travel light, wake early, walk far
The black bear growled loudly, freezing me in my tracks. Seeing bears in the Appalachian mountains is common; having them growl at me is not. For a moment, I considered standing very still and quiet, hoping the bear was growling at something other then me. I then considered running down the trail to make an... Continue Reading →
I slept fitfully. After most backpacking trips, when exhaustion meets a hot shower and then a soft bed at home, I sleep like an otter—the small mammal known for sleeping 11 hours at a time. Last night was different. I quickly fell asleep early, but I dreamt I was walking through cornrows in a farm.... Continue Reading →
Despite the balmy 80 degree temperature in the woods surrounding Lake Fairfax, the campfire blazed hot and bright. On this 15th Anniversary of DCUL, over 40 DCULers sat riveted on surrounding picnic tables. Evan (“Whiskey-Fairy”) grabbed a microphone to commemorate the founding and history of the most extreme and active backpacking club in the nation.... Continue Reading →
“Take your pick: heavy water, beaver water, or sweaty Russian water.” — Anonymous. For the 5th year in a row, DCUL sponsored the running of the Tour de Sods in the Dolly Sods Wilderness and the adjacent Roaring Plains Wilderness. One of the most popular backpacking adventures of the year, the trip filled up with prospective... Continue Reading →
You’ve probably heard of us. They are calling us the “Kennedy Peak Four.” I always hated that tag. To my ears it makes us sound like a boy band, as in: “Now opening for the Backstreet Boys, the Kennedy Peak Four!” However, I cannot deny the national interest in us. Most of what you’ve read... Continue Reading →
DC UL Backpacking 