Section Hiking the Appalachian Trail

In the which our would be section hiker works through answers for the following three questions:  how much food should one bring on a hike?  What are the characteristics of food one should bring? What kind of ways do we have to prepare food, once we have brought it with us?  Look forward to feedback and comments on the episode -- thanks for listening Links: National Park Service Ins...

In the which our host refreshes himself on the skills associated with navigation in the woods as he prepares for his initial section hike of the Appalachian Trail.  Lots to remember but really hopes he won't get lost and... as his daughter is won't to remind him -- potentially perish.   Links: Earl Shafffer, the First Thru-Hiker of the AT, Embodied the Trail’s Soul https://www.adventure-...

In the which we discuss the keys to having respect for the trail reviewing leave no trace principles and see whether Aretha Franklin's song has anything to do with it.... which it doesn't, really.  But it is a nice metaphor, sort of, well, not really, for what leave no trace principles are all about -- especially as the AT and other long trails become more and more popular.    

In the which our intrepid traveller begins to figure out what first aid items are needed for a 10-day backpacking trip.  In an ideal world, I would have done additional editing on this episode.  Apologies now.  

In the which we enter into the highly contentious world of personal hygiene when backpacking. Turns out this matter is something many have strong opinions about. Some of those opinions have merit while others do not... How to poop in the woods by Andrew Skurka Purell Examples of soap/wash suds at REI  Dr. Bronners soap The Deuce Joshua Tree Foot Balm Badger Foot Balm Minimizing effect of mace...

Outlining all the skills, but what's funny is that if you google search backpacking skills, you always end up with a list of gear to bring on a hike with you...  Here are some of the skills we hope to address in coming episodes: Wilderness focused First aid:  Common issues in the backcountry, the goals for treating them and what to carry. Personal hygiene – how to stay clean. Specific fo...

In this episode we discuss the 3 different types of fun! type 1, type 2, and type 3... and then how physical and mental preparation for the hike assists in achieving that fun.   Physical preparation links:  Backpacking Light Podcast Notes for Episode 14: https://backpackinglight.com/podcast-014-training-for-backpacking/ Summit Strength: https://www.summitstrength.com.au trailsidefitness....

What is the plan?  Well, here it goes.  The idea is to leave Harpers Ferry the morning of April 24th, hiking to Waynesboro, VA at the bottom of the Shenandoah National Park by May 3rd.  There are 34 established camp sites and if I'm able to put my preparation into practice I will be able to make my mark and stay at some of them while camping in dispersed backpacking camping location...

In this episode, I discuss my history with hiking and backpacking, discuss my philosophy surrounding section hiking, and get into some of the things that we will discuss in later episodes.  There are some mistakes here but we'll get better as we move forward on future episodes!

Hey, I'm a guy who can't get away for 6 months to a year to do a thru hike on a long trail.  But I do have time to take a week here or there to do a section hike.  So I'm going to section hike the Appalachian Trail.  Let's talk about what it takes to plan a great hike, then go out and hit the trail.  We are sponsored by the Committee to Restore America's National Parks, a advoc...