Lovie Price

My First Solo Multi-Night Backpack Trip

Posted on April 30, 2026 by Lovie Price

The first day was sunny and warm with beautiful views of a wetlands, and some boulder areas that were pretty stunning.I was hiking at a fairly normal pace of about 2mph and enjoying it very much.Sure, my pack was heavy, but the terrain was fairly flat, not boggy that day and a pleasant walk through the forest.I got to see the first landmark that day as well- huge boulders with lots of crevices and cracks to explore. But only 4 hours into it, I hadn’t seen my partner most of the day so i was concerned. I texted her and got the response that she had decided to leave the trail. Honestly, I don’t know the reason for sure. She stated her cellphone was draining quickly, her camera had stopped working and she was frustrated, and “over it”, so she had turned around and went back to her car. She wasn’t going to stay on the trip. I had not anticipated this, and many people have strong feelings about this, but I have decided not to assume anything about it. Once I knew she was safe, I continued on.

I was about 2 miles from where we had parked my car- a trailhead that was 0.45 miles from our first chosen campsite. I hiked to the car , took a break, gathered myself mentally and headed down to the site. The area was gorgeous with mossy covered roots and boulders, fallen trees laden with pretty fungi, a clear flowing stream only a few yards away with a nice roomy, level area to set up my tent. I scooped and filtered some fresh cool water and drank my fill. I looked around to avoid any widow-makers, insect activity or damp earth and set up my tent. I cooked my first meal of the day- a concoction of instant mashed potatoes with stuffing- which only required boiling water and stirring. This is my go-to backpacking meal. It’s delicious, warm in my belly, easy to make and cheap! I blew up my air mattress, attached my new sleep quilt, and changed into my camp/sleep clothes. Before it got dark I scoped out the area further- checking for signs of animal ( especially bear) activity.I saw nothing scary, but there was a large root with a definite animal den about 30 yards away. It didn’t look large enough for bears. I also found a box shaped marker and nature cam downstream, but thankfully it wasn’t facing me. About 200 yards away there was an abandoned tarp of some sort- I called out to see if anyone was around but heard no reply. I was pretty close to the trail as well- maybe 50 yards away and by a small wooden bridge. I saw no one hike by while I was there.

As the sun set, I sat in my chair inhaling the wonderful forest scents and just relaxing. No fires were allowed this time of year so when it got dark, I climbed into my tent and lay there until around 1030pm just being lazy and listening to the sounds of nature. At some point I fell asleep, despite large flocks of loud geese nearby making a racket at times. Sometime before midnight, I was awakened by a very loud strange pulsating animal sound. I lay still for a minute and heard it once more. I had no idea what it was. But at the time, I didn’t hear any footsteps or branches breaking, and i didn’t think i was in danger. I wasn’t scared and I was tired so I just turned over and went back to sleep. Nothing bad happened. Whatever it was went away. Later though, when I got home, I researched this on Youtube and – wow- it was highly likely that it was a bear, and very close to my tent.

In the morning I ate breakfast and packed up listening to the birds singing. Then set out for the second leg of the hike.After crossing the first landmark- a fairly long swinging bridge- the first mile or so was pretty level and easy. Then came the dreaded hill. Now, this hill wasn’t that long- maybe 400ft or so, and not terribly difficult, it but it’s fairly steep. I know I suck at uphill and after hiking over 8 miles the day before with that heavy backpack, I knew it was gonna suck. And it did. I had to count my steps ( 521 to be exact) to distract myself, and I pretty much stopped every 50 steps or so for about 10 seconds to catch my breath. It hasn’t yet been a year since I quit smoking completely, and quite frankly, I hadn’t trained as much as I should have prior to the trip. I know 400 ft doesn’t sound like a lot, but with 28 pounds on your back, at almost 60 years old, after hiking the day before- it can be brutal. But I made it. The rest of the hike that day was through beautiful meadow areas and thick forests with amazing diversity in both terrain and wildlife. It felt like forever but I finally reached my destination. The famous shelter in the area. Only, there was no shelter- it had recently burned down- bummer! I found a great campsite, however, once again by a nicely flowing clear stream. It was a sweet spot- surrounded by coniferous trees, level and overlooking the water. The only problem was lots of big black ants that I had to take care didn’t get into my food or tent. Those suckers were quick, but I managed to keep them at bay. I did the usual camp chores, made dinner and relaxed in my chair, then into my tent and easily drifted off into a peaceful slumber.. just watching the warm gentle breezes blowing through and absorbing my surroundings. I slept solidly from 6pm until 430am. No weird sounds in the night at all. In fact, the forest was still quiet when i awoke for the first hour. It was dark outside as I gathered water and prepared my breakfast.

