I visited several in the late summer of 1977 but I would like to re-visit them again soon. I've never been farther west than Yellowstone and Grand canyon. I have a hankering to hike around Yosimite, see some giant trees and hike around Tahoe. Who knows what retirement will bring?

Trade the Maglite and head lamp for something lighter. I use a tiny lED lamp that hangs in the tent that is about the size of a quarter. My headlamp needs replaced with one that used hearing aid batteries. I usually have two BIC lighters, one is a spare and both are the half sized ones. Buy some ...

I walked over 400 miles without a single blister until my 'waterproof' boots got wet from damp grass through Caesar Creek State Park. I ended up with quite a few that day due to the change in friction. I use ankle height boots because the extra lacing keeps the shoe in place since the tops are held ...

I know the Buckeye trail folks here in Ohio have a trip set up to Pictured rocks in September. I was going to go but life keeps getting in the way. Maybe some of you folks can figure out how to tag along or form a joint venture.

http://buckeyetrail.org/events.html

So you can walk the length of the island, resupply at the store and hike back another route?

I ordered the map late last week and it arrived yesterday. It shows the trails plus portage routes between the inland lakes/ponds, included are elevations and water depth in surrounding Lake Superior. Water proof and tear resistant and large, it may be objectionable to the ultra light crowd but I ...

I saw one painted in the middle of a country road in Ohio several years ago.

Ditto on Colin Fletcher. He was considered the go to source back in the early-mid 70's. I modeled my early hikes using his techniques and dedicated one o fmy hike sto his memory a couple years ago. He walked thousands upon thousands of miles carrying probably 80 pounds of the 'latest' gear of the ...

I wonder where this writer came up with these odd impressions which now serve as reporting on a website? Greg R.

Probably the way a lot of modern 'journalism' is done these days....they made it up at their cubicle desk.

I'm no expert but if my map reading worked then it is in the vacinity of 16 miles using the routes I examined. http://shop.nationalgeographic.com/ngs/product/maps/travel-and-hiking-maps/trails-illustrated-hiking-and-recreation-maps/michigan/240-isle-royale-national-park-trail-map I went to a map ...

I also use a Sea to Summit silnylon tarp/poncho. While it's 100% water proof and an excellent bug barrier, you soon steam up the inside with sweat vapor and end up as wet as if you were exposed to the elements. During a 100+ mile Buckeye trail hike in June from Dayton to Cincinnatti, I used it ...

Make yourself a small lantern for camp use by converting one of those outdoor solar cell lawn lights. Remove the extra plastic and hang with a cord or a bent paperclip hook. The things contain one AA battery and are very lightweight.

I read a post about cheap Wal-mart rain jackets on another thread here. I bought one of those due to price and compactbility, it was no bargain during a cold, misty wind-driven rain on a exposed mountain top along the Laurel Highlands. I'm sure they are fine for a dash out to the mailbox or to an ...

Oh yes, I used a National Geographic map in the Smokies. Very nicely detailed and to the point.

Edit: add link:

http://shop.nationalgeographic.com/ngs/ ... -trail-map

I'm looking for the best maps that show all of the trails for a first time trip next year. Got any recommendations?