Jones Gap Falls Loop (8.5 miles)
This loop was sort of an accident. As I said before, I’m trying to hike every foot of the Mountain Bridge Wilderness this winter. I’ve done much of it before, but this is a fun way for me to try … Continued
Shining Rock Wilderness Loop (24 miles)
I’ve been wanting to get in some big miles while the weather is unseasonably warm and sunny. I had plans in Asheville on Friday night, so I figured I’d just drive to a campsite afterward. That way I could hit … Continued
Caesars Head Loop
I think the hiking trails in the Mountain Bridge Wilderness compose the best trail system in all of South Carolina. There are many connectors allowing you to piece together loops of varying sizes. It’s my goal to hike every foot … Continued
Gear Review—My lightweight cook kit
Read more about my approach to cooking on backpacking trips, including meal prep, nutrition, gear, and post-hike impressions. As I’ve shaken down my gear over the past year, I’ve made several changes. Before I get into them, I should note … Continued
Gear Review—Knee Compression Sleeves
Over the past year, I’ve worked hard to get my body into shape, both physically and medically. I progressively increased my workload at the gym and out on the trail. I increased my endurance, my strength, and my enjoyment at … Continued
Rock Quarry Garden
Rock Quarry Garden is a beautiful, little park in downtown Greenville, South Carolina. Although I live right by it, it never dawned on me to blog about it until today. During spring and fall, the park is filled with photographers … Continued
Connestee Falls
Connestee Falls is a roadside attraction just south of Brevard, North Carolina. One of my guidebooks says that you used to be able to hike down to the cascade and the bottom of the falls, but now there’s only an … Continued
Gear Review—Marmot Kompressor Plus 20L Daypack
I bought the Marmot Kompressor Plus on a whim. I parked behind Mast General in downtown Asheville one day and decided to cut through the store. They were offering up to 25% off on 4 items, so I grabbed a … Continued
Gear Review—Hiking shirt & shorts
I’m a big believer in the layering system when it comes to clothing on the trail. I typically wear the same base layers every time I hike. I’ve tried several different pieces of clothing, but I’ve settled on the shirt … Continued
Gear Review—Anker PowerCore Portable Charger
People who don’t backpack often ask me if I take any tech into the field. We live in a world where our reliance on tech is only going to increase. A lot of people look at hiking as a way … Continued