I packed up and said my goodbyes to my home for the night. Around 8am I hiked the last 2.7 miles to my car. The trail was extremely boggy and my shoes finally got drenched in mud. But I didn’t care. I was completely serene and zen, riding a high of the last 2 days and nights. The closer I got to may car, however, the more I noticed “regular” life come rushing back. Never before had I noticed how unnaturally fast and hectic our normal lives are or thought about how much humans were not meant to live at this pace. I noticed the anxiety returning. But, I will say that when I finally sat my pack down on that car seat, I was happy. I had done “the thing”. And I didn’t even notice the 2 hour drive home.

I wish I had better words to describe how I felt about this trip. It was wild. The level of peace I found out there is something I will be chasing for as long as my body will allow. It was amazing.

And I can’t wait to do it again.

Namaste.

If My First Backpack Trip Had Been Easy…

Posted on April 29, 2026 by Lovie Price

I would never have learned strong I really am, or the crazy high of doing things I never dreamed I could do.

Why am I posting this? Because I just got back from my 4th backpack trip (ever), and it was- shall I say- “next level”. Not because it was super long, or super hard. I did not go through a sudden monsoon like the first one, or a drought like the last one, or more than expected elevation like the one in between. It wasn’t because any of my gear failed, I didn’t forget anything or lose it, nor face bears, cougars or rattlesnakes.Well, maybe a bear but that’s another story. Here is what happened.

I started out a planned trip with a friend. It was the same friend I have backpacked with before, camped with and hiked with. I like her, we get along, we can laugh and have fun. While I originally was going to do this trail myself, her and I decided probably back in November that we would do this together. So, when the time came we did our usual thing- some back & forth over dates, how long we wanted to be out there, bring our stoves or not, etc., etc., etc.Even up until the night before I was still working out alternate routes and ideas for seeing the highlights while still having a bail out plan for the weather forecast ( nice the 1st day, maybe rain the 2nd, and 100% chance of rain the 3rd day). We talked about pack weight and finalized trail head to meet at. You know, the usual. The last text was “We will figure it( the route and campsite) out when we get there (smiley face).” I didn’t know how ironic this statement would become.

The first 2 times we backpacked, we had some issues. The main one being our very different pace. She is like a toddler gazelle on trail, and I’m kinda like a fidgety sloth. I go slow and stop a lot to play around with my backpack, film, take pics, put socks or jackets off or on. She does film and take pics, but in a much more stealth manner. So, 2 different styles. It became stressful for both of us. So, this time I wanted it all to go as smoothly as possible. I wanted neither of us to feel pressured.

We arrived and started out parking a car at 2 different trailheads so we had options, finding our first campsite and then starting out together. We agreed we would go at our own pace, not worry about waiting or trying to catch up or when we made it to camp. However, I wound up missing a turn at one point and had to backtrack, while at the same time her camera stopped working and her phone battery was draining super fast from having to check Alltrails constantly- most of this because the trail we started on had less than visible blazes and were not that close together.

To make a long story short, we got separated and hadn’t seen each other most of the day. And at 230pm I found out she had left the trail and wasn’t coming back. Needless to say, this left me alone– on trail for 3 days and 2 nights in the wild. Before I go on, let me say- it was fine. I was ok, and I could have easily chosen to leave that day as well rather than continue. I wasn’t mad, just kind of in shock.

