backpacking Tag

I have a confession to make: I’ve been playing it safe. All along, I’ve known that I wasn’t living up to my true potential, and I was too afraid to change my situation. I was too afraid to leave my job: my fear of poverty and of being “irresponsible” was oppressively restricting. I was worried about what people would say – that I’m being silly, ridiculous and reckless. I was terrified of failure. These fears kept me trapped in...

“This above all, to thine own self be true.” — William Shakespeare One of the coolest things about being a part of an online community of adventurers is that I get to meet the most amazing people.  I wrote a message to friend the other day and these were my exact words in the message: It's funny, but I used to hate social media - I retreated from it for so long, but I am so grateful for it now and for the opportunity to connect with such...

“You better cut the pizza in four pieces, because I’m not hungry enough to eat six.” — Yogi Berra Packing for an overnight trip can be intimidating.  When I first started backpacking, I was a compulsive over-estimator of how much food I actually needed to bring.  I packed my food out of fear, and I was usually dismayed when I returned to the trailhead carrying an extra 2-3lbs of food that I didn't need. After nearly two decades of climbing and hiking and backpacking, I'd like to think that...

Confession:  I used to think that trekking poles were for old people.  I incorrectly assumed that the only reason that people needed poles for hiking was to compensate for their lack of fitness and ability.  I thought of them as, "crutches for the weak".  I saw myself as the ideal specimen of hiker:  the speed of a gazelle, with the stability and surefootedness of a mountain goat - surely I didn't need the help of overpriced carbon-fiber sticks. I was wrong. So, so wrong. My very first backpacking...

“And thou shalt in thy daughter see, This picture, once, resembled thee. ” — Ambrose Philips I run an adventure-inspired group on Facebook, and one of the things I like to do is to feature one member in the group each week.  I genuinely believe in the power of community, and I cannot imagine a more positive, supportive community than a group of wilderness-loving adventurers.  My mom happens to be a member of this group, and this past week, I asked her to be the featured member.  I honestly...