The Limits of Solitude
I experienced a first on my last backpacking trip in that it ended up not being a backpacking trip at all. It instead became a day hike with an absurdly excessive pack. I had planned to drive two hours...
View ArticleEmbracing the Irrational
Be honest, what preoccupies you more when hiking – a fear of bear attacks and snake bites, or a fear of hypothermia and drowning? I know I’m much more fearful of serpent strikes than moving water and a...
View ArticleGear Haiku: Kuhl Renegade Cap
Kuhl Renegade CapRead more »Toward Simple is devoted to hiking, backpacking, camping, and experiencing wilderness unfiltered.
View ArticleThe People's Climate March - A Politically Impotent Work of Inspiring Art
Yesterday, New York City was host to the largest climate change demonstration in history. Events took the place the world over, but the largest and most public was the march in Manhattan that drew more...
View ArticleIntegrating and Refining Multiple Passions
I often have trouble negotiating how much energy I want to pour into any one endeavor. When I become interested in something, I can tend to get somewhat obsessed (even going so far as devoting daily...
View ArticleTrail Review: Burgess Falls State Park
Location: 4000 Burgess Falls Drive; Sparta., TN 38583Trail Length: Apprx. 2.5 Miles Round Trip (for River Trail, spur to falls, Ridge Trail loop, and return to parking lot)Difficulty: Moderate (with...
View ArticleOutdoor Photography Hack - Washer & Cord Tripod Plate Tightener
I'll admit, this hack is not the sexiest, most complicated, or most elegant, but I use it EVERY time I shoot in the backcountry (or anywhere else for that matter.) This "hack" is nothing more than...
View ArticleGear Haiku: Mountain Hardwear Thermostatic Jacket
Mountain Hardwear Thermostatic JacketRead more »Toward Simple is devoted to hiking, backpacking, camping, and experiencing wilderness unfiltered.
View ArticleThe Benefits of Hiking with Trekking Poles
For the uninitiated, using trekking poles to hike might appear a bit superfluous. After all, they do kind of seem like training wheels for walking. Together with gaiters and those "mudflap" baseball...
View ArticleA Quick Guide to Trekking Poles
I'm a big advocate of trekking poles as are most hikers with even modest experience. They just make life easier on the trail. I won't bother to restate that argument, as my last post details the many...
View ArticleFinally, Autumn
With October's arrival, we can officially begin to celebrate autumn. I love the fall like no other season. Much more than spring, the traditional season of rebirth, autumn feels like a new beginning....
View ArticleVideo: Tiny House Inspiration
As I've mentioned in the past, this blog started with the idea of radically downsizing and simplifying my life. At that time, I was hugely inspired by the tiny house movement and I remain fascinated...
View ArticleGear Haiku: Cheap-Ass Rayovac Keychain Flashlight
Cheap-Ass Rayovac Keychain FlashlightRead more »Toward Simple is devoted to hiking, backpacking, camping, and experiencing wilderness unfiltered.
View ArticleFrom The Mailbag: Car Camping for Newbies
I recently had a friend reach out with a question on a subject I realize I hadn't addressed much on this blog. Her email asked for tips directed to those new to car camping, and I'm glad for the...
View ArticleCar Camping for Beginners, Part I: Where to Camp
Having really gotten into backpacking over the past couple of years, I tend to forget that simple car camping is not necessarily a self-explanatory endeavor. Because I didn't grow up in a family that...
View ArticleCar Camping for Beginners, Part II: Gear & Clothing
In Part I of this quick Car Camping for Beginners series, we discussed where to find a good campground and the differences in types of campsites. Moving on from there, we should discuss some of the...
View ArticleCar Camping for Beginners, Part III: Food, Fire, & Fun
This is the last post in a three part series offering some basics in car camping. In Part I we discussed where to find a good campground and the differences in types of campsites. Part IIcovered gear...
View ArticleTrail Review: Collins Gulf Loop at Savage Gulf
Skinny FallsTrail: Collins Gulf LoopLocation: Savage Gulf State Recreation Area; Tracy City, TNTrail Length: 13 MilesDifficulty: Moderate with Strenuous stretchesSolitude: Moderate with crowded...
View ArticleTrail Review: Perimeter Trail; Bowie Nature Park
Click map for larger image.Trail: Perimeter LoopLocation: Bowie Nature Park; Fairview, TNTrail Length: 4.7 MilesDifficulty: EasySolitude: Moderate weekend crowds, good solitude during weekRead more...
View ArticleIn Praise of Danger
I am not an adrenaline junkie. Despite surviving a childhood of scrapes, scars, and concussions from helmet-less BMX biking and helmet-abusing football games, I am now a fairly cautious middle age man....
View ArticleIn Praise Of Winter
This is the time of year when I hear many friends bemoan the onset of winter. With grey skies, wet weather, cold temperatures, and darkness setting in by 4:30 PM in Nashville, I can understand the...
View ArticleThe Darkest Days of the Year
Winter solstice is but a few days away. These are literally the darkest days of the year considering they offer the fewest hours of sunlight. An undeniable tension exists this time of year between the...
View ArticleTrail Review: Hobbs Cabin Loop; Savage Gulf, TN
Trail: Hobbs Cabin Loop (Savage Day Loop, North Plateau, & North Rim Trails)Location: Savage Gulf State Recreation Area; Tracy City, TNTrail/Loop Length: 17.6 Miles (9.4 miles out, 8.2 miles...
View ArticleGear Review: Tinlid Thrive Hat
Tinlid Thrive HatI wear baseball caps on the daily, at least until temperatures drop and my trusty collection of brimmed lids are replaced by skull caps for the winter. There is a reason the baseball...
View ArticleTrail Review: Hidden Passage Loop at Pickett State Park
Double Falls at Pickett State Park - click to enlargeTrail Map - click to enlargeTrail: Hidden Passage LoopLocation: Pickett State Park; Jamestown, TNTrail Length: Apprx. 9.5 MilesDifficulty: Moderate...
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