For many people, this would have been a disaster at worst, and a disappointment at best. But at no time did I even consider going home. Yes, I was disappointed and wished that hadn’t happened. But I had already taken the time off work. My shifts were covered and I wasn’t getting paid either way. I had planned for weeks, bought new gear, drove 2 hours each way( paying a large amount for turnpike tolls) and I was more than halfway through the trail for the day. The campsite we picked was literally less than 2 miles from my car at that point. There was no way I wasn’t doing this. I had never imagined I would be suddenly facing a multi-day backpacking trip solo so early on. But I was. And weirdly enough, I was prepared and fully ready to tackle it.

And I did fine. Better than fine. I wasn’t scared. I wasn’t lonely or bored. It was actually very peaceful, and enjoyed 95% of the trip-there are always a few things that you don’t like. For instance my 2nd campsite had lots of black ants. Yuck.

Once I finished I felt awesome. I had done it, on my own. I had met my goal way earlier than I thought I would. I had planned to maybe do something like this mid summer after a few more camping trips, this trip and some meet ups to gather information, etc. Maybe not even until next year. But, sometimes, an unexpected challenge becomes and opportunity for growth and new experiences. And if the first few trips had been easy, or I had not done them, I probably would have left and just put it off.

What i’m trying to say here is that you can do hard things. You can push yourself, take a chance, survive, and even thrive- to come out a better person- a stronger , more confident person. Not all bad things are actually “bad things”. I had a wonderful adventure, which I would like to share in my next post. I hope you will read that one too. For now, just do something out of your comfort zone this year. Face a fear, challenge yourself. Roll with it.

The worst that can happen? I don’t know. But I do know life is too short not to live, and sometimes you just have to figure stuff out when you get there. But don’t put it off or quit just because it’s not going as planned. I guarantee you’ll regret it . As i recently heard someone say-

“Someday” is a lie. It’s a false timeline.”

Just do it.

Namaste.

Spring is Springing- 10 Ways to Save Weight in Your Pack

Posted on April 22, 2026April 22, 2026 by Lovie Price

Hey ya’ll! The season has officially begun! I did my first camping of the year this past weekend and met up with some new friends, Tara and Stacey at 100 Mile View Campgrounds in Jim Thorpe, PA. It was windy, then cold overnight – raining from midnight on- so unfortunately I didn’t get to enjoy the second day… But there was a gorgeous view, warm evening campfire and good conversation:)

Since my last post though I have had many a beautiful hikes:

Schull’s Rock Overlook, Susquehanna Riverlands State Park

Spirit of Tuscarora Trail- My birthday Hike with Cliff & Darcy

Unfortunately I haven’t been keeping as many scenery photos as I used to( to save space on my phones Icloud), but I do have way more videos on Youtube than I did when I first started. Check out my channel @TheFeralFemale130 if you wanna see some of the hikes:)

Next up, my first backpack trip of the year. I will be doing the John P Saylor Trail ( both loops) with my backpacking buddy Darcy very soon and, as usual, have been stressing about the weight of my pack. I think this is pretty common among many backpackers, from beginners to professionals, so I thought I would share a few tips on saving weight that I have learned from my 4 previous trips. Keeping in mind I have not done more than a 3 day/2 night trip so far, I can’t claim any expertise, but here goes!

1. Sleep Quilt over Sleeping Bag– A sleep quilt is basically “half ” of a sleeping bag. It is strapped around a sleeping pad( usually inflatable). I had a synthetic one last year from Enlightened Equipment that I did love , but it was only a 40 degree quilt and since I had the experience of an early winter camp in November, I bought a 20 degree down quilt for this year. Down is warmer and packs down way better- the only downside is that if it gets wet, it loses it’s warmth factor.

2. Ultra Lite Backpacks over Conventional-Don’t settle for a cheap Amazon backpack if you want to backpack for more than 10 miles. They weigh an insane amount ( 4-7 lbs or more!). Whereas an Ultralite pack is usually under 2 lbs. depending on how much volume it can hold. I started out with a Zpacks Arc Haul 40liter pack(1.32 lbs.) but it didn’t fit well or hold enough gear for more than a day hike or an overnighter. Last year I upgraded to an REI Flash 50 (1 lb 14 ounces) and it has been amazing. It holds all the gear/food/ and water I need as well as a bear canister. Lighter packs are an excellent way to cut down on your base weight.

