Join me on the trails as I explore the world one hike at a time. This is my trail journal, where I reflect on the miles I cover, the places I see, and the thoughts that come to me along the way. Expect stories from my hikes and paddles, notes on gear, book recommendations, and anything else that strikes me as worth sharing on the trail.
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ZPacks Duplex Initial Setup
This post is NOT sponsored. All the gear mentioned in this post was purchased by me at retail prices. I have no affiliations with any of the companies or brands mentioned.
Introduction
When it comes to the great outdoors, there are many ways to enjoy it. And so many options for gear, it will boggle the mind. Most people are probably familiar with car camping where you drive right up to the campsite and setup the tent that was purchased at some sporting goods sport or the outdoor section of the local mega-mart. Backpacking, where you carry all of your gear in a pack on your back, and hike to the campsite, presents it's own challenges and requires lighter gear. The general advice is to focus on the Big 3 first as these will have the biggest impact on your pack weight. For this post, I will be focusing on the shelter I am going to be using for my upcoming Appalachian Trail thru-hike.
Tenoroc Labor Day Hike
Preparation
I woke up with the thought to push myself and prepare for my upcoming
thru-hike. As I live in a very flat area, I can't properly train for the
mountains that I will experience along the Appalachian Trail, so I had to
opt for more mileage instead.
To this goal, I decided to hit up one of my favorite local trails, the
Tenoroc Public Use Area trails. The area use to be a phosphorus mine, so
it actually has a decent elevation gain for this very flat state. The trails
are also only a short drive away and cost $3 for entry, although it does have
an annoying setup for the check-in/check-out.
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What is Next?
My next big adventure is the Appalachian Trail in 2026. It will be my first attempt at a thru-hike this long. Hiking this trail has been a dream for more years than I can remember, and I am exited to experience the miles, challenges, and moments of quiet reflection along the way.