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.
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
Big Agnes decided to try something completely new on this one; Build a tent with no zippers. This makes a lot of sense considering the zipper is usually the first point of failure on a tent. They get constant wear, and most people don’t clean them at all properly. Also, zippers are noisy, bulky, get … More Big Agnes Fishhook UL 2 Review
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
Backpacking isn’t all just climbing mountains, justling through the forests, and fighting bears off of your food bag. Backpacking does have its down times, hiding from storms under the safety net of your tent, or hanging out by the camp fire with your crew. This is where Hive comes in. What is it? Hive is … More Hive Pocket Review
This, can be terrifying. The sun is beaming down. You’re pushing hard to get in those last few miles before the evening begins to set in. You’ve done so well, eight miles in already. You’re on a roll. You’re focused, concentrating, and completely overlooking the fact that a few miles away a storm is rolling … More What to do when you are caught in a Lightning Storm
What I liked It’s light. It’s under 4 pounds, and considering the 2 doors and 2 vestibules, that’s pretty slick. It packs up like a pro, and it stays out of the way with the included tent sack. The price. $199 for a lightweight backpacking tent, I’m not complaining . Similarly weighted, dependable tents can … More L.L.Bean Microlight FS 2-Person Tent Review
Tonight was the night of the “super moon”. The night when the moon is closest, appeared largest, and was the brightest. For us, a typical backyard view wouldn’t suffice. Instead we opted for the less subtle approach. A mountain top view, neck deep in the clouds. A half mile in and our legs were already … More A Journey with the Moon. Looking Glass, North Carolina.
It’s not always easy you know. Organizing, planning, packing, it’s all simple enough; however without the proper thoughtfulness a strategic onslaught of nature can easily leave you bewildered, lost, annoyed, and even in serious trouble. With a few simple steps you can make sure you next trips (yes, that better be plural!) are not only safe, but … More How to plan a trip
TreeLineBackpacker 