Wildwood Hiking Co.

26/01/2025

Here's a fun tip for pooping in the woods 😆

The Deuce #2 ultralight trowel is a favorite among backpackers because it's lightweight and strong, and the serrated edges make it easier to dig a cat hole. But did you know that the HANDLE is actually a better DIGGER?

Flip the trowel upside-down to get more force while you dig. Use the handle to dig an outline of a circle in the dirt, and then flip it back over and use the wider part to scoop out the dirt. Keep digging and scooping til you get a 6" deep hole to make your deposit. When you're done, kick the dirt back into the hole to cover everything up. Easy peasy!

Also... how fun is this color?? 😍 I don't need another trowel... but I may have to add this one to my gear stash this year.

25/01/2025

Doe, a deer, a female deer. Ray, a drop of golden sun!

I absolutely love the balds of Roan Mountain! Every time I hike here, I feel like I'm in the Sound of Music! Strolling through the wildflower covered fields of the blue ridge mountains just makes me wanna sing...

Come tap into your inner Julie Andrews with me this spring! I've got 1 spot left on my May 30 Women's Backpacking Trip in the Roan Highlands. This trip is a favorite for first time backpackers!

Sign up at www.wildwoodhiking.com

24/01/2025

Some more thru-hiker (or backpacking) tips for cold weather ❄❄:

Make sure your sleep system is rated for the coldest temperatures you expect during your hike. Northbound thru-hikers starting in March and April are likely to encounter below freezing temperatures at some point, especially in the high elevations of the Smokies where temperatures can easily dip into the 20s or teens at night!

Sleeping pads are rated with a "R-Value", ranging from 0-7, where the high number provides more insulation. An R-Value of 4 or 5 works for most people in these conditions, but if you get cold easily, you may want a higher number. If you get hot at night (like me), you can probably get away with a lower number.

Sleeping bags and quilts aren't rated with an R-Value, but are given temperature ratings instead. Most bags list a "Comfort" rating as well as a "Survival" rating. A 20 degree comfort rating works well for most people, but you may want something warmer or cooler depending on how you sleep. Don't make the mistake of relying on the survival rating! At that temperature, you'll be alive, but you probably won't get any sleep.

And if you get really cold when you sleep, you might consider adding some down booties for your feet or a down hood for your head. I like to toss some instant hand warmers into my quilt before bed to help warm it up, or you can even add hot water to a Nalgene bottle and tuck it in by your feet.

Bonus tips: Sleep with your electronics while they charge for a little extra warmth, and keep your water filter inside your bag so it doesn't freeze! Your water filter can break if it freezes.

24/01/2025

With the frigid temperatures here in East Tennessee, I thought I'd share some tips for thru-hiking (or backpacking) in the cold! 🥶🥶

Be Bold! Start Cold!

When you first wake up and start hiking, you'll be freezing and want to put on all of your layers. Resist the urge! With too many layers, you'll soon be sweating and putting yourself at risk of hypothermia. Start hiking a little cold, and then add layers if you need to. You might be surprised how warm you get while hiking in the snow!

Make sure you have adequate warm and water/wind protective layers. A wool base layer, fleece mid layer, and rain jacket are my go-to combo for cold hiking. Take layers off as you get warm, and add layers as you get cold. Keep yourself DRY and WARM. Sweat is bad when you're hiking in the cold- as it evaporates from your skin, it steals all of your body heat, too.

You'll lose heat rapidly as soon as you stop hiking, so get changed into a dry, warm set of clothes as soon as you get to camp. I like to have a heavier weight set of base layers, some cozy socks, and a lightweight puffy jacket for camp. And don't forget a hat and gloves!

23/01/2025

So cool! New forever stamps coming out next month will feature sights from the Appalachian Trail!

The U.S. Postal Service will release stamps honoring the Appalachian National Scenic Trail, which offers nearly 2,200 miles of unspoiled nature to the millions who hike it each year. Within easy reach of large East Coast metropolitan areas, the Appalachian Trail — often called the AT — provides ...

22/01/2025

Getting ready for Wilderness Wildlife Week in Pigeon Forge, TN. I'll have a booth set up to share about my upcoming trips. Come check it out January 28 - February 1!

https://www.mypigeonforge.com/event/wilderness-wildlife-week/

From educational programs to guided hikes in the Smoky Mountains, Wilderness Wildlife Week offers activities for all ages. Get schedules and event info.

17/01/2025

Appalachian Trail Thru-Hiker Tip: Be wary of the privy!

