Buffalo Mountain is one of those beautiful oddities. Right in the middle of 3 cities, stands this tall gorgeous mountain of forest and wildlife. Surrounding it, lies buildings, shopping malls, restaurants, and industry. However, on the mountain this all melts away. Within minutes of shopping you can have hiking, creeks, wildlife, and solitude. It’s a … More Buffalo Mountain, Johnson City, Tennessee.
I’m am always happy to see how many people hit the trials with their closest companion, their dog. Dogs are a great hiking partner. They go wherever you go, and they are always close by your side. They won’t bail on you when the weather gets rough, and they’ll never nag you about that wrong … More Mans Best Friend. Tips for hiking with your dog.
This past weekend, myself and a few of my friends set out on a 2 night camping trip to Stone Mountain, North Carolina. This park offers it all. Vistas, rock formations, stream crossings, cascades, waterfalls, wildlife, and much more. Instead of the heavy drumming of pack laden feet, I decided it was time for a … More Stone Mountain, Nc
Fall is coming! The leaves are changing, and the temperatures are dropping. I’m always amazed at how unprepared newcomers are when the accompany me on a hike, especially in cold or cool weather. Always plan for the worst, because that’s the only time you’ll need anything. I’ve comprised a list of the basics that I … More Cool Weather Dayhike Pack List
No one ever plans to get lost in the woods. How hard can it be, just walk on the trail, don’t go off of it, and you’ll be fine. Not true. You’d be surprised how easy it is to get lost. You can take a wrong turn, miss a turn, or not realize there was … More What to do when you’re lost
It’s not as easy as you think, especially when you’re on a long trip and a water source you were relying on turns up dry. Don’t panic, with a little thought and consideration you can still make it out without having to drink your own pee. Bring the right amount of water: So often people … More Staying hydrated
Grandfather mountain is only about an hour from where I live, which makes the fact that I have only visited the mountain once previously utterly absurd. To correct my act of trail blasphemy, I decided to host a hike to one of the famous peaks, Calloways Peak, on one of the less famous trails, the … More Grandfather Mountain, North Carolina, Daniel boone Scout trail.
I can’t cover this topic enough, and honestly, I’m almost ashamed that I haven’t covered it before. I adore the outdoors, the plants, the animals, the geology. It’s all amazing, and it’s all amazingly fragile. As outdoor enthusiast, we have a responsibility to help care for what we love. Humans have the incredible ability to … More Leave No Trace. What it means, and why it matters.
It’s no secret that the temperatures high up in the mountains will be lower than that in the valleys. Have you ever set off on a warm summer hike to find the temps at the peak in the 50’s or worse? Avoid these surprises by knowing how to calculate the temperature loss as you climb. … More Calculate temperature change with elevation
I recently had the chance to do some backpacking in the Big Laurel Branch Wilderness. The area is just over 6,000 acres of wilderness situated just above the Watauga Lake in eastern Tennessee. This area is home to an abundance of black bear, fox, deer, and much more. The Appalachian Trail cuts right through the … More Big Laurel Branch Wilderness
TreeLineBackpacker 