Take a look at this: http://www.independent.co.uk/travel/news-and-advice/walking-the-appalachian-pacific-crest-trail-hiking-picking-up-trash-litter-rubbish-packing-it-out-a7477931.html

These two hikers are doing a tremendous service. With all the turmoil in our world, it is good to see two members of the hiking community doing something decent and positive.

During my long-distance hikes, I’ve picked up some trail-side and campsite trash, but honestly admit that I ignore most of it. I’ll try to do better. Wouldn’t it be nice if all hikers packed out their own trash? That’s what hikers and campers should do. Every time. All the time.

Hats off to hikers Seth Orme and Paul Twedt.

The Long Trail–Vermont

Mt. Katahdin-Maine

Now is the time when many hikers are planning a thru-hike of the A.T. It’s a heady experience, but I’m reminded of this newspaper article about hikers  overcrowding the Appalachian Trail  I’ve been hearing a lot about this in recent years and, in the south, in spring, it appears to be true. Young people like to socialize and, more than any other long-distance trail in the US, the Appalachian is the trail to meet others and make new friends.

When I thru-hiked the A.T. in 2003, it was crowded then, I thought. The shelters up to Damascus, VA were nearly always full. And many hikers, especially in Georgia and North Carolina, would set up under overhanging roofs to the sides and even in front of shelters. I can remember being in one shelter where we were packed inside like sardines. After that night, I tented, unless I was fortunate enough to arrive early and get a spot next to a wall where I could hang a few things and get a bit more privacy.

So, I can imagine how crowded it must be now. Added to this, the article tells of large gathered groups of hikers summiting Mt. Katahdin en masse, the northern terminus in Baxter State Park. The hikers stray outside the trail corridor into sensitive habitat. I’m sure this is happening on other parts of the trail. I’ve been hearing accounts of more litter simply left by hikers on the A.T. and, sadly, of larger groups drinking to excess and using recreational drugs.

I’m not sure what the answer is to this increased usage of the A.T. The article speaks to the issues and poses a few possible solutions. I’ll leave it at that.

Appalachian Trail marker–Georgia

Yosemite Maintenance on the Pacific Crest Trail

CDT New Mexico

If you are a long-distance hiker, you are probably aware of hiking’s triple crown. The triple crown comprises the Appalachian, the Pacific Crest trail, and the Continental Divide Trail.

I started in the boot heel of New Mexico, at the border near Antelope Wells. It was mid May. It was hot and water was scarce. By the  time I finished New Mexico, I was well behind in my expectations and knew I would have trouble finishing if I didn’t step up the pace. I wasn’t able too. I did Colorado but had to skip a lot in Wyoming, and I did little in Montana. By that time, it was too cold and snowy for me, and I got out.

I have great memories of the CDT. New Mexico was neat and Colorado was impressive–especially Rocky Mountain National Park. If I had it to do over again, in my quest for a triple crown I would do three things: Bring a GPS for the CDT and the PCT, hike with a friend on the CDT at least. Two heads are better than one and tasks can be shared. Finally, I would do the CDT after the AT and save the PCT (for me, the easiest and most scenic) for last.

Carry on fellow hikers!

http://billingsgazette.com/lifestyles/recreation/oregon-hiker-completes-triple-crown-appalachian-pacific-crest-and-continental/article_b99b1191-0d17-59a2-8452-0220ae92aa51.html

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1209285419150845&set=a.476176489128412.1073741826.100002081965528&type=3&theater

Yet again, a hiker has thru-hiked all three trails of the triple crown in one year. Jeff Garmire, of Vancouver, Oregon, has just completed the Appalachian Trail, the Pacific Crest Trail, and the Continental Divide Trail, all in 2016. That’s a total of almost 8000 miles! So far as I know, only three or four other hikers have accomplished this amazing feat.

How it is possible to hike every foot of these three trails in one year is beyond me–I could never do it. Being young helps, of course, but a lot of luck is involved. Snow, ice, (that’s Randy Rebo Berton at Kearsarge Pass on the PCT) forest fires, sickness, injury, are just some of the factors here. The biggest factor, I think, is the motivation to press on.

Congratulations, Mr. Garmire! And, hats off to all others who have accomplished hiking’s triple crown in any time frame.

http://ychikingclass.wordpress.com/canyoneering/

I’ve been hearing more and more about canyoneering. If you click above, you will see some exciting pictures, compliments of Verde Valley Hikers.

One of the definitions of canyoneering is: The sport of exploring canyons by rafting, rappelling, and waterfall jumping. I would also add hiking, for how else do you get to these isolated canyons? To me it all sounds a bit dangerous, especially the waterfall jumping. But if you have good information and good maps and have several experienced outdoors-people with you, I’m sure this sport must be exciting.

In Europe, the “intense sport of canyoneering” is known as the “extreme game” with the added activities of climbing, scrambling, and swimming.

Here are several websites providing more information and pictures. Happy trails!

http://www.zionadventures.com/zion-park-tours/trips/

http://www.canyoneering.net/

http://www.thecenterfocus.com/canyoneering.html