3. Leave the heavy cooking gear at home! No need to bring your entire Scout set of pots, pans and utensils to back pack. A simple 550-750ml cook pot, small canister of fuel, and a tiny MSR burner is all you need to make a prepackaged dehydrated meal by simply boiling the water for it. I have a Toaks 750 ml titanium cook pot and generally carry a 4 oz canister of isopro fuel that fits right inside of it along with the MSR burner, a lighter, small potholder, and half a handkerchief for cleaning if needed. I boil my water for coffee in it too.

4. Down jacket vs. Synthetic – again, down is lighter, packs down better and is way warmer than most other jacket materials. I have 2 – a Montebell 800 fill which is longer and bulkier and a Mountain Hardware Ghost Whisperer 800 fill which sits just at my waist and is my preferred for backpacking.

5. Rain jackets can do triple duty-Always bring a good raincoat as well. It can serve to protect your down jacket in the rain, or can be worn alone to keep you dry. I invested in Patagonia Granite Crest raincoat last year and it has been a lifesaver. However since it is a 3 layer rain jacket, it does weigh more than a less expensive, lighter but less durable Frogg Toggs. Both down and rain jackets can be used for extra warmth as well- even when you sleep.

6. Silpoly or Dyneema Tents vs. other tent materials- “Dyneema is an ultralight, high-strength material known for its waterproof capabilities, while Silpoly is a polyester fabric that offers good UV resistance and water repellency but is generally heavier than Dyneema.”-( google search assist). These tents not only weigh much less than thier competitors and Silpoly also has the advantage of not sagging when it rains because water rolls right of of it.

7. Trekking Pole tent vs. Regular Pole tents– average weight for a trekking pole style tent is around 2 lbs. If you use trekking poles anyway( and I most definitely do for safety!)it saves you the extra weight of tent poles( which can be substantial).There is a bit of a learning curve to set up, but once you get it, it’s worth it. Some even use only one trekking pole. I have a Durston X Mid 2, which I love!

8. Smart Water Bottle vs. Nalgene- A Smart water bottle is cheaper, lighter and works well with a Sawyer Water filter ( also a great light weight option). They are surprisingly durable and a 1 liter size weighs only 1.2 ounces. Standard Nalgene bottles weighs 6.3 ounces and are also bulkier. The only advantage I have heard to a Nalgene is being able to pour hot water into it at night and using it for warmth in your sleeping bag.

9. Dehydrated food vs Non Dehydrated food- Pre-packaged hiker meals such as those made by Mountain House or Peak Fuel ( there are many brands) is an example of lightweight, calorie packed meals for any backpacker. They weigh less than non-dehydrated food and in pouches you just need to add boiling water, rehydrate and eat.You can also learn to make your own dehydrated meals ahead of time for a lot cheaper.

10. Remove and repackage foods and OTC meds and any other unnecessary packaging materials-This one should be obvious but not everyone thinks about it. For example- remove crackers, cookies, pasta, rice or just about any food from its original packaging and place it into small ziplock baggies. Take out only the amount of pills you may need from pill bottles and place into ziplock bags. It saves weight and space in your pack.

Keep in mind that some ultralite gear is more expensive but to me, the weight savings is essential.I hope this was useful for someone. Less weight= less pain and strain:)

See ya on the Trail!

Namaste!

Hello Hikers, Backpackers & Campers!

Posted on March 19, 2026 by Lovie Price

Winter is almost over, and soon the peak hiking season will begin (again) for many of us. Whether you are only able to do short day hikes or plan to do multi-day backpacking trips, or even if you just want to spend some time car camping- now is the time to get started!

Last year was a game changer for me. I attended my first “meet up” with other content creators, and from there on out, I shed my shyness and dove in head first! In addition to several meetups, car camps, and over 50 day hikes, I also did my first overnight solo back packing trip and 3 other back packing trips – 2 with a friend and 1 with a group.I made a lot of mistakes, for sure, but I learned A LOT!

This year I already have several camping trips and backpacking trips planned, and will continue doing as many day hikes as I can fit in. I have done multiple collaborations with fellow hikers and content creators and that will remain a focus. Additionally I have joined the #PA25StateParks Challenge and have completed 8 of those so far. More information is available about that if anyone is interested by typing in the hashtag on Youtube. It is being hosted by my friend Darcy(@darcyshikingdiaries).

