Dream. Plan. Live.
The main side effect of Springer Fever is the overwhelming desire to hike the Appalachian Trail and most often a specific draw to Springer Mountain in Georgia. The draw to this one specific mountain is currently undetermined as it is hardly noteworthy. As the fever takes hold, individuals begin to look unkempt, have an uncontrollable stench, walk long distances without awareness of their surroundings, and have an increased appetite that is seemingly unending.
I was at the shop working a Saturday shift about a month ago. Sometimes we get busy and our back-of-house spaces miss out on the care we provide to the public spaces. One of those areas is our staff kitchen, specifically the fridge. I noticed the state it was in— random juices stuck to the shelves, unidentifiable items in the freezer. It was what you might call a tragedy of the commons.
When backpacking, whether it be one night or one hundred, the Big Three can make or break your trip. The big three entails a hiker’s tent, sleep system (sleeping bag and pad), and their backpack. Here is a brief rundown of the Big Three for my 2022 Southbound (SOBO) thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail.
Attempting to go lighter and branch out, I purchased the Katadyn Be Free filter. This is an ultralight, hollow fiber filter that screws onto any 42mm screw-top bottle
Lightweight, quick drying, and comfortable, the Rab Momentum Short is the perfect short for a summer of adventures. The elastic waistband and stretchy fabric provide supreme comfort, and the shorts are UPF protectant and water resistant. Rab’s Momentum Shorts come in five different color options and have two front pockets and a zippered back pocket. All this is available in one lightweight package at an affordable, wallet-friendly price. It might seem too good to be true, but it’s not.
The return from a trip is usually just as chaotic as the frenzied packing. Inevitably, we get home late at night with commitments the following morning. Post-trip cleanup simply doesn’t happen the way we intend. But take a step back from the bedlam, slow down, and think about how you care for your gear when the trails have been trekked and the rivers run. After all, properly cleaning and storing our equipment will keep it in prime condition for our next adventure. If you’ve thrown out the care guide for your latest investment, here’s what I recommend for post-trip cleanup and long-term care.
Join me as we explore how my experiences on long distance hikes have prepared me for the journey of fatherhood.
Most people are familiar with the United States’ various long trails, but did you know the trail system here was the inspiration for hiking trails all over the world? These are international thru-hikes ranging in length from 50 miles all the way to gargantuan 2,000 milers, both island-traversing long trails and age-old pilgrimages.
The idea to establish the Appalachian Trail was formulated in 1921. My idea to thru-hike the Appalachian Trail was in 2018, a brief 97 years later.
We’ve all experienced that sinking feeling when cold raindrops start to seep through our rain jacket. I thought this was waterproof? Why am I getting wet? What does waterproof even mean? Aren’t all rain jackets waterproof? If that’s the case, why are some ten times as expensive as others? The answer to each of those questions may be the same: hydrostatic head.
