That Bearded Hiker

I give a brief history of the AT along with news about our Southbound thru-hike.

Join me as as talk the Blackalachian about his journey into the outdoors, his many outdoor adventures, and his perspective on race issues in the outdoor community.

Backpacks:

Three types: External frame, Internal frame, and frameless

--External Frame:

Pros: Cheaper than internal frame models; great ventilation; good for carrying heavy loads on nice, even trails.

Cons: Heavy; not as stable in off-trail conditions; larger profile means it’s tougher to squeeze through tight gaps;

-Internal Frame

Pros: A closer fit means more stability when traversing uneven or rugged terrain; usually have thicker, more comfortable shoulder straps than frameless models; greater inner storage space means you have less strapped to the outside of your pack, thus less chance of snagging gear on branches, bushes, etc.

Cons: No ventilation between hiker’s back and pack; fancier, larger models tend to be on the expensive side; heavier than frameless packs.

-Frameless:

Pros: Simple; lightweight; ideal for smaller loads.

Cons: Minimum support if packed indiscriminately; uncomfortable if carrying heavy loads for extended periods.

Shelters:

-Three types: Freestanding tents, non-freestanding tents, and hammocks

-Freestanding Tents

Pros: More Versatile – can be put up anywhere, Faster setup initially, Easily moveable, Can be put up in a shelter/on a tent platform, Trekking poles / additional gear unnecessary, Can be picked up and shaken to clean out debris, Sturdier, More space inside usually, Bigger vestibule

Cons: More prone to bad weather conditions, esp. Wind, Heavier, More complicated assembly overall (debatable)

-Non-Freestanding Tents

Pros: Lighter, Easier to repair/find replacements, Faster set up once you are used to it, More Windproof

Cons: Stakes may come out, Doesn’t work on gravel, rock, poor surfaces, Harder to set up at first, Hard to move if your location is poor, May require you to have trekking poles, Less sturdy, Less space inside usually

-Side Note: Double wall vs Single wall

Most freestanding tents are double-walled, meaning that they have a separate rainfly. Many non-freestanding tent options are now trying a single-walled design, though (the rainfly is the roof of your tent). This saves on weight but can have some downsides as well.

-Double Wall

Pro: Less condensation on the inside, More ventilation, and Cooler

Cons: More complicated design, More seams = less waterproof (debatable), Permeable bottom that requires a footprint, Cooler

-Single Wall

Pros: Less complicated design, Fewer seams = more waterproof (debatable), Fewer seams = more waterproof (debatable), Warmer

Cons: Less ventilation, More condensation, and Warmer

-Hammocks

Pros: Easy to Set-Up(debatable), Comfortable, Leave No Trace(ground), Can double as a camp chair

Cons: Quality vs Money, Getting used to suspended sleeping, cold(need insulation)

Sleep Systems

-Types of sleep systems: Sleeping Pads, Sleeping Bags, and Quilts

Sleeping Pads

-Types of sleeping pads: Foldable, self-inflating, inflatable

-Foldable pads

Pros: light, cheap, easily packed

Cons: not much padding, wears down quickly

-Self-Inflating

Pros: easily packs down, easy setup, light

Cons: not much padding, not good for side sleepers(hips)

-Inflating

Pros: very comfortable, keeps your body farther away from the ground, warmer(debatable)

Cons: heavier, bulkier, pump needed to blow up pad, could get a small hole easily

Sleeping Bags and double sleeping bags.

Quilts

Pros: They are compact and lighter than sleeping bags. They are versatile. You can use them as a cover, or strap them down for extra warmth. They come with down or synthetic fill. They are not restrictive.

Cons: They don’t wrap all the way around your body, so your back might get cold. In frigid temperatures, you may need extra protection for your head.

Leave No Trace:

-What is Leave No Trace?

Website: https://www.lnt.org/

Philosophy

Organization: LNT Center for Outdoor Ethics

-Problems LNT tackles.:

Trashed Natural Areas

Polluted Water

Misinformation about the Outdoors

Wildlife at Risk

Damaged Trails

Destructive Fires

Connecting Youth to Nature

Crowded Parks

-The 7 Principles(Framework of minimal impact practices)

LNT 7 Principals

-Principle 1: Plan Ahead and Prepare

-Why Is Trip Planning Important?.

-Elements to Consider:

Weather

Terrain

Regulations/restrictions

Private land boundaries

Average hiking speed of the group and anticipated food consumption (leftovers create waste which leaves a trace!)

Group size (does it meet regulations, trip purpose, and Leave No Trace criteria?)

-Example of Poor Planning- Sipsey Trip

-Principal 2: Travel & Camp on Durable Surfaces

Travel on Trails: Trails are designed to keep from scaring the landscape. Provide space for other hikers. (may change to include social distancing measures during COVID-19)

Traveling off-trail-  Remote areas, bathroom privacy, and campsite exploring. Factors that affect the land. Durability refers to the ability of surfaces or vegetation to withstand wear or remain in a stable condition(Rocks vs Ice/Snow). Frequency of use and large group size increases the likelihood that a large area will be trampled, or that a small area will be trampled multiple times.

Camp on Durable Surfaces: High-use Areas vs. Undisturbed Remote Areas

-Principal 3:Dispose of Waste Properly

Trash: Pack in and Pack-out

Human Waste: Bury or Pack Out

Cat Holes: 6-8 deep/4-6 in wide, 200 ft (70 steps) away from water, 75-100 ft off-trail/away from the campsite.

Toilet Paper: Only bury if plain, white, and non-perfumed.

Tampons: Pack Out

Urine: Wildlife

Wastewater: 200 feet away from water.

Soaps and Lotions: 200 feet away from water.

-Principal 4: Leave what you find.

Minimize Site Alterations

Avoid Damaging Live Trees and Plants

Leave Natural Objects and Cultural Artifacts

-Principal 5:Minimize Campfire Impacts

Should You Build a Fire?

Lessening Impacts When Campfires Are Used

Firewood and Cleanup

-Principle 6: Respect Wildlife

Do not disturb wildlife or plants just for a “better look.”

Travel quietly and do not pursue, feed, or force animals to flee.

-Principle 7: Be Considerate of Other Visitors

Technology

Trail Traffic(people, bikes,  and equestrians)

Pets

In this episode, I briefly discuss some great outdoor spaces in Mississippi. 

Natchez Trace Parkway 1938-2005(Columbian Highway)

History(Migration of Herds of Bison, hunter-gatherers and mound builders, Native Tribes: Chickasaw, Choctaw, and Natchez., Kaintucks, and US Army.

Activities: Hike(65 miles), Bike(thru-bike), camping, mounds, etc.

Book: Guide to the Natchez Trace https://amzn.to/2YcCfe2

Website: https://www.nps.gov/natr/index.htm

Tishomingo State Park(1935-1939 worked on, opened in 1939)-Located right off the Natchez Trace Parkway in Tishomingo County the Northeastern most county in MS and also in the foothills of Appalachian Mountains.

History: Named after Chief Tishomingo of the Chickasaw Nation. Recent archeological finds place Paleo Indians there 7000 BC.

Activities: hiking, rock climbing, camping, frisbee golf, swimming, and kayaking

Website: https://www.mdwfp.com/parks-destinations/state-parks/tishomingo

Red Bluffs(Little Grand Canyon)- Foxworth, MS (Marion County)Highway 587

History: privately owned, geologic formation caused by the Pearl River, because of the erosion Highway 587 moved twice.

Activites: hike down into the formation and out to the Pearl River

Clark Creek Natural Area: Woodville, MS(Southwest MS)

History: Preserved and founded in 1978, 700 acres and 50 waterfalls(10-30ft)

Activities: Hiking and photography

Nature-uncommon trees (Southern sugar maple, serviceberry, umbrella tree, pyramid magnolia, chinquapin oak, big leaf snowball, silverbell, and witch-hazel) Endangered species- Carolina Magnolia Vine and Southern redbelly dace(fish).

Website: https://www.mdwfp.com/parks-destinations/state-parks/clark-creek

Noxubee Hills Trail System (Choctaw Lake)-Located in Winston County and Choctaw County, MS

History: The Nox(unknown) 100-acre lake

Activities: hiking, swimming, biking, camping, backpacking, and fishing

Send me some of your experiences with the outdoors in Mississippi

Website: https://www.hikinginmississippi.com/?page_id=387

Leave a voice message for me: https://anchor.fm/thatbeardedhiker/message

My wife Kaci and I discuss the benefits of hiking along with risks to be aware of. We also scratch the surface on what you need to make the leap to the outdoors.

Follow That Bearded Hiker:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thatbeardedhiker/

Instagram: http://instagram.com/thatbeardedhiker

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3mGnK6AYOHQ1k8eEvc33SA

Twitter: https://twitter.com/datbeardedhiker

Show Notes:

Intro to That Bearded Hike (00:35)

Benefits of Hiking (04:56)

Risks of Hiking (19:15)

Getting Started (24:30)

Shoes and clothes (25:02)

Website for Mississippi hikers: https://www.hikinginmississippi.com/ 

Leave No Trace Principles: https://www.nps.gov/articles/leave-no-trace-seven-principles.htm

Leave me a voice message:

https://anchor.fm/thatbeardedhiker/message