Category: Lists

Ziploc bags, or how not to run out of food

6 steps for hungry, hungry hikers

There were three different days on the Appalachian Trail when I ran out of food. After implementing my Ziploc system, it didn’t happen again.

When I started my trek, I had all my food crammed into my bear bag. It wasn’t sorted or organized in any way, but I knew the food I had: two boxes of poptarts, 12 packets of cheese crackers, five Knorr pasta sides, etc. I carefully wrote down the things I needed for resupply on a list, and purchased those items plus anything that caught my eye in the store (looking at you, gummy bears). I had enough food to get me to the next resupply, all nicely removed from the original box packaging and crammed into that 18L dry bag.

I still ran out of food.  Continue reading “Ziploc bags, or how not to run out of food”

First trail run of 2018

Humility, mud, and what I wore

For the first day in what seems like forever, the weather got into the high 50s/low 60s and the sun was shining. It was a perfect Saturday morning. I went trail running at Percy Warner, a route I’ve done many times, but this time was different: I ran my slowest time ever.  Continue reading “First trail run of 2018”

8 Reasons to hike El Camino this spring

Hike The Way in May!!!

I know winter is just beginning, but it’s the perfect time to start planning your el Camino hike! May is a lovely time to go, and this gives you a few months to plan the month off work or post-semester trip you desperately need.

Here are 8 reasons to hike the el Camino de Santiago (as if you needed convincing)…  Continue reading “8 Reasons to hike El Camino this spring”

List: Books to feed your wanderlust

“The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page.” – Augustine of Hippo

Reading is one of my favorite pastimes, and has been since I can remember. Even as a “busy adult” I still read a book each week. I love all genres, and often read a blend of things at once. [Right now it’s “The Happiness Project” (Rubin), “The Primal Connection” (Sission), and “This is How You Lose Her” (Díaz).]

There are thousands of good books out there on travel, adventure, the wilderness, and wandering. I wanted to share some of my favorite novels for stirring up wanderlust, books I love to read curled up in front of my wood-burning stove or cuddled in my sleeping bag in my tent.

I’d love to hear about some of your favorite books that inspire wanderlust. Leave a comment on this blog, or on this post on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter, and I’d love to read and discuss with you! Continue reading “List: Books to feed your wanderlust”

List: 5 reckless mistakes to avoid

If you do these, you’re gonna have a bad time.

In honor of the Red Bull Flugtag in Nashville this weekend, I wanted to share five reckless mistakes that can be avoided while you’re having fun outdoors. While none of these are launching homemade, human-powered flying machines off a pier about 30 ft/9 m high into the Cumberland River, they are just as reckless.

[Side note: my boyfriend is the pilot for the Vanderbilt LifeFlight flugtag team, so cheer them on for the popular vote today by using the #votevandylifeflight and #redbullflugtag hashtags on all your social media. Each mention is one point to their overall goal of winning and supporting the Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt!]  Continue reading “List: 5 reckless mistakes to avoid”