Trail Baking with a Foster's Pot, Caldera Cone, and Starlyte Stove

Demeter at the Halfway Point of the Appalachian Trail

Backpacking is a lot of different things to different people. Ask a dozen backpackers what makes them love the sport, and you will probably get a dozen vapid stares.  Maybe you will get a couple coherent answers :-)

To me, backpacking combines several of my favorite things.  Foremost is celebrating nature.  There is no problem that can't be solved after pounding the trail for an hour or two. Why does this happen? Who knows, but my theory: when you are on the trail, away from people and external stressors, you focus on simply living.

Another reason I love to backpack is how it strips away creature comforts, allowing me to live like a cavegirl (with the best down quilts and cuben fiber stuff money can buy). Hmmm, okay, a modern cavegirl with a few creature creature comforts :-) 

Trail Days: A Celebration of Appalachian Trail Hikers in Damascus, Virginia *with Video*

Annually, millions of people head to the woods to walk a portion of the Appalachian Trail, a 2,180 mile path winding its way through 14 states, from Georgia to Maine. Most visitors to the trail engage in day hiking or  multi-day backpacking trips. However, some people decide to hike the whole trail at one time, embarking on a feat called a "thru hike." (no, not a misspelling, as this is how many AT enthusiasts spell "through").

A Typical Appalachian Trail Road-Crossing Sign

Last year in 2013, three thousand hikers started either northbound from Springer Mountain, Georgia, or southbound from Mt. Katahdin, Maine. The hikers hope to reach the opposite end of the trail in 6 or 7 months, although a fraction of the hikers actually complete the entire trail in one try. This year about 600 hikers are expected to complete the trail in one calendar year.

Which Ground Meat is the Best Deal for Dehydrated Dinners?

I am thrilled to see that views on this blog just surpassed the 7,000 mark!!  I can't believe there are so many people on the blogosphere that enjoy reading about foraging, dehydrating foods, and eating healthier on the trail! Sharing my enthusiasm for the trail and eating well is my hobby and passion, and this is my creative outlet; pathetic, yes, but I can't sew or knit to save my life....

To celebrate,  I decide to have a little dehydrating fun, so off to the grocery store I go.

Which Meat do I buy to Dehydrate? 
Or For that Matter, the Best Bargain for Any Meal?

Wild Trail Foods Series : Wintergreen, Gaultheria, with Video

Winter is a great time to go skiing, snowshoe, or test the limits of your cold weather sleeping gear, but not such a great time to be a forager. The pickings are pretty slim in the winter months. Other than the occasional scraggly greens on the roadside, such as dandelion, cat's ear, or dock (and then usually at lower elevations), a forager has to endure five or six months of dreams of fresh greens and berries. Thankfully, wintergreen never fails to disappoint me when hiking the winter woods of Appalachia.

The Low Growing Wintergreen, with Edible Leaves and Berries

Winter Backpacking Gear List for the Very Cold Sleeper

Discussion forums are an incredible resource for the beginning backpacker.  I either participate or lurk on several different forums for years, notable Hammock Forums, Whiteblaze, and Backpacking Light, just to name a few. The information gleaned from more experienced backpackers is invaluable. Learning from the mistakes of those who have trod the forest before me!

Crossing a semi-frozen Seneca Creek in January; 0*F

Whenever contemplating a new piece of gear, the forums are the perfect place to find firsthand reviews.   Find hiking partners, ask about the "best" campsites on a specific trail, and (my fav) get some new recipes.  My husband appreciates the fact that I have meaningful discussions with other people and don't discuss backpacking or hiking with him morning, noon, and night. When talking about camping, what he hears is "blah, blah, blah."  Forums are the perfect place to hang out with "my people."

Pennsylvania's Black Forest Trail - Thrills, Chills, and Spills: A "Plan B" Backpacking Weekend on

Known as the "Grand Canyon of Pennsylvania," the Black Forest Trail (or BFT)  in the Tiadaghton State Forest in north central PA lies three hours south of the Great Lakes.  Blazed orange along its 42 miles, the BFT features about 8000' of elevation gain, lots of streams, and lovely views.  The trail also features rugged wilderness terrain, treacherous stream crossings, and bears.  The name supposedly comes from the dense coverage of hemlocks and pines that once prohibited full light from penetrating the trees, hence the "black" forest.

Hiking the entire trail at once meant we would have to hike 20 miles on Saturday in order to fit the trip in a weekend, not to mention a 12 hour round trip drive.  I know there are some very hardy souls who think 20-30 miles a day with a loaded pack is a blast, but when backpacking, I usually hit my "fun threshold" after about 14 miles.  The posting mentioned that I had never been on this trail, so a sense of humor and a great attitude was a prerequisite to RSVP for this hike.


Craig and Becky at the Trail head

The Mid-Atlantic Hikes Website (which is an amazing resource for backpacking and hiking trips in the area) outlined two different backpacking trips for the trail; the BFT North and the BFT South.  The northern route is the roughest with 5000' of elevation gain, but offers the best views.  The southern route is slightly less challenging with total elevation change of about 3500' up and down.

We originally planned to hike the northern circuit, but after some emails back and forth with someone who already hiked the trail, and who described the potential for a very hairy stream crossing over Slate Run during periods of high water, we opted for a southern circuit.  The total mileage would be about 23 miles, with a breakdown of seven to eight miles each day.

Being early spring in the mountains, and only three hours south of the Great Lakes,our group prepared for the worst, but still hoped we would have the warmer spring weather we craved.  The week prior to the hike, the weather report turned ominous; instead of 50* days and 35* nights, the outlook was

MLD Mountain Laurel Designs Gaiters Long-Term Review

I love these things. For anyone considering gaiters in general, or the MLD gaiters in particular, here is a video for you!  Please leave any comments regarding your thoughts here.  Happy Hiking :-)