UPDATE 06/24/23: Almost every road in the park is now open – you can check statuses here. UPDATE 06/02/22: The Cascade Highway is officially open as of May 10. A very snowy April and May means that there is still… Read More »Is North Cascades Good to Visit in June? Best Time to Visit [June 2023 Update]
Trying to change your travel plans is usually a nightmare. Flights and hotels are notoriously picky and unwilling to help, but what about train travel? Is Amtrak customer service good, easy to deal with, and helpful? Or is it a… Read More »My (Fantastic) Experience With Amtrak Customer Service
Truth be told, camping or backpacking in bear country isn’t that different from camping and backpacking anywhere else. There are a few things you need to do, be aware of, and remember, though – and that’s why I put together… Read More »11 Tips for Camping in Bear Country
Bears will typically only charge people if they feel threatened or (much less likely) challenged. If a bear is startled by your presence, or you have inadvertently given off a menacing vibe, you may trigger an aggressive response. Outside of… Read More »Why Do Bears Charge Humans?
My wife and I chose to hike this 9.5-mile route as kind of a “cool down” hike the day after we tackled Mount Mitchell, and it was a great choice. Starting at the Mount Mitchell State Park information center, we… Read More »Hike report: Commissary and Buncombe Horse Trails, near Mt Mitchell
Amtrak is expensive, there’s no way around that. If you’ve booked a trip that you can no longer go on, the money you spent is going to be the first thing on your mind. Let’s take a dive into Amtrak’s… Read More »Amtrak refunds: what to know (and how to cancel) if your train travel plans change
One of the biggest challenges before a backpacking trip is selecting a backpack that actually works for you. Planning a trip longer than 3 days means you’re going to need more than just the bare essentials- plus lots of extra… Read More »Backpacking Basics: What Size Pack for a 5-Day Trip?
My wife and I hiked from Black Mountain Campground to the Mount Mitchell Summit on 05/19. – it’s one of the most popular trails in the state of North Carolina, pretty much entirely because Mount Mitchell is the highest point… Read More »Hike report: Mount Mitchell from Black Mountain Campground
Across the 2,650 miles of the Pacific Crest Trail, you’ll encounter almost everything nature has to throw at you. Snow, rain, howling wind in some parts; bleak, dry, and arid desert in others- even active volcanoes! Stretching from one US… Read More »What National Parks are on the Pacific Crest Trail?
Backpacking and hiking are amazing ways to spend time and connect with nature, but nobody said it was easy. In fact, the difficulty of many trails is precisely what’s appealing about them. This means, however, your body needs to be… Read More »12 off-trail exercises for Backpacking: Get in shape for your trip
