The few brave souls following this upstart blog over the last week have seen more change than a sidewalk musician.

To my early followers:  THANK YOU for sticking with me as I get my ducks in a row.  I have big plans for this blog and will be counting on each of you to help build this community into a valuable piece of the hiking/backpacking/adventure/travel/outdoors blogosphere.  Check back later today for a detailed look at my initial plans for content and outreach in the coming weeks/months.  I think you’ll be excited to see what we’ll be offering on a regular basis here at the ‘sauce.

P.s.  If you haven’t already, leave me a comment to let me know you’re a real person and not a search bot.  Feel free to let me know what you think so far, as well as what type of content you’d like to see.  I’m also looking for people to contribute and will be posting detailed stlye/content guidelines as soon as I can.

If recent advances in moisture wiking fabrics have not made your hike more comfortable, probably nothing will. Unless, of course, you take off all your clothes (bow chicka bow wowwww). If you want to give it a try, head to Switzerland where it’s apparently okay to hike nude. Not only will you be super comfortable, for some it may also act as the most effective mammal-deterrent ever.

I’ve long been a fan of Sierra’s tents (and by that I mean I bought one for my ill-fated 2006 near-attempt at an AT thru-hike and used it in the wild exactly once).  Seriously, though, the company’s reputation that prompted my purchase is well-deserved, and Outdoorzy.com’s first-ever “Gearzy” award for favorite tent manufacturer makes me even more proud to own one — even though it’s spent most of its life in it’s sack or set up in my basement.

Read full story here…

Buy a a Sierra Designs tent by clicking here.

(Note: Orginally posted by author on trailjournals.com 5/3/2004)

Two days ’til we leave for Luray, VA. Where is Luray you ask? Damned if I know. West of Shenandoah National Park I think–a mere 3.5 hours WSW of Wilmington, DE. My hiking pal Dave (trail name not known yet) and I will be catching an afternoon Phillies game then heading out to a 1-star rated motel in Luray to spend the night most likely surrounded by grungy truckers, other hikers and assorted pay by-the-hour “professionals” named Wanda wearing short skirts. After that the plan is to catch a quick breakfast at the local greasy spoon at the crack of dawn then hit the trail early.

I have my pack, sleeping bag and some accessories. I still need to pack clothes, buy food, and also purchase a pair of boots. I know what you’re thinking…new boots + 30-mile hike = blisters from hell. Yeah, I know, and I realize the stupidity in this, but I’m doing it anyway.