Man Arrested in Connection With Apparent Machete Attack on the Appalachian Trail in Virginia A murder has happened on the Appalachian Trail. News reports are saying that a pair of hikers were attacked by a man wielding a large knife or Machete while hiking the AT in the backwoods of Virginia. One of the two was killed; the other escaped […]
Waterfalled and Waterlogged: Dark Hollow Falls and the AT
The Great Shenandoah Trip Part II During the first night of our trip to the Shenandoah NP it rained. Quite intensely. Brian has been through several terrible storms in his tent, the worst probably being an absolutely petrifying thunderstorm in Canyonlands NP in 2007 or so. This night was no where near as bad as that one, but it was […]
AT Thru Hike Season Gets Underway!
Spring has arrived! And for those who wish to try their luck at completing the entire Appalachian Trail – the celebrated 2192 mile white blazed Footpath that links Springer Mountain, Georgia with Maine’s Mount Katahdin – Late March/early April is typically the time that most will set out. Winter has not yet left the Southern Appalachians by any means, but […]
Fabulous Fitzroy’s First Big Adventure!
Cashiers and Highlands, NC: Part I Having successfully completed our inaugural hike with new team member Fitz Roy, we decided that it’s time to take him out to the mountains to see how he does on real trails. Fitz is of course part Shiba Inu…a type of dog specially bred for hunting in mountainous conditions in rugged central Japan. The […]
Standing Indian Loop Video
The Standing Indian Loop Hike via the AT In our newest video we hike the Standing Indian Loop in western NC…a very popular 3 day backpacking trip. It is one of the very few places where a long loop hike involving the AT is even possible without a great deal of logistical complication. It’s also a great option for anyone […]
Another Blockbuster Movie!
By popular demand we have a NEW HIKING VIDEO… The Mt. Cammerer Hike, Great Smoky Mountains National Park! This is an 11 mile out and back to Mount Cammerer and its unusual fire tower — our favorite single viewpoint in the Smoky Mountains, and quite a challenging hike. Don’t miss our trip report! And while you are at it, check […]
Hike the High Country
The Grayson Highlands, VA *We hiked the Grayson Highlands in April 2014 over a period of two consecutive days, first starting from the Mount Rogers Trailhead and later from Massie Gap in Grayson Highlands State Park. We covered a variety of trails on these hikes and saw virtually every part of the highlands, excepting the treed-in summit of Mt. Rogers […]
Damascus VA: Adventures In Trail Town, USA
Grayson Highlands and the Virginia Creeper Trail *Sylvia and I visited Damascus VA and vicinity in April 2014. Some things may have changed since so please check with the locals before heading out. But you will NOT be disappointed is all we can say. Located in the very far southwestern corner of Virginia is the town of Damascus. It is […]
Gravitating Towards a Better Filtration System
Gear Review: The Sawyer One Gallon Gravity Assisted Water Filtration System *Note that BecauseItzThere receives NO compensation of any kind from any outfitter. The products you see reviewed here are purchased with our own funds and objectively reviewed under field conditions.* Our recent multi-day hike of the Standing Indian Loop forced me to re-think an old problem that I had […]
The Downhill Run
The Standing Indian Loop, Day III We emerged from our tent on the last day surprised to find that the shelter and campground were almost empty. The early departure of the hikers did not surprise me – Thru hikers have their miles to bag and therefore are used to getting an early start. What did surprise me is how quietly […]