How to Combat Weight Loss on Appalachian and Pacific Crest Trails
“Dude, you should try some olive oil,” hiker after hiker commented to me. “Why olive oil?” “Because it has the highest amount of calories for its weight of any food.” Calorie vs. weight. In summation, that is one of the direct challenges that the majority of thru-hikers will face on the two great national scenic trails, the Appalachian Trail (AT) and Pacific Crest Trail (PCT). For those of you who have read my two trail narratives, Skywalker–Close Encounters on the Appalachian Trail, and especially...
read morePacific Crest Trail is the Ultimate ‘Live for the Moment’ Experience
I am currently reading, ‘The Power of Now’ by Eckhart Tolle. Many of you have probably read this bestseller by the expat German author. Tolle consistently harps on the need to rid ourselves of the ‘tyranny of the mind’, and focus instead on the glory of the present moment. What does he mean? And what about all the misfortunes we have suffered in the past and problems we face in the future. Tolle mentions peace, love, freedom, and equilibrium as things that should lift us up above all the baggage weighing us down....
read moreThru-Hikers Should Never Wear Boots on the Appalachian or Pacific Crest Trails
There was silence at the other end of the telephone. I was talking to Warren Doyle, a legendary name on the Appalachian Trail (AT). He has hiked the entire trail 16 times, which puts him at around 35,000 trail miles and counting. In fact, he has spent more miles on the trail than any other human. It was February, 2005. I was planning to attend his Appalachian Trail Institute class, in which he coaches aspiring thru-hikers on how to make it all the way from one end (Springer Mountain in north Georgia) of the AT to another (Mount Katahdin...
read morePacific Crest Trail Kickoff Party April 26th-28th. Essential for Thru-Hikers.
The annual Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) Kickoff will be held at Lake Morena County State Park, California on April 26-28, 2013. We know you’re anxious to register! In 2012, registration opened on March 17, and we were essentially full by March 21. They expect to be on a similar schedule this year. Yes, full in four days. And there’s a good reason why. This is one heckuva party. Any outdoorsperson would love soaking up all the energy in the air. And if you’re planning to thru-hike the Pacific Crest Trail, it is...
read moreAppalachian Trail Kickoff Event at Amicalola Falls
As most AT (Appalachian Trail) hikers know, Amicalola Falls is one of the names that resonates deep within the psyches of AT hikers. This is where the Appalachian Trail begins. To be perfectly concise, the AT begins at Springer Mountain, which is several miles further up on an approach trail (If you ask me, the AT should begin at Amicalola Falls). In any event, Amicalola Falls is the logical place to have a seasonal kickoff event for the great annual migration northward on the AT. All Appalachian Trail thru-hikers, from whatever year, vividly...
read moreSkywalker Discusses Subject of Romance on the Appalachian and Pacific Crest Trails
“His writing style is very good,” wrote Deborah. “But he seems a little sketchy. I would go out of my way to avoid hiking with a fool like him.” This was a a recent Amazon review for my trail narrative, Skywalker–Highs and Lows on the Pacific Crest Trail. First, let me say that I appreciate Deborah buying the book, as well as writing the review. And I certainly am happy that she described the writing style as ‘very good’. Finally, I sure as heck can’t fault her for calling me a fool! It...
read moreSkywalker–Close Encounters on the Appalachian Trail Receives 100th Amazon Review
Are book reviews important? You’re darn right they are–in their entirety. Yes, individual reviews can be overrated, to be sure. For example, I recently received a review that said my Appalachian Trail narrative, Skywalker–Close Encounters on the Appalachian Trail was, “Better than Bryson”. Of course, the reviewer was referring to the international bestseller, A Walk in the Woods, by renowned travel writer, Bill Bryson. That book has been out almost 15 years, yet still remains popular, due to Bryson’s...
read moreShould You Attempt to Thru-Hike the Appalachian and Pacific Crest Trails?
“To be or not to be. That is the question.” Of course, those words are famous to all of us with just a morsel of knowledge of the Bard. And it’s all in the realm of fantasy, except for a few select people around the globe. Especially us Americans, for whom suspicion of royalty runs through and through our very DNA. But several years ago, I faced a question of direct relevance. Upon reading Bill Bryson’s bestselling narrative, A Walk in the Woods, like so many people, I began to ask, ‘Hey, can I do...
read moreNorthbound is the Most Rewarding Way to Thru-Hike the Appalachian Trail
“Why go northbound?” many potential thru-hikers ask me. Good question. Approximately 15% of Appalachian Trail thru-hikers do choose to go southbound. But the rest walk from Springer Mountain in north Georgia to Mount Katahdin in northern Maine. Why? Some say it is because the first thru-hiker, Earl Shaffer, established the tradition of the northbound thru-hike in 1951. But surely there are more profound reasons that that. Personally, I like the way a northbound thru-hike develops. The average person requires approximately five...
read moreReader Calls Skywalker–Close Encounters on the Appalachian Trail “Better Than Bryson”
“Better than Bryson” was the Title of a Review I got for Skywalker–Close Encounters on the Appalachian Trail. My first reaction was I’m glad it was somebody that said that! But secondly, I am glad he did say it, just because of the relevant discussion it brings about. What this reader-reviewer was referring to, of course, was the iconic Appalachian Trail book, A Walk in the Woods, by renowned travel writer, Bill Bryson. Amongst that book’s devoted readers has been myself on two different occasions. I...
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