment by creating two new earthen dams on it. TVA is building new pond slurry impoundment and is spraying asbestos into this new pond which is illegal. While the land, wildlife and people are being destroyed, TVA is rebuilding the railway ASAP so they can bring in more coal to burn at the Kingston Coal Plant. They don’t care and they can’t stop.
UMD has been at the coal ash disaster site since the beginning. We need money and we need volunteers. We have a temporary donated condo in Kingston and are looking for a more permanent office in Harriman closer to the site. We’re doing water & soil testing, going door to door listening to the locals’ problems & needs, passing out bottled water, arranging flyovers for politicians reporters and locals and to get fresh video & pics cause the stuff keeps moving, nonstop media relations, connecting with local organizations, bringing in people from PA who’ve been through this before, organizing a locals-only community meeting so people can speak openly, and soon legal work will need to start.
- United Mountain Defense
Footage from an attempt to canoe down the Emory River in order to collect samples of soil and water.
Interview with a local resident who describes the before / after of his back yard, which is now a sludge filled mess.
For more photos, footage, and links, visit the following websites:
http://unitedmountaindefense.org/
http://www.mountainjustice.org/
http://dirtycoaltva.blogspot.com/
http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2008/dec/23/link-roundup-tva-disaster-roane-county-getting-wid/
The last link is an ongoing compilation of all relevant news articles. |
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| short trail? |
[Dec. 31st, 2008|01:07 pm] |
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Can anyone recommend a good short trail segment for a newbie about a week's worth of hiking or less? |
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| trail names |
[Dec. 27th, 2008|09:19 pm] |
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How does someone get a trail name? |
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| Follow Me - I Know The Way |
[Nov. 19th, 2008|08:08 pm] |
I have been silent for awhile. Now I’m back, and am bringing with me a whole new blog. If you ever found anything I’ve written in the past even mildly interesting, then I would be happy to have you follow me to the new blog: www.dolenteringenium.wordpress.com I hope you make the trip.
This is the only time I will post on LJ again, and obviously the last time I x-post anything. The new blog will be daily as much as possible, so I'd love to see all of you regularly.
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