But let’s get into what this post is really about: planning ahead!

First-Whether you are hiking, camping or backpacking – make any necessary reservations for campsites and get permits where needed. Once the season is in full swing, it may be more difficult to get the site you want. Many groups reserve these ahead of time, especially for the summer as well as holidays like memorial day/labor day and July 4th weekends.

Second- be sure to have all of your gear in order. If you are buying new, you should try out and test your gear as soon as you can. Setting up a tent right out of the packaging when you get to a campsite could lead to frustration and/or disappointment. Using a brand new backpack on a multi day trip could lead to pain and discomfort. This goes triple for new hiking shoes or boots.If you are buying used- also test these out and make sure there are no missing pieces, leaks, or worn out areas.

Third-safety is key! Be sure to downloads maps ahead of time, let someone know where you will be and for how long, and double check all of your safety gear. If you will be alone-get yourself a satellite communicator, like a Garmin In-reach mini. The cost of one is well worth it for peace of mind should an injury occur or you get lost. Carry 2 forms or copies of ID with you and store them in different places in case one gets lost. Have a power pack and charger cords along to recharge your phone and headlamp.

Fourth, get your body prepared by committing to some physical training. Start out by doing some some short local trails, or even walking at a public track. If you are a gym member, use that treadmill. Don’t forget about stretching, too! All of this is important for preventing injuries, limiting pain, and building up your endurance. Even if you are just car camping, you should be sure you are able to set up your tent and do simple camp chores without too much exertion.Believe it or not , many camping injuries occur from seemingly easy tasks like hauling water or carrying firewood.

Finally, I would add that it is a good idea to start a list of everything you will need to do and bring along so you can make a final re-check of all your supplies, gear, and anything else BEFORE you leave the house.

Here’s to hoping everyone is getting outside and enjoying the fresh air. Even if you don’t go far, you will feel better, sleep better, and maybe even find something new out there:)

Namaste!

It’s a Glorious winter!!

Posted on January 13, 2026 by Lovie Price

Phew, time sure does fly! Besides the Holidays and all of that brew-ha-ha, I’ve been super busy hiking my hips off! Here is a photo montage of some of the sites and scenes i have been privileged to to see:

Weiser State Forest- Roaring Creek Tract

Clarence Shock Memorial Park- Governor Dick Tower Trail

There were SO many more places and things but i couldn’t possibly post them all. And I shared them with some friends( and met some new friends) along the way which makes everything better.

Travis, a new friend and content creator

This past year, according to my Alltrails stats, I have recorded 80 hikes, beating my last two years totals. My miles weren’t as high as i expected, but elevation gains were higher. I know, I know- it’s not all about the numbers. But it’s a good place marker, and an easy way to set new goals.

I have also, i think, greatly improved my video skills, but still have a lot to learn. I was wanting to get a fancy camera, but now – after watching many fellow content creators struggle with malfunctions, carrying extra weight, expensive accessories/gadgets and battery hassles- i am reconsidering that. Using my 5.64 ounce cell phone, with my Alltrails app, editing tools, and camera all in one place seems like common sense… and definitely less expensive. Yes, there are drawbacks, but over all the juice is worth the squeeze. Unless i go to the Grand Canyon, or some epic place like Iceland, I think a simple cell phone works just fine for my short jaunts in the woods:)

I hope everybody is having a terrific year so far and as always- getting outside!

See ya on the trail! Namaste!

Early Winter Camping

Posted on November 27, 2025 by Lovie Price

Another first for me!

On a hike at Whipple Dam State Park- 2nd day

The mid-November camping trip with a group of fellow content creators was, as are most things for me, a huge learning curve.

Of course , this past summer i did do some camping, and i did learn a lot. One thing i learned was that there are at least 25 different types of camping!! Here is a link for a description of those –https://theoutdoorauthority.com/types-of-camping/ . What i did was called “car camping” which can be misleading. It doesn’t (necessarily) mean you sleep in you car ( although you could!) . It just means that you are able to drive in to your location and your car is at your site or nearby, usually sleeping in a tent. My first time”car camping” was this summer and was also my first time camping in an actual campground. I was a fish out of water as i had only ever primitive camped before. There are pros and cons to this.

