Wolverine Hikes

People who know me know that I belong on the Trail. I've thru-hiked the Appalachian Trail (three times, now),the Pacific Crest Trail and the mighty Continental Divide Trail. I've hiked many of the long trails here in Michigan including being the first to hike both the Ironwood Trail and the Great Lake To Lake Trail. In 2017, I hiked the Israel National Trail and the Golan Heights Trail. I was the first to hike the Baja Divide Trail in Mexico but failed miserably to thru-hike the Bruce Trail in Canada. In 2019, I hiked the TEMBR in Ecuador and 1,150 miles of the North Country Trail as it runs through my home state of Michigan.

The purpose of this blog is to keep anyone who is interested informed of my progress and to encourage those who are able to support me in these endeavors.

Monday, June 4, 2012

What Am I Afraid Of?

Ultralight hikers are fond of saying "You bring more of what you're afraid of".  What they mean by that is that we tend pack more things in our backpacks to compensate for our fears.  For example, if you're afraid to be cold, you brings lots of clothes.  If you're afraid of being hungry, you bring lots of food.  If you're afraid of getting lost you bring extra maps, GPS, etc...  I think they're right but, on the other hand, you can't hike with NOTHING.  You need some kind of shelter, at least some food and a map, etc...  I've been re-evaluating all my gear, wondering where I can shave a few ounces and asking myself "What, exactly, am I afraid of?".  Stay tuned and I'll let you know what I come up with.


You might not be able to tell, but this pack is falling apart.  Straps are busted and the frame is cracked.  After a lot of calls and emails, Granite Gear is sending me a replacement!!  Thanks to Granite Gear, Moosejaw in Birmingham, MI and Donna Saufley.

3 comments:

Martha said...

If I had to guess...gun to my head...I'd say you are afraid of being hungry. I bet it's still very clear in your head the days you spent on the AT out of or almost out of food. As your HRC, I have a very exact list of what to send in your resupply and while there are the "can't hike without these items" the rest of the list just reads..."fill the rest of the box with as much food as you possibly can."
The AT offered farms and orchards and plants to eat. That desert's got nothing.

Martha said...

On the other hand...only mere mortals are afraid.

solidaridad entre los pueblos said...

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