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GonzoJohn

Taylorsville Lake State Park: A Hiker's Lament

Taylorsville has a special place in my heart. My father was born and raised there, and a good part of my youth was spent traveling to Taylorsville on Saturdays or Sundays to visit any number of kinfolk in the area.

I watched my Grand-Pop fish on the Salt River long before they were even thinking about a dam for the lake. I learned to fish at my cousin's farm which now has the bypass running directly through what used to be their land. Even the ride to Taylorsville has some great memories, espec… Continue

Posted by GonzoJohn on July 1, 2009 at 10:20pm

GonzoJohn

Kinda Cool News

The Louisville paper is the Courier Journal, and they are re-organizing and redesigning the Outdoors section of their newspaper online. I've been blogging there for six months as a "reader's blog", but I'll soon be the official "hiking blogger" for them in the Outdoors section.

Not a huge deal, but nice to be recognized for the contribution. The content I blog here will be basically the same as what I blog for the paper. I hope you enjoy it and I'll post the URL as soon as the redesign and my… Continue

Posted by GonzoJohn on June 27, 2009 at 10:00pm

GonzoJohn

Scotts Gap, Two Times

Scott's Gap Loop, Jefferson Memorial Forest



I've gotten caught in stormy weather on trails several times. Almost every time it has happened, I didn't really plan for a sudden thunderstorm, but I was always prepared with a plastic poncho in my pack, so I was never worried.

On June 15th, the weather called for rain all afternoon, so I was prepared for a wet hike from the outset. I had not h… Continue

Posted by GonzoJohn on June 22, 2009 at 4:17pm

GonzoJohn

Trail Shorts: Stories from Kentuckiana Trails

Mother Instinct

It was rather startling.

I was just strolling along the trail, enjoying the greenery when to my left there was an explosion of feathers and noise.

After flinching, I watched a small brownish bird, no bigger than a child's fist, fly directly down the trail in front of me, and land, all the while screeching and squawking. After it landed, it flopped about helplessly, continuing its alarming cries. At first, I thought it was injured, but as I approached, it gathered itself… Continue

Posted by GonzoJohn on June 18, 2009 at 11:00pm

Zia Hasan

Living Among The Bawm

I caught this while taking a morning walk, near Thekiyang Khua, a Bawm settlement, about 15 miles from the Bangladesh-Myanmar border. People had just started going about their morning chores as I was setting up my camera on a tripod. It is amazing how life has not changed much the last 40 years since National Geographic magazine published an article by Claus Deiter Brauns on the Mru (a related tribe) back in 1973. Thekiyang in only a day’s walk from Ruma Bazzar, the nearest urban center,… Continue

Posted by Zia Hasan on June 16, 2009 at 6:00am

Zia Hasan

In Search of The Elusive Goyal

This is my third trip in search of the elusive Goyal (bos gaurus frontalis) into the Chittagong Hill Tracks. My first trip, mired by the death of a close relative of my host came to a disastrous end after I had contaminated Typhoid from drinking tainted water. My second attempt involved a two-mile trek through tough terrain to a Mru settlement and frantic last minute negotiations with the village Karbari, whose son agreed to take me to a watering hole that their Goyals frequent. Alas, we… Continue

Posted by Zia Hasan on June 16, 2009 at 5:30am

GonzoJohn

Lick Creek Trail: A Lepidopterist's Dream

Lick Creek Trail, Hoosier National Forest

On Saturday, June 6th, I picked the Lick Creek Trail from the list on the HNF web site mainly for being the right length. At just under 8 miles, Lick Creek is long enough for a full afternoon and offers a variety of terrain and habitat. On this particular day, it also provided me with the widest variety of butterfly species that I can ever remember spotting in one day on any trail in Kentuckiana. In particular, my all time favorite butterfly to photogra… Continue

Posted by GonzoJohn on June 12, 2009 at 9:30pm

GonzoJohn

June 6th: National Trails Day

The first Saturday of every June is designated National Trails Day in the United States. On that day every year more than a million hikers, walkers and others take part in thousands of events nationwide in celebration of America’s trails.

Get outdoors today and enjoy your local hiking trails!

Posted by GonzoJohn on June 6, 2009 at 8:08am

GonzoJohn

Meet the Orioles: East and West Trails

While heading to the German Ridge trail in Hoosier National Forest, I was enticed off of Indiana State Highway 66 by the Oriole trailhead turn off. Pulling into the large parking area, I was struck by the number of hitching posts in the parking lot.

This was my first experience with a true “multi-use” trail in Hoosier National Forest (HNF), and as many hikers might agree, I wasn't very happy. Before I get to that, let's break down the trails.