Some of the pros are : being able to bring more stuff, having a secure place to keep your stuff ( including food/trash- so, no bear bag or canister required), generally there are public restrooms and sometimes even shower and/or laundry facilities, having a pre-existing fire pit, having other people around can feel more safe, and not having to carry everything on your back. Some of the cons are: other people who may have kids or dogs or play loud music (i.e. noise), having to walk to the bathroom instead of an area closer to your tent( this is a big one for me because i have to pee so often..lol), tent sites that may be gravel which means using a staked tent isn’t always ideal, permits/ fees/reservations are sometimes required, and less privacy.

These are by no means all of the pros and cons.

I did two car camps in summer. I learned that it can be super hot in a tent ( recommend a camp fan if you have a power source) and that there are a LOT more bugs in that season ( bring bug spray and keep you tent zipped up!). I learned that all campgrounds are not the same and it is wise to do research before going somewhere so that you know what to expect( type of tent site, amenities, etc). I learned too that some places get more crowded than others and that going during the week and not on holidays is probably best if you want less people around.

So let’s talk about my winter camping experience…

I knew it was going to be cold. I did what i could to prepare for that. Along with my usual sleep pad, sleep quilt and extra warm clothes, i brought several extra blankets and some hand/foot warmer packets. I also brought my cot to stay up off the ground and a pop up style tent that wouldn’t need staked if i didn’t have that option. The pop up tent i had was over 30 years old, and i had used it on many previous camping trips, so i trusted it.

Some of my fellow creators brought heaters. I didn’t have one. But i figured i’d be fine and worst case scenario, i could just go warm up in my car if things got too awful. The temps got down to 28 degrees the first night. That’s when i learned i wasn’t quite as prepared as i wanted to be.

For one thing my sleep quilt is a 20 degree synthetic type. It is a very good brand and quite expensive. But definitely not meant for anything below about 40-45 degrees. Initially, i had just laid my sleep pad on the cot and piled the quilt and 2 blankets on top. I wore 2 thermal shirts and pants and thick wool socks. I also put on my down jacket and wore a balakava hat under a trapper hat. I was still cold.. By morning i hadn’t slept well at all. Even the batteries in my heated gloves failed , though i had definitely charged and tested them before i left home. I had to go to my car , turn on the heat and warm up for about 10 minutes so i could at least thaw out my hands, take the edge off, make coffee and prepare to go for a hike. It did warm up during the day.

The second night I did better, thanks to some advice from another camper. I never knew that inflated items like sleep pads could make you even colder as they can hold the cold air inside and hence, closer to your body. In order to combat this , don’t sleep directly on them. A layer of something in between you and the pad helps tremendously. I was skeptical but i went back to my tent earlier than the others so i could prepare. i wrapped one blanket around my pad then strapped my quilt on to both, i layered the other blanket on top. I also utilized my hand and foot warmers more effectively by using them sooner , rather than waiting until i was already cold.My pad stayed inflated at least. Some of the less expensive pads don’t stay inflated in cold temps. I was much warmer the second night.

However….

The second night we had fierce wind and rain. A few other campers said there was also sleet. I slept through most of it, but i did wake at times when the wind was so loud it sounded like a train coming through. In the morning, I awoke to water all around the inside perimeter of my tent. It wasnt in the middle and thank goodness i was up on a cot, but some of my gear was wet. Another couple had left the night before because of water in their tent also. I am still not sure if this was due to leaks in the 30 year old tent i had, or due to the fact that i didn’t set up correctly. I do know that my rain fly didn’t seem like it was correctly fitted this time, and i didn’t pay much attention to how the tent floor was sitting because i was rushing to get everything up. Ididn’t have to rush, but i did. So perhaps it wasn’t the tent itself. My plan is to set it up again(correctly) in my driveway in the Spring rainy season and see how it fairs. If it leaks, i will try to detect where from and if it’s not a huge job i can re-seam seal it. If it’s too much, i’ll need a new pop up tent.

