Hiking the Appalachian Trail in the winter

by Kraig Becker on

We’ve mentioned the Appalachian Trail on more than one occasion here on Gadling. Stretching from Maine to Georgia, the AT is one of the most iconic trails anywhere in the world, and each year thousands of backpackers flock to it to hike some or all of its 2178 mile length. Most go in the summer months, when the weather is more predictable and comfortable. But according to this story from the Times Online, an increasing number of trekkers are taking on the trail in the winter as well.

In the story, the author and a friend take on a section of the trail that passes through Connecticut in the dead of winter. Over the course of three days they hiked in quiet solitude with a blanket of snow in all directions. At first, the weather was comfortable enough, with temperatures in the upper 30’s Fahrenheit, but when night fell, it dropped into the 20’s, and later a cold snap set in, with daytime highs not even breaking out of the teens.

Winter camping can be a challenge in the best of conditions, and proper gear is of the utmost importance. These two intrepid hikers came well equipped, but still struggled on their adventure, mainly because the snow made if difficult to find the trail at times, which can be a bit scary considering the implications of getting lost in the mountains with freezing conditions.

It is difficult to think about hiking the Appalachian Trail in winter when the heat of August is still with us. But for those looking to experience the trail in a very different way, this may be just what they are looking for. The colder months bring a new set of challenges of course, but traffic on the trail is practically non-existent, and the winter setting offers up a different level of beauty.

Sierra Club launches a wiki for trails

by Kraig Becker on

Hikers, backpackers, and other outdoor enthusiasts in general now have a new tool at their disposal thanks to the Sierra Club. Late last week, the organization that has promoted outdoor adventure for more than 110 years, launched a new website called Sierra Club Trails that aims to become the online resource for the best hiking, biking, and paddling trails across the United States.

The new trails site follows the popular “wiki” model for generating content by having users contribute their knowledge and experience, and in the process, an online community is built with the idea of sharing that information. Users create an online profile and login, which gives them access to the Sierra Club’s tools for creating content on their favorite places to hike, including general information about the trail conditions, directions to the trailhead itself, and some thoughts on the difficulty level that hikers can expect. Best of all, using that wiki approach, the information can be easily edited and updated as it changes over time.

The Sierra Club is excited about building and utilizing this online community and to that end they’ve inclued some other resources to encourage hikers, mountain bikers, and paddlers to interact with one another online. They’ve built a set of forums for discussing various topics such as gear, trail food, and other outdoor hobbies. There is also a page dedicated to upcoming events, and another for sharing trail lore on a variety of subjects.

For now, Sierra Club Trails has been launched in beta format, while content is being filled in and users join the fun. But there are already a number of great trails in the wiki database, with more being added on a daily basis. You can add your favorite hiking, biking, and paddling trails by heading over to the site, createing a profile and sharing the places that are special for you.

Beating the recession on the Appalachian Trail

by Kraig Becker on

Yesterday we introduced you to one of the world’s classic treks in the from of The Appalachian Trail. Turns out you might not have needed in introduction at all, as according to NPR, many Americans are heading to the AT to beat the recession.

According to the story, a number of hikers who have lost their jobs, have decided to take advantage of their time off, and spend some extended time on the AT. The more adventurous are even electing to thru-hike the entire 2175 mile length, which generally takes anywhere from five to seven months to complete.

Some of the hikers that NPR spoke to saw the loss of their jobs as an opportunity to do something that they might not have the chance to do later on in life. Most are young, still in their 20’s, and don’t quite have the responsibilities that will come as they get older, such as families, a mortgage, or well established careers. They’re focusing on the long distance hike with the hope that when they are finished, and they return to civilization, the economy will be showing signs of recovery.

The Appalachian Trail Conservancy website estimates that it will cost somewhere between $3000-$5000 to hike the entire length of the trail, which runs from Maine to Georgia, crossing a total of 14 states in the process. Most of that is spent when hikers leave the trail behind and return to town, where they tend to splurge on hotels and restaurants. While that is a large chunk of change to spend on a single trip in the middle of an economic downturn, overall that’s a fairly inexpensive trip considering the length.

So, if you’ve found that you have a little extra time on your hands, and some severance pay burning a hole in your pocket, maybe you should consider taking on the AT or some other extended adventure. After all, the economy is going to turn around at some point, and when it does, we’re going to be expected to go back to work!

Classic Treks: The Appalachian Trail

by Kraig Becker on

The Appalachian Trail has been mentioned in the news quite a bit in the past week or so, thanks to a certain governor who managed to hike it all the way to Argentina. While “Hiking the AT” may yet become a sexual euphemism due to this recent scandal, for years the trail has been one of the best long distance treks in North America, if not the entire world.

The Appalachian Trail was first conceived back in 1921, with construction being completed in 1937. In 1968 it was designated as the United States’ first national scenic trail, cementing its status as the top trail in the country. Stretching more than 2,175 miles in length, the trail crosses 14 states, running from Maine to Georgia, and while it does pass through six national parks, it doesn’t wander anywhere close to Argentina.

