About My Backpacking Blog

05. Jan, 2010 17 Comments

Erik the Black

Erik the Black

Welcome!

I created this blog to share my adventures on America’s scenic hiking trails, provide tips and advice for ultralight backpacking, promote my hiking maps and guidebooks and connect with fellow hikers. I hope you enjoy this blog and I look forward to your comments and meeting you out on the trail.

Happy trails!
Erik the Black

17 Responses to “About My Backpacking Blog”

  1. Michel Orchard 03. Feb, 2010 at 1:43 pm

    Just oredered your map set for the pct in total… looks like a simple, compact and usufull mapset.

    Must have been fun putting it together…. Trying to get time off work with two other guys to hike it…(I will be 60 at that time… Yikes!)

    thanks..

    Mike O.

  2. Erik The Black 03. Feb, 2010 at 8:40 pm

    Hi Mike,

    Thanks for ordering a PCT Atlas. It was a lot of fun (and a lot of work) to do. I’ll be back out on the trail this year working on the next (3rd) edition. Hope to see ya out there!

  3. Pat Combee 05. Feb, 2010 at 4:43 pm

    Loved the PCT trail maps! Have mine framed and in my “backpack” room.
    If you ever decide to come east for a hike, let me know. I have a few secret stashes you might like.

  4. Erik The Black 06. Feb, 2010 at 1:46 pm

    Hi Pat, Glad you like the maps. The Appalachian Trail is definitely on my “to-do” list. Hopefully I will be heading out east in the next couple of years. I’ll look ya up.

  5. Dicentra 12. Feb, 2010 at 11:14 am

    Hey! Thanks for the link!! See you at KO! :)

  6. Thomas 26. Feb, 2010 at 4:20 am

    Hi Erik

    I alredy own your complete Atlas pack, and plan to use it in 2012. When you write about the 3rd edition, will this be a major update with new features?

    If so, will there be a dicounted upgrade?

    Happy hiking

    Thomas

  7. Erik The Black 26. Feb, 2010 at 10:06 am

    @Thomas: Yes, the 3rd Edition will be the “next generation” of PCT Atlas with new features and improvements and I do plan to offer a discount to existing PCT Atlas customers.

  8. Grampa Kilt 17. Apr, 2010 at 8:42 am

    Hi ETB
    I remember your trail magic offer of a ride back to the trailhead from BB in 2008. What made it memorable was cramming 6 other hikers into your jeep as well! I didn’t make it all the way then, but will give it another go in 2011. How could I not purchase your Atlases. Excellent product. Godspeed on you and yours PCT hike this year. GK

  9. Meir 19. Apr, 2010 at 7:21 pm

    Hey Erik,

    Enjoyed watching your Trail Food Video, very insightful.

    Once you decided to do the PCT how did you train for it?

    I am totally out of shape and am ashamed to admit it, but currently I get winded walking up my stairs or taking a short walk with a 15 lb pack.

    take care,

    Meir

  10. Erik The Black 22. Apr, 2010 at 5:33 pm

    @Grandpa Kilt: Hey, Good to hear from you again! I remember that ride too. That was fun.

    @Meir: Don’t feel bad. Most hikers I know (including myself) tend to neglect training during the off-season in favor of sitting around drinking beer and hot chocolate.

    Even if you are out of shape when you start hiking the trail tends whip you into shape pretty quickly (as long as you have the mental fortitude to keep going in the beginning when it’s hardest).

    Of course if you want to do the responsible thing there are some good ways to train for hiking beforehand.

    Here is an article I wrote with some training suggestions:
    http://blackwoodspress.com/blog/1403/5-backpacking-training-workouts/

  11. Edgar 05. May, 2010 at 3:04 am

    Erik,
    Love your blog!
    I hike a lot but rarely thru hiking (life doesn’t allow…).
    You shed light on thru hiking from all angles. You cover issues and a down to earth manner that can help both beginners and folks that already walked a mile or two…

    Keep on walking!

    Edgar

  12. Lunchbox 04. Jun, 2010 at 12:24 pm

    I will be thru hiking the PCT next year (2011). I am getting very excited. Do you think your 3rd ed. will be available by then. I am really enjoying your blog by the way. It is really comprehensive and very informative. I have heard/read great things about your atlas as well. Can’t wait to check it out.

    Thanks for all your hard work,

    Lunchbox

  13. Todd 14. Jun, 2010 at 3:09 pm

    Hi Eric,

    I new to backpacking and just stumbled across your site. Thanks for the wealth of information. I was happy to notice you’re located not far from me so, I assume most of your techniques apply well to the surrounding area. I’m located in the high desert but backpack mostly along the PCT for now. My first big trip will be in August (JMT) so I’m currently training to prep for a rather agressive pace. Of course I plan to order your atlas before departing. If you get a chance to repair the link at: http://blackwoodspress.com/blog/1403/5-backpacking-training-workouts/ I’d like to use it for my next two months of training. Thanks again for all your efforts,

    Todd

  14. dani 22. Jul, 2010 at 8:58 am

    such a nice blog…
    someday, someway, u have to try to hike in indonesia. there are many volcano here…
    thx…

  15. Barry Silver 11. Aug, 2010 at 8:39 am

    m looking for a 500 mile stretch to do on horseback — 2011 or 2012 — at first glance start at yosemite and work north — any suggestions much appreciated

  16. Erik The Black 31. Aug, 2010 at 11:48 pm

    Barry, if I was going to do 500 miles I would probably do Kennedy Meadows to Sierra City, or Timberline Lodge to the Canada border. I think those are the most scenic stretches of the PCT.

  17. jane 04. Sep, 2010 at 7:34 am

    Hi i just discovered your maps and the set is no longer available. Will you be publishing again? Perusing here there is a third addition coming out. Any ideas on when that might be? Thanks much!

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