It’s about more than pace. One of the most used phrases in the hiking community is hike your own hike. It basically means to go at your own pace and to experience the trail in your own way. For me, a plus-size backpacker, the phrase hike your own hike is about much more than keeping…
Tag: Appalachian Trail
New Year’s Resolution: Lose Weight – Scratch That.
Why weight-loss is not my New Year’s Resolution. This was the first New Year’s morning that I didn’t wake up, step on the scale, and confirm my #1 New Year’s resolution – to lose weight. In fact, losing weight is not on my New Year’s resolution list at all. Not even an honorable mention. Why?…
Georgia to Maine – Never the Same.
How I am mentally preparing for a 2,200 mile walk in the woods. Okay, its officially 2,197.4 miles. Piece of cake. I’ve been walking my whole life; this is just more of the same. As much as I try to make light of the situation, my inner self keeps saying “Shut up, you’re not funny….
Fluffy Folks on Mountains: The Quest for Plus-Size Gear.
When one thinks of a long-distance hiker, often the image of a bronzed, Patagonia-clad athlete with bulging quads comes to mind; perched no doubt on a rocky summit in the White Mountains. And that’s fair enough because that’s the image we’ve all been served. But in reality, my reality anyway, the muscles are more akin…
Lessons Learned On My First Backpacking Trip.
1. Make sure someone knows your plans! It’s not enough to announce, “I’m going off to hike the Appalachian Trail.”, unless of course you’re planning to hike the entire 2,198 miles of it. If you are planning a solo backpacking trip, it is crucial that someone knows where this adventure is to take place. When…
A Fluffy Folks Guide to Hiking in Georgia
The great outdoors can be awe-inspiring, stimulating our senses and challenging our bodies to push further and reach higher towards that next summit. But it can also cause us to gasp for oxygen and fret over whatever it was that just cracked in our lower back. If you are a member of the Fluffy Folks…
An Epic Journey to Len Foote Hike Inn
What is Len Foote Hike Inn? Len Foote Hike Inn is probably one of the most unique experiences the adventure traveler can have. Nestled high in the mountains of north Georgia, Len Foote Hike Inn is not your grandmother’s B&B. Unless, of course, your grandmother is Emma Gatewood. This totally cool and environmentally friendly place…