Everyone has seen videos and photos of hikers trekking on one the three great long-distance trails: the Appalachian Trail, Pacific Crest Trail or Continental Divide Trail. Most of those images highlight the incredible beauty of the trails. But what is it really like to thru-hike a long-distance trail? What does it really take?
Here's a video from Brett, Nate, and Tyler as they discuss their thru-hike of the Pacific Crest Trail. Most importantly, these guys are mere mortals, not uber adventurers like Andrew Skurka, or even Bear Grylls. Prior to their hike, none had a great deal of experience with backpacking. So, from this perspective, they provide their thoughts on what it's really like to thru-hike a long distance trail. This video was produced for The Clymb a few weeks back:
Jeff
Hiking in Glacier.com
Showing posts with label Continental Divide Trail. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Continental Divide Trail. Show all posts
Saturday, April 7, 2012
Saturday, February 18, 2012
Overexposed: My Strange Life on America's Toughest Trail
Last month Lynne Whelden, lightweight backpacking guru, and veteran of the Appalachian and Pacific Crest Trails, published his latest DVD film, "Overexposed: My Strange Life on America's Toughest Trail". This three-hour documentary provides a day by day account of Lynne's border to border adventure on the Continental Divide Trail.
The video is the tenth in a series of hiking and backpacking films that Whelden has produced since the early 1980s. Using a high-definition video camera for the first time, this project took 7 years to complete. Lynne's goal was to bring the glory of the mountains right into your living room.
In his "The Long Distance Hiker" newsletter (winter 2011), Mike Cunningham had this to say: "I will confess that I think that Lynne Whelden is one of, if not THE, finest producers of backpacking/outdoor films."
Cunningham also had this to say about Overexposed: "The photography is exquisite. The scenery is awe-inspiring. The sound track is amazing."
The film is available in regular widescreen format or on blu-ray. For more information on the video, please click here.
Jeff
Hiking in Glacier.com
The video is the tenth in a series of hiking and backpacking films that Whelden has produced since the early 1980s. Using a high-definition video camera for the first time, this project took 7 years to complete. Lynne's goal was to bring the glory of the mountains right into your living room.In his "The Long Distance Hiker" newsletter (winter 2011), Mike Cunningham had this to say: "I will confess that I think that Lynne Whelden is one of, if not THE, finest producers of backpacking/outdoor films."
Cunningham also had this to say about Overexposed: "The photography is exquisite. The scenery is awe-inspiring. The sound track is amazing."
The film is available in regular widescreen format or on blu-ray. For more information on the video, please click here.
Jeff
Hiking in Glacier.com
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
U.S. Postal Service Delays Closure of Post Offices
Last July the U.S. Postal Service announced that they would be conducting a study to determine the need for some 3700 retail post offices. Potentially, the USPS was prepared to eliminate more than 10% of all their post offices around the country. Most of these closings were likely to occur in rural areas, such as those found along the Continental Divide Trail or Appalachian Trail.
This decision would have a significant impact on long-distance hikers. Thru-hikers, and section hikers, use the services of post offices to forward, or pre-deliver, food, gear and other supplies as they proceed along the trail. Many backpackers fear that it will become much more difficult to thru-hike trails like the Continental Divide Trail, or the Pacific Crest Trail, due to possibility of having to carry significantly more weight in their packs.
As for now, however, rural post offices have received a stay of execution. The USPS recently made this announcement on their website:
The U.S. Postal Service, in response to a request made by multiple U.S. Senators, has agreed to delay the closing or consolidation of any Post Office or mail processing facility until May 15, 2012. The Postal Service will continue all necessary steps required for the review of these facilities during the interim period, including public input meetings.
The Postal Service hopes this period will help facilitate the enactment of comprehensive postal legislation. Given the Postal Service’s financial situation and the loss of mail volume, the Postal Service must continue to take all steps necessary to reduce costs and increase revenue.
This is partial good news for thru-hikers. Most northbound hikers on the Continental Divide Trail will have already knocked-out a couple of hundred miles by the time that deadline rolls around. At least up until that point they'll be able use the postal service for their supply drops.
As I mentioned in a posting back in July, I believe the private sector will step-in and continue to offer re-supply services to hikers in the event of any closures. However, things might be a bit confusing for hikers already on the trail this year.
Jeff
Hiking in Glacier.com
This decision would have a significant impact on long-distance hikers. Thru-hikers, and section hikers, use the services of post offices to forward, or pre-deliver, food, gear and other supplies as they proceed along the trail. Many backpackers fear that it will become much more difficult to thru-hike trails like the Continental Divide Trail, or the Pacific Crest Trail, due to possibility of having to carry significantly more weight in their packs.
As for now, however, rural post offices have received a stay of execution. The USPS recently made this announcement on their website:
The U.S. Postal Service, in response to a request made by multiple U.S. Senators, has agreed to delay the closing or consolidation of any Post Office or mail processing facility until May 15, 2012. The Postal Service will continue all necessary steps required for the review of these facilities during the interim period, including public input meetings.
The Postal Service hopes this period will help facilitate the enactment of comprehensive postal legislation. Given the Postal Service’s financial situation and the loss of mail volume, the Postal Service must continue to take all steps necessary to reduce costs and increase revenue.
This is partial good news for thru-hikers. Most northbound hikers on the Continental Divide Trail will have already knocked-out a couple of hundred miles by the time that deadline rolls around. At least up until that point they'll be able use the postal service for their supply drops.
As I mentioned in a posting back in July, I believe the private sector will step-in and continue to offer re-supply services to hikers in the event of any closures. However, things might be a bit confusing for hikers already on the trail this year.
Jeff
Hiking in Glacier.com
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