The Oriole twin trails in HNF include the West and… Continue

Posted by GonzoJohn on June 2, 2009 at 1:00pm

GonzoJohn

A Post from the Past: Winter Hiking in the Smokies: Meigs Creek Trail

I didn't post it here, but I thought you might enjoy it:

One of the things you should look for in a day hike in the Smokies is water. It might be your destination (a waterfall), or it could define your path, but when water is near, you will see some interesting things no matter what the season. With that in mind, we perused our options in the Little Brown Book, and we decided on the Meigs Creek trail for our Saturday hike, a 3.5 mile one way trail to the junction of the Meigs Mountain and Lumbe… Continue

Posted by GonzoJohn on May 31, 2009 at 9:47pm — 5 Comments

 

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GonzoJohn

Trail Fungi 1 Reply

Morels are easy because nothing else looks quite like them, but chanterelles are a little tougher. I think they are in abundance in my area, but I'm not quite sure. Anyone out there know a little a...

Started by GonzoJohn in Wilderness Tips and Tricks. Last reply by GonzoJohn 13 minutes ago.

jamie hale

Survival Weekend

Survival Weekend By Jamie Hale This article originally appeared in Wilderness Way Volume 14, Issue 4 Imagine spending the night outside when it’s 13 degrees the wind is blowing at 20 M.P.H. and i...

Started by jamie hale in Outdoor Gear Jun 15.

salmonlov

Lunch Potluck on Deep Creek Hot Springs Hike

Date/Time 6/20/2009 9:30 AM (Saturday) Location for meetup Silverwood Country Store 12077 US Highway 138 Hesperia Ca 92345 Cost Free Parking. Free COME AND JOIN US FOR THE FUN SAT! Hi, People,...

Tagged: bath!, warm/hot, nice, Feel, like

Started by salmonlov in Current Events Jun 15.

SouthernHiker.com

Roadtrip West and Back 7 Replies

Hi all, I wanted to seek some advice for those that have been out west. Next week, I'm leaving for a two week trip to Yellowstone, Grand Canyon, Utah, and everything else between Georgia and there...

Started by SouthernHiker.com in Trips, Trails and Locations. Last reply by SouthernHiker.com Jun 6.

GonzoJohn

All Purpose Trail Knife 32 Replies

I'm shopping for lightweight all-purpose trail knife and would like suggestions since there are so many brands and types. I know it should have a lockable blade with a square back. Other than that...

Tagged: Knives

Started by GonzoJohn in Outdoor Gear. Last reply by James S May 28.

Kevin

Hiking/Climbing injuries 15 Replies

Hey everyone. I kind of was just interested who has gotten injured on trail. route, or paddle? I am still young and have much left to see, but I certainly have seen my fair share of injuries outdo...

Tagged: injuries, climbing, Hiking

Started by Kevin in Wilderness Tips and Tricks. Last reply by gabriel May 7.

Kyle Cozzens

Careers 19 Replies

Just wondering what everyone does for their career. I am currently majoring in Adventure Sports where we train to be outdoor leaders. Some of the classes include Wilderness First Responder, Eastern...

Started by Kyle Cozzens in Outdoor Sports. Last reply by Joshua Cocks May 3.

Greg

Stalking M3GAN 1 Reply

As many of you know our very own M3GAN is thru hiking the PCT this year. I've been trying to keep in touch with her as she goes and will try to keep everyone updated as best I can. She had planned ...

Started by Greg in Trips, Trails and Locations. Last reply by Tobin May 2.

jamie hale

Interview with Graham Averill

Interview i conducted with Graham Averill (associate editor Blue Ridge Outdoors Magazine) http://www.maxcondition.com/page.php?13 Hale

Started by jamie hale in Outdoor Sports May 1.

M3GAN

Video Camera Suggestions 14 Replies

I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions of a HD video camera with a long battery life that I could use on an upcoming thru-hike. Weight is also important. Any suggestions would be greatly app...

Started by M3GAN in Photos, Videos and Music. Last reply by James S Apr 30.

John Smith

Emergency Gear - What do you carry? 17 Replies

What do you carry? Why? What could you stop carrying?

Started by John Smith in Outdoor Gear. Last reply by Coty Apr 22.

Kevin

Encounters with the wild. 36 Replies

Hey, who here has had some real bad ass experiences watching or encountering a wild animal. I live in bear country so, they are seen quite often, unfortunately never when i have my camera available...

Started by Kevin in Wilderness Tips and Tricks. Last reply by Coty Apr 15.

jamie hale

New to forum 7 Replies

I discovered the forum today after seeing the link in Johnny Molloy's newlsetter. I must say I am very impressed. I look forward to learning, discussing and contributing to the site. I am an avid o...