P.S. This is not my Durston tent which has been awesome in the rain– not a drop inside, nor any condensation- even during heavy storms. But the Durston is a trekking pole tent which needs to be staked( doesnt work well on gravel sites) and requires a larger area than a a free standing tent.

I think for next year i am going to have a few other items. Possibly a new pop up tent, a better rated winter sleep quilt, a large power bank so that i can plug in a heating pad or blanket, maybe a small heater ( not sure until i do some more research) , and for sure some better quality heated gloves-which are lifesavers on cold hikes as well!

But over all i think it went well for my first time. I didn’t freeze to death or have a gear failure that became an emergency. I enjoyed myself and met new friends.

I am grateful I had others around to give me advice and ideas, as well as be there if any emergencies did occur. I was grateful for the shared food, laughter and conversations. I have to say the camaraderie shared in these groups is priceless. Everyone has something(or many things) to offer.

Unfortunately i didn’t take many photos, just video.The photo below doesnt include 3 others who weren’t yet at camp when it was taken.They arrived after dark or on the 2nd day. If you would want to see the adventure itself, please visit my youtube channel @theferalfemale130 and look for the one titled “First Winter Camp/Penn Roosevelt State Park Early Winter Meet Up.”

Hope this was helpful to someone out there. Enjoy your winter and Namaste!

First Group Backpacking Trip!

Posted on October 8, 2025October 9, 2025 by Lovie Price

well, i did it!

This weekend (October 3,4 & 5 ) I drove 4 hours North to hike 7 miles..lol.

But the rewards were fantastic! I got to meet and interact with many of the Youtube content creators i watch regularly. To me, they are Rock Stars! In order above( left to right):

The Wandering Woodsman, Darcys Hiking Diaries,Mountains Into Memories, Jeremy78, me( the Feral Female), Still Going Far, Old Dude on the Trail, Fire & Trails, Day Hike Dave, Travels and Trails With Ron, and Maksim Outdoors- visit their channels if you want to see the some fabulous outdoor hikes and other adventures!

Anyway, about this trip… Sometime over the summer, a meet up was planned by Bill (Maksim Outdoors) for a few content creators to backpack a trail up in Pennsylvanias Allegheny National Forest and I was one of the lucky ones to be invited! I was elated and honored to be able to meet and interact with these amazing hikers. We met on Saturday at the Minister Creek Trailhead and hiked in 3 miles to a campsite by the creek. There were 11 of us and we had so much fun just sitting around chatting by the fire. Day Hike Dave even put together a great game of randomly chosen questions and answers for all of us. The full video of that is on his channel.

The second day we finished out the hike and met up in the parking lot for some delicious food provided by Maksim Outdoors, Mountains into Memories(Ryan), as well as their wives and family members. What a treat at the end of a hike through the fall foliage:)

I would be remiss, too if I didnt Mention a few other adventures…

In September, along with my first solo overnight hike and the multi night hike with Darcy, i also got to hike with one of THE best cinematic content creators around- Walter Zolna. I have been watching Walter for about 2 years and met him briefly at 2 previous events. I am always amazed at how beautifully he captures nature as well as the information he provides. His Youtube videos are more like short films that make you yearn to get outdoors. I was extremely honored to collaborate with him on a hike in Hickory State Forest. But most of all, I was in awe of how down to earth he was and how well we got along. 8 miles flew by that day and it will live forever in my memories.

Next up I have a planned trip to an Airbnb I stayed at twice before to a cabin located on a mountain top in the middle of 130 plus acres with waterfalls galore! When I went before, I wasnt really a hiker.. so I was mostly painting and enjoying short walks around the area. This time, I plan to see and film much more. It is such an absolutely beautiful place, and is usually booked for many many months in advance. But there were 2 days in November open and I scooped them up!

Later in November , I will be doing (probably) my last overnight adventure of the year. Me, Darcy and another content creator( Camping Milkman) that i camped with at Reeds Gap back in August have an early winter meetup planned at Penn Roosevelt State Park with some other content creators as well. Mostly , I want to test out how well my current gear will fair in the lower temperatures, especially at night. But , of course I also look forward to relaxing with fellow hikers and backpackers and enjoying a good campfire.

So there’s the official update. As you might have noticed, i was able to add pics here again. Yes, i caved and upgraded my plan. It’s just not the same trying to describe something when a picture is worth a thousand words.

There is so much outside to see and experience.. sometimes within just a few hours of home! Get outside and immerse yourself in the beautiful nature.. you wont regret it:)

Namaste!

Things that can Make you Miserable on a Backpacking Trip

Posted on September 22, 2025September 26, 2025 by Lovie Price

Hey ya’ll.. i just got back from my 3rd backpack trip this year! Both of my previous trips were overnighters. This last one was 3 days and 2 nights. I’ve already written about my first trip, so we know that unforeseen weather events can really make you miserable ( i.e. the storms and flooded trails during my June trip). But i haven’t talked about the other two and some of the things that can turn a great adventure into a less than fun experience.

The second overnight trip i did was a solo trip. I didn’t go far- only a few miles on the Appalachian trail.It was more of a pack shakedown trip than anything, but it was my first solo overnight backpack. The trailhead was only 45 minutes from where i live so i didn’t have far to drive either. I can’t think of much that made me even slightly miserable on that one. It was an easy hike, to a place i had vetted several times during daylight hours. The campsite was established, with a nice flat open spot in the woods. I had no issues with anxiety, i wasn’t rushed, was well prepared and the weather was awesome.I slept like a baby. If i had to pick anything to complain about, it might be the unexpected amount of loud air traffic throughout the night. But even that wasn’t too bad. I mostly woke briefly and went right back to sleep.The next morning i woke at my leisure, ate breakfast and enjoyed relaxing to the sounds of nature. The hike back out was beautiful and serene.

This 3rd trip was with the same friend i went with in June. Neither of us had previously done more than an overnighter. My friend had been on one section of the trail before and it was only a 45 minute drive for her. But she had never done the entire thing. We started out on a friday at 8am( i had to wake at 5a and drive 2 hrs to the trailhead) and we returned home sunday afternoon. Mornings are hard for me since i am a full time night shifter. Although the trail is rated as “easy” and a great beginner back packing trail it was not without any negatives. For one thing, 70% of the trail was rockier than expected- as in extended fields of large rocks to navigate. Secondly, at least half of those were uphill. I can’t say they were extremely dangerous or severe, but they definitely made the going rough in many spots and slowed us down.

Next, as we were to discover, the recent drought made us have to backtrack at one point because the expected water source was bone dry. The first day was supposed to be 8-10 miles, but having to retrace our steps back to another small ( and not very clear) water source made the days total over 13 miles. We both felt beat up. I had brought enough water, but my friend didnt, so we didnt really have a choice. And the campsite at that water source was pretty bad. I had to sleep on a slant with a large tree root under my back. Both of our sleep pads deflated throughout the night and it made for very poor sleep. The saving grace was that the next day we only had to hike around 6 miles to a wonderful campsite by a stream of pretty clear water.Although i slept very well that night and my pad stayed inflated, my friend didn’t as her pad continued to deflate throughout the night, and she woke up very sore and cranky.The night also became super cold, and i was grateful i brought a down jacket.

Our last day led to a beautiful waterfall and we had plentiful water sources. But the rough rocky trails continued to thwart us. As i had started out the cold day with my down jacket on over a thermal shirt and two pairs of pants, within a few miles i had to stop to change and at that point we got separated.

You see, my friend hikes at a much faster pace than i do. And that is one of the things that can make things difficult, even if a trail is perfect ( and none are). When i have a very light or no pack at all, my pace is around 2-2.5mph. With a 25 lb pack, rocky terrain and going even slightly uphill multiple times in a day, i hike around 1.7 mph. I really prefer, in that situation, to limit my daily miles to 8-10. And, ideally, stop to go pee and/or take a snack break every 4-5 miles. That did not happen on either of our trips.

Now, before you assume i am blaming her for anything, understand that everybody has a different hiking style and pace. My friend did not need to stop that often and she hiked at around 2mph or more, even with her pack being about the same weight as mine. Why? For a number of reasons.

Most importantly, she is abut 20 years younger than me. Secondly, she has never smