mrjosephmefford - Tumblr blog

[mrjosephmefford]

Dosu’s Storm before the Storm.

I’m sitting here in a Tuscon, Arizona Dunkin Donuts drinking a liter of iced coffee, thinking about getting a second one. I quit my job about 5 weeks ago, it’s very liberating and I completely recommend you quit yours too. On Saturday morning I’ll be getting dropped off at the Mexico-New Mexico border to start my Thru-Hike of the CDT. Typically, like most, I have always worked or prepared for my Thru-Hike right up until the time I leave for it. ...

The post Dosu’s Storm before the Storm. appeared first on The Trek.

from The Trek http://bit.ly/2J8hsk4

[mrjosephmefford]

As we left the border, five of us, a group of hiking vets, we expected to quickly find our hiking grooves. This proved to be true for the first bit of trail which was well packed and well blazed. We happily passed the first miles chatting and observing nature, not worried too much on our footing. We soon realized that this would not always be the case. By mid afternoon I found myself dodging cacti and narrowly missing the ocotillo branches that were hidden by my sun umbrella. ...

The post appeared first on The Trek.

from The Trek http://bit.ly/2JaHJyj

[mrjosephmefford]

Caitie C’s AT 2019 vlog #1: Intro

In this video I cover the first 100 miles of the AT and discuss why I am hiking. Follow my hike on YouTube. ...

The post Caitie C’s AT 2019 vlog #1: Intro appeared first on The Trek.

from The Trek http://bit.ly/2DJABFA

[mrjosephmefford]

Scout’s 2019 PCT Vlog (#1): An Introduction

I’m excited to be here as a new Vlogger for The Trek and to share with you my upcoming PCT thru-hike! In this video I discuss my 2016 AT attempt, my completed 2017 AT thru-hike, and why I am hiking. Follow my hike on YouTube and check out the other Trek Vloggers too. ...

The post Scout’s 2019 PCT Vlog (#1): An Introduction appeared first on The Trek.

from The Trek http://bit.ly/2Wf2jRI

[mrjosephmefford]

Fireball’s AT Updates #2 – Days 1-3 Springer to Neel Gap

In this video update I land at the Atlanta airport and have a rainy welcome to my AT hike. I escape the storm at a motorcycle inn with some fellow hikers and then make it to the top of Blood Mountain and ultimately Neel Gap. Follow my hike on YouTube and Instagram. ...

The post Fireball’s AT Updates #2 – Days 1-3 Springer to Neel Gap appeared first on The Trek.

from The Trek http://bit.ly/2DIvpSo

[mrjosephmefford]

Days 0-5 on the PCT: Campo to Julian

Day 0 – Mile 0.0 Finally made it to Day 0 after 2 long weeks of waiting! We flew out to San Francisco on Wednesday night. I had spent way too much time on the internet reading about people’s backpacks getting lost by the airline so I was mega stressed when I didn’t see it at the baggage claim. Since I had wrapped my backpack in a plastic bag, they had put it with the oversize baggage, ...

The post Days 0-5 on the PCT: Campo to Julian appeared first on The Trek.

from The Trek http://bit.ly/2Vb6PnY

[mrjosephmefford]

Surviving a Stroke in the Backcountry: Hiker Recalls Near-Fatal Nightmare

Any backpacker who has spent an extended period of time in the backcountry has experienced the paranoia-drenched questions that come when you talk about backpacking to anyone who isn’t a backpacker. Bears. Snakes. Hypothermia. Serial killers. All legitimate concerns to anyone who doesn’t have a couple hundred miles under their belt. But Troy Hamilton Burker experienced something even the idea of which would turn the most experienced backpacker’s stomach into an icy pit of terror. In the summer of 2018, ...

The post Surviving a Stroke in the Backcountry: Hiker Recalls Near-Fatal Nightmare appeared first on The Trek.

from The Trek http://bit.ly/2vvIYQx

[mrjosephmefford]

Trail Numbers: What’s With All the Math?

I recall that my primary education math teacher always said how there’s so much math in nature. Patterns, physics, angles, distance, and Fibonacci.  I suppose I just didn’t realize how much math was involved in thru hiking.  I use basic math every… single… day.  Planning not only for this week,  but possibly part of the next in order to arrange a resupply package and how much food I might need in it.  Pay close attention ladies and gents,  ...

The post Trail Numbers: What’s With All the Math? appeared first on The Trek.

from The Trek http://bit.ly/2WgdQQB

[mrjosephmefford]

Gila National Forest: Water and Trees

The landscape has changed dramatically since the first hundred miles. Trees and mountains have appeared and hints at what’s to come. Reached the Gila River and made it to Doc Campbell’s Post for the first resupply out of Silver City. Here’s how the hike has been going. Day 6 (cont.) After the cafe I moved to the University where Trail Days was hosting talks. Sat in on a talk about the Oregon Desert Trail, which seemed to focus on the more remote aspects of trail experience. ...

The post Gila National Forest: Water and Trees appeared first on The Trek.

from The Trek http://bit.ly/2ISUuhJ

[mrjosephmefford]

How to Choose Your Stove and Water Purification for the Pacific Crest Trail

Aside from shelters and sleep systems on the PCT, you’ll need to eat and drink. In this post, we’ll cover stove and cookware choices, as well as water treatment options for a Pacific Crest Trail thru-hike. Choosing Your Stove for the PCT Going stoveless isn’t unheard of on the PCT. The desert days are hot, thus cooked food is not missed as much. Hot food requires water to boil, and you won’t always have water to spare. ...

The post How to Choose Your Stove and Water Purification for the Pacific Crest Trail appeared first on The Trek.

from The Trek http://bit.ly/2GOefDG

[mrjosephmefford]

Never Trust a Fart and Other Nero Activities: Long Trail Day 12

I groggily stir awake to the sound of rain on the shelter roof and the feeling of dampness. I open one eye and glance towards my feet to see rain slanting in through the shelter opening. My feet reflexively cringe inwards, away from my soggy sleeping bag. Noooooooo, I think, this will NEVER dry. I think I would rather deal with curious bears than wet gear. BUT THEN I REMEMBER WE’RE GOING TO TOWN TODAY!!! It doesn’t matter how much it rains, ...

The post Never Trust a Fart and Other Nero Activities: Long Trail Day 12 appeared first on The Trek.

from The Trek http://bit.ly/2GWt5cv

[mrjosephmefford]

Chaunce’s AT Vlog #11: Erwin – Hampton

In this video we hike from from Erwin to Hampton (mile 343.9 – 419.6). Easy decides to taunt the weather and we end up hiking through more snow. We stay at Greasy Creek Friendly Hostel to avoid another cold snap and make a few new friends, stay at Overmountain Shelter, and stop at The Station at 19E to see our friend Akela play live music! Check out my gear list here. You can keep up with my playlist on YouTube. ...

The post Chaunce’s AT Vlog #11: Erwin – Hampton appeared first on The Trek.

from The Trek http://bit.ly/2WoUicQ

[mrjosephmefford]

Campo to Idyllwild: Days 1-12

We have not been out here quite two weeks, and we have not hiked even 200 miles, but the PCT has already dealt its share of ups and downs.  The PCT is a funny trail. After the first hundred miles, it will have you pretty well convinced that the only challenge you will experience on it is water, and that in a wet year like this you really won’t have to even worry much about that. ...

The post Campo to Idyllwild: Days 1-12 appeared first on The Trek.

from The Trek http://bit.ly/2J88Wl5

[mrjosephmefford]

Single Track and Thunder in the Burro Mountains

On the way out of Lordsburg, Josh and I loaded up on water at Saucedo’s Grocery, then made a stop at the post office. At 11 am we headed into the hot flats leading up to the Burro Mountains. We followed three bobbing umbrellas in the distance, along the highway, and then into the slow growing foothills. It turned out to be three siblings hiking together. We leapfrogged with them  from sign to sign. Our feet were sprouting hot spots and we had to keep stopping for shoes-off breaks and new tape jobs. ...

The post Single Track and Thunder in the Burro Mountains appeared first on The Trek.

from The Trek http://bit.ly/2GWptr2

[mrjosephmefford]

Gear Review: Mountainsmith Zerk 40L Fastpack

The Zerk 40L Fastpack is a brand new pack from Mountainsmith designed in conjunction with backpacking athlete Tom Gathman, aka the Real Hiking Viking. It was built for a Fastest Known Time (FKT) attempt of the Colorado Trail, so it is made to comfortably and efficiently carry weight in a speedy manner. It has thick padded shoulder straps that allow it to carry almost like a running vest and is covered in accessible pockets so that you don’t have to take the pack off to get your hands on anything you may need in a day of hiking. ...

The post Gear Review: Mountainsmith Zerk 40L Fastpack appeared first on The Trek.

from The Trek http://bit.ly/2vwj1Am

[mrjosephmefford]

Top of Georgia Hostel on AT Closing for Rest of 2019

Top of Georgia Hiking Center, an Appalachian Trail icon for years, will close Wednesday, May 1, until Jan. 1 for what owner Bob called a break to determine whether he will continue with an “old-school hostel that seeks to educate.” The announcement was posted on the center’s Facebook page and website Tuesday, April 30, after multiple online reports that the hostel in Hiawassee, GA, would be closing. “TOG is closed from 5/1/19 until we RE-OPEN ON 1/1/20,” according to Top of Georgia’s Facebook page. ...

The post Top of Georgia Hostel on AT Closing for Rest of 2019 appeared first on The Trek.

from The Trek http://bit.ly/2GTHtlE

[mrjosephmefford]

Day 23: Nary a Moist Footsie in Sight

Day 23 22.3 It is cold this morning, so I pull out my tiny stove and make my last packet of bulletproof coffee. I found the pouches under the bridge in Cabazon, and it’s been a real treat. Things only thru-hikers and hobos can say, amiright? For breakfast I decided to give a protein cookie one more try, after being wholly disheartened by the chocolate and peanut butter flavors. But today I am pleasantly surprised by Snicker doodle. ...

The post Day 23: Nary a Moist Footsie in Sight appeared first on The Trek.

from The Trek http://bit.ly/2IT18UU