Started by jamie hale in Outdoor Gear. Last reply by jamie hale Apr 13.

jamie hale

Interview with Johnny Molloy (outdoor writer)

I recently had a chance to interview outdoor writer Johnny Molloy Excerpt from interview Outdoor survival seems to be a relatively popular topic. Have you ever considered writing a book on that t...

Started by jamie hale in Outdoor Gear Apr 10.

Amy

Backpacking Old Logger's Path, PA, Memorial Day 2009

Just wondering if anyone else would be interested in hiking this with me! I've never been. I hike pretty slowly, would like to do the whole loop in 3.5 days. I posted more details on my adventure ...

Tagged: memorial, pennsylvania, day, 2009, backpacking

Started by Amy in Trips, Trails and Locations Apr 8.

Kevin Wilber

A Long Term Trip 1 Reply

I'm planning on backpacking to Florida this summer and then hiking the A.T. the next spring. Has anyone here ever done a long term trip? Any advice would be great.

Started by Kevin Wilber in Trips, Trails and Locations. Last reply by Random Walker Apr 3.

Dahlia

Social Northeast Group 2 Replies

Does anyone hike, do other outdoor activities in or near Massachusetts particulary in the Berkshires region?? I am looking for some people to start a social hiking group, open to anything.

Tagged: outdoor, hiking, Berkshires, Massachusetts

Started by Dahlia in Trips, Trails and Locations. Last reply by Dahlia Mar 31.

Jesse DeMent

Food!! 26 Replies

My son and I just got back from an overnighter, and when it came time to eat, I pulled out the dry food mix and added the water. YUK!!! Those things are bad, they taste like foam, not that I have e...

Started by Jesse DeMent in Wilderness Tips and Tricks. Last reply by Ann E Darling Mar 24.

Scuba6801

Online Retailers 8 Replies

I am looking to see if there are other online retailers that people use other than the big guys such as REI and Campmor and such. Any of your local outfitters have websites? I like to support the ...

Started by Scuba6801 in Outdoor Gear. Last reply by Dan Eubank Lafuma Millet Rep Mar 16.

benjamin

hiking and camping necessities 15 Replies

here is a list of a few things i can think of that i personally carry on a 2-4 night trip. small stove, waterproof case of matches, dry socks, small knife or utility knife, water purifier or table...

Started by benjamin in Outdoor Gear. Last reply by Paul Sheehan Mar 5.

 
 

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Latest Activity

GonzoJohn replied to GonzoJohn's discussion 'Trail Fungi'13 minutes ago
I actually spotted bunches of these in much better condition on a rainy hike July 5th.
GonzoJohn added a discussionyesterday
Trail Fungi
Morels are easy because nothing else looks quite like them, but chanterelles are a little tougher. I think they are in abundance in my area, but I'm not quite sure. Anyone out there know a little about identifying edible fungi? Check out these pic...
Joshua Cocks commented on James S's video 'hailstorm'on Friday
Yeh, it's our biggest problem in Queensland. We get hailstones the size of cricket balls (baseballs). There's no real protection other than hiding under a log or my backpack.
James S commented on James S's video 'hailstorm'on Thursday
hailstorm from a powerful thunderstorm last week in pocatello, id. what started out as a wonderful morning and early afternoon quickly turned bad. over a 2 hour period it dropped hail ranging from 1/4 " to 1 inch in diameter and 2 1/2 inches of ra...
James S added a videoon Thursday
hailstorm
03:39
GonzoJohn added 6 photoson Thursday
2 more…
GonzoJohn added 2 blog postson Thursday
Zia Hasan commented on Zia Hasan's photo 'Bare'on Wednesday
Thanks Walker, really appreciate you dropping a comment here.
Random Walker commented on Zia Hasan's photo 'Bare'on Wednesday
Most excellent!
Joshua Cocks replied to Rory Partalis's discussion 'Tricks of No Impact Camping' in the group Leave No Trace Campingon Tuesday
We actually do positive impact camping by collecting any rubbish we find on the way. We just have to be careful as there is the risk of needles, spiders, and other nasties when collecting rubbish.
Zia Hasan joined Kevin's groupJune 29
Outdoor Photography
For anybody that likes to capture those moments of being outdoors.
Zia Hasan added 8 photosJune 29
4 more…
Shalmali Rao joined Rory Partalis's groupJune 29
Leave No Trace Camping
Join this group if you support Low Impact Camping. Leave the wilderness better than you found it.
Joshua Cocks replied to Tobin's discussion 'sleeping pads' in the group Gear HeadsJune 28
I just converted to the Exped DownMat Pump 7. I have back problems and have trouble sleeping through the night. It should help. I'm having troubles justifying the weight. It's 1068 grams. But in the end, I get a bad back sleeping on just a thermar...
GonzoJohn added 2 songsJune 27
  •  play So Lonely - The Police
  •  play Sexy MF - Prince

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