Comments on: About My Backpacking Blog

By: jane

jane — Sat, 04 Sep 2010 14:34:13 +0000

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!

By: Erik The Black

Erik The Black — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 06:48:32 +0000

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.

By: Barry Silver

Barry Silver — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 15:39:38 +0000

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

By: dani

dani — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 15:58:00 +0000

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

By: Todd

Todd — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 22:09:32 +0000

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

By: Lunchbox

Lunchbox — Fri, 04 Jun 2010 19:24:41 +0000

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

By: Edgar

Edgar — Wed, 05 May 2010 10:04:45 +0000

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

By: Erik The Black

Erik The Black — Fri, 23 Apr 2010 00:33:05 +0000

@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/

By: Meir

Meir — Tue, 20 Apr 2010 02:21:54 +0000

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

By: Grampa Kilt

Grampa Kilt — Sat, 17 Apr 2010 15:42:03 +0000

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