According to the Appalachian Trail Conservancy website, more than 10,000 people have taken the estimated 5 million footsteps it takes to hike the entire length of the trail. Many of them have done it over the course of a number of years, breaking it into sections, and tackling various lengths as their time allows. A few have thru-hiked the entire trail however, going non-stop across its vast length, stopping in towns along the way to resupply before heading out to the backcountry once again. Typically it takes about six months to finish the entire length of the AT, with some starting in the spring in Georgia and heading north, and others getting underway in the summer in Maine, and moving south.

The Appalchian Trail falls within a days ride of 2/3rds of the American population, and 4 million of us head out on the “foot path” every year. The AT offers everything from great day hikes to months long adventures, serving up spectacular views and stunning vistas across its length. Hikers will also encounter plenty of wildlife as well, with moose, dear, elk, and even black bear making regular appearances through out its length.

With its rich diversity, ease of access, and amazing length, the Appalachian Trail has something to offer just about everyone. Whether you are a bird watcher looking to kill a few hours in the woods or a hardcore backpacker with the desire to add your name to the list of those who have conqured all 2000+ miles, this classic trek has something for you. Even armchair adventurers can can get in on the fun by picking up Bill Bryson’s classic book A Walk in the Woods. America’s first scenic trail, remains its greatest, even if it has gained a bit of noteriety.

Five national parks to hit this weekend

by Kraig Becker on

Yesterday we mentioned that the National Park Service has waived all entry fees to every national park this weekend, and while that may increase the crowds in places like Yellowstone and Yosemite, there are still plenty of great parks that you can visit that will remain quiet. Here are five suggestions on where to take dad this weekend and still avoid the crowds.

Badlands National Park, South Dakota
Located in the southwest corner of South Dakota, Badlands National Park offers spectacular scenery and a surprising array of activities to keep you occupied. The windswept landscapes range from towering jagged rock spires and winding canyons to open grasslands and and miles of prairie. The Badlands also contain a huge fossil bed dating back more than 30 million years, giving visitors the opportunity to peek back in time to an era when long extinct animals still roamed the area. Today, the park is home to a large herd of bison, plenty of big horn sheep, and the endangered black footed ferret, amongst other species of wildlife.

Carlsbad Caverns, New Mexico
The National Park system is home to one of the most spectacular cave systems found anywhere in the world in the form of Carlsbad Caverns, located in the far southeast section of New Mexico. With its 94 individual caves, carved from the limestone that is prominent in the region, the Carlsbad Caverns are otherworldly in their beauty. The underground labyrinth is filled with narrow, twisting passages as well as large chambers and open passageways. Perhaps the most spectacular is the Big Room, which is 8.2 acres in size, handicap accessible, and well lit with electric lights. The more adventurous will want to sign up for one of the tours that will take them deeper into the Earth, where they’ll make their way with headlamps into seldom visited dark crevasses.Crater Lake, Oregon
Located deep within the Cascade Mountain range, Crater Lake was formed when water from retreating glaciers in the last ice age, filled in the caldera of an extinct volcano. The lake is six miles across and more than 2000 feet in depth, making it the deepest in the U.S. It also happens to sits at the middle of 250 square miles of pristine wilderness that is the perfect outdoor playground. Hikers and backpackers will find plenty to love on the spectacular trails, and SCUBA divers have been known to plunge deep into the lake’s crystal clear blue waters. In the winter, the hiking gives way to skiing and snowshoeing as well.

Congaree, South Carolina
South Carolina is home to the remains of the largest old-growth floodplain forest in North America. Conagree National Park covers more than 22,000 acres and is home to 75 species of ancient trees, earning it a designation as a International Biosphere Reserve. Visitors can stroll beneath one of the world’s highest natural canopies along 20 miles of trail. But to really explore this park you’ll want to break out a canoe or kayak, and paddle deep into the interior. The park offers free guided tours on most weekends, although an advanced reservation is required. Birdwatchers will enjoy Congaree as well, with its plethora of birdlife, and white tailed deer, raccoons, and otters are also frequently spotted.

Great Basin, Nevada
Don’t be fooled by the desert location of Great Basin National Park, it is far from a dry, dead wasteland as many believe. In fact, the park is alive with plants and animals, and is accented by snow capepd Wheeler Peak, which stands over 13,000 feet in height. The best way to explore Great Basin is on foot, and there are plenty of great hiking trails to take you past the parks top attractions, such as the 5000 year old bristlecone pine trees and the six-story tall Lexington Arch Trail. If you do go to Great Basin, be sure to stick around after dark, as the view of the night sky is spectacular, with the Mikly Way on full display.

These are just a few of the many national parks and monuments that will be fee free this weekend. To find others, be sure to head to NPS.gov to checkout the options close to you.