A "privy" is another word for an outhouse. Most of the shelters on the AT have a privy nearby, and a lot of hikers use them so they don't have to dig cat-holes. This is great! However... the privies are also where Norovirus is spread! This nasty stomach bug comes from poor bathroom hygiene (not washing your hands) and easily spreads from the privy to the shelters and the picnic tables when people touch the surfaces. Even worse, hand sanitizer does NOT kill Norovirus! And it can survive on surfaces for weeks. This is why so many hikers in the springtime end up with this debilitating sickness in Georgia, Tennessee, and North Carolina.

Here are some privy rules that I use to stay safe on the AT:
1. Bring a small bottle of soap (Dr. Bronner's is great) and a water bottle. Set these down outside the privy before you go in. You'll need them later.

2. Don't touch the privy! Use your foot to kick open the door and lift the lid. Don't lock the door if there is one.

3. Don't set your phone or toilet paper down in the privy! Keep your phone zipped in a jacket pocket and get your toilet paper out and ready in another pocket.

4. When you leave the privy, immediately wash your hands with the SOAP and water you left outside!

16/01/2025

Here's another Thru-Hiker Tip: Never quit on a bad day.

You'll have a lot of bad days out there. Between the throbbing pain in your feet, the constant overwhelming fatigue, the stench of your sweaty clothes, the pointless ups and downs on the trail, missing your comfy bed and a flushing toilet, the mental challenge of just being "over it" and feeling like you can't possibly choke down one more cup of ramen... You'll want to quit. A lot. But you should never quit on a bad day.

When you really want to quit, give yourself a little break. Go to town and get a shower, a hot meal, and a bed for a night. Call your friends and family. Relax your tired body. Then go out to the trail again in a day or two. Chances are, you'll feel alive again and ready to tackle the next few miles. Then, when you're having a good day, ask yourself if you really want to quit.

You probably can't tell in this picture, but I remember crying and cussing my way down that mountain. I summoned up every bit of profanity I could think of 😄. I was exhausted and hungry and everything hurt. It was getting dark and it was raining. I just wanted to stop and set up camp, but there were no good places to put up a tent. I was So. Over. It! But with some sleep and a belly full of food, I let my mind reset. And I kept hiking the next day.

15/01/2025

Thru-Hiker Tip: Take the blue blaze!

A blue blaze is a marker for a side trail that runs off the Appalachian Trail (which is blazed with white markers). Sometimes these routes go to shelters or water sources, but sometimes they go to a beautiful viewpoint or nice waterfall like this one. This is Long Creek Falls, just 0.1 of a mile off the AT in Georgia. It's worth the extra steps, and is a wonderful place to take a lunch break!

As a thru-hiker, you're going to be physically exhausted pretty much every day. And sometimes you won't want to do the extra steps, but it's almost always worth it. Remember, it's not a race, and Katahdin isn't going anywhere. Slow down, take the blue blaze, and enjoy every moment out there. Last one to Katahdin wins!

14/01/2025

Appalachian Trail Thru Hiker Tip: Start slow!

Did you know only 20-25% of prospective thru-hikers make it all the way? 2200+ miles is no easy task, and it takes a huge toll on your body. One reason people quit is from injury, and the most common injuries occur from overuse. It takes time for your body to adjust to the rigors of backpacking every day, carrying an extra 25-30 pounds up and down mountains. The knees, ankles, and feet take the bulk of it.

The best way to prevent overuse injuries is to TAKE IT SLOW! Start your hike with just 8-10 miles per day. And listen to your body; if that's too much, do less. After a few weeks, you can start increasing mileage (slowly). You'll be cruising along doing 20+ mile days in a few months. Until then, go slow, lower your mileage, and listen to your body.

One of my mistakes early on was trying to keep up with everyone else around me. I'm only 5 feet tall, and I have a short stride. It takes me twice as many steps to get up the mountain than some of you long-leggers out there. I injured my left knee just a week into my thru-hike, and I'm still paying for it! Hindsight is 20/20 right?

13/01/2025

Thru-Hiking season is just around the corner! Northbound hikers will be kicking off their journey in the next few months, so I thought I would start sharing some thru-hiking tips! (Also great for those weekend warriors, too)

Thru-Hiker Tip: Take care of your tootsies! It takes about 5 million steps to get from Georgia to Maine, and your feet are your biggest asset. Take a long lunch break every day (30 minutes to an hour) and TAKE OFF YOUR SOCKS AND SHOES! Let your feet air out and put your socks in a sunny spot to dry. This is a good time to check your feet for blisters or hot spots and get them taped (Leuko tape is great for this). Massage your feet, elevate them if they're swollen, and stick them in a cold creek if they're hurting- just go downstream away from the hikers that are filling their water bottles :)

This seems small, but it makes a HUGE difference. Not only do your feet need a break, but the foam in the soles of your shoes needs a chance to decompress, too. After your break, your feet will feel brand new!

11/01/2025

Most Appalachian Trail thru-hikers begin their hike in March and April, and the trail in Georgia can get overwhelmed with prospective thru-hikers. The surge of hikers can damage the trail and have negative impacts on vegetation, streams, and wildlife.
To minimize your impact on the trail, register your thru-hike with the ATC and choose a start date with fewer people. While registration is voluntary, it's a good way to solidify your plans to thru-hike and help make the most of your experience!

Thru-Hiker Registration

10/01/2025

Thinking about thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail? Join me on Sunday, February 16 for an online AT Thru-Hiker Prep workshop, where we'll discuss everything you need to know to get started!

Learn about life on the trail, planning and logistics, the gear you need and the gear you don't, how to use hostels and shuttle services, how to plan your resupplies, how to prepare yourself physically and mentally for the long journey, and how to stay safe on the trail.

Sign up at www.wildwoodhiking.com

https://www.wildwoodhiking.com/products/appalachian-trail-thru-hiker-prep-online-class

09/01/2025

I used to set New Year's Resolutions for myself that were pretty standard... lose weight, exercise more, eat healthier... but they never stuck and I never really felt committed to them. So a few years ago, I decided to try something different. I wrote down a list of new things I wanted to try that year. And they were fun things, like "build a bird house" and "take a salsa dancing lesson." Then, whenever I felt like I was in a slump, I would look back at the list and get a little inspiration. I was surprised at the end of the year to see how much I actually accomplished, and how many new things I had done!

I did a lot of new things in 2024- I went snowboarding for the first time, I read some new books, I started beekeeping, I went rafting for the first time, I hiked to the bottom of the Grand Canyon, and I road tripped through a bunch of National Parks. And I made a heck of a lot of good memories doing it!

Life is short, and the things we experience are what we remember and enjoy the most. If you're thinking about a New Year's Resolution for yourself, why not try something different this year? What are some new things you'd like to experience in 20205?

07/01/2025

It's hard to get work done when I've got these guys at the kitchen window! I started bird watching with my friend, Jamie, back in 2020 during Covid lock-downs. I was teaching from home then, and I set up some bird feeders in the backyard that I could watch from my makeshift desk in the spare bedroom. Since then, I've grown to love bird watching and identifying different birds. I love the Northern Cardinals because they remind me of where I grew up in Illinois. They come in flocks in the winter, and the bright red of the male cardinal stands out against the snow. Cardinals mate for life, and you'll often see the lady cardinal nearby, too.

Just today at my feeders, I've spotted:

- Northern Cardinals
- Carolina Wrens
- Tufted Titmice
- Carolina Chickadees
- American Goldfinches
- Downy Woodpeckers
- Red-Bellied Woodpeckers
- White-Throated Sparrows
- Pine Warblers
- Dark-Eyed Juncos

Anyone that's hiked with me this year knows that I love birds!

14/12/2024

Just got back from a week-long visit to Hawaii to visit some family. What a beautiful place! We started the trip on the island of Maui and hiked in the Haleakala National Park, which is home to a large volcano with a huge crater at the top. We hiked to the crater and stayed for sunset, and did some bird watching along the way. At the bottom of the volcano, we drove the Road to Hana and hiked the Pipiwai trail to a beautiful waterfall. We also spent a day on a snorkeling trip and saw tons of fish and even some humpack whales! After Maui, we flew to Oahu where we spent a few days hiking, sight seeing, and taking some surfing lessons. It was hard to leave the beautiful islands, but we are excited to be back home!

06/12/2024

Did you know that the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the "Salamander Capital of the World?" The Smokies is home to 30 different species of salamanders, including this Eastern (Red-Spotted) Newt.

04/12/2024

Happy National Cookie Day! 🍪

I still remember this as the best cookie I've ever eaten! During my AT thru-hike, my friend Liza sent a box of cookies for me to Damascus, VA. She's an excellent baker, and these cookies were LOADED with every kind of cookie parts you can imagine! I know a lot of love went into those cookies, and I was so grateful to pick them at the post office. I walked around town and shared them with all the other hikers, and they were all so excited! 😄 Isn't it great how a few cookies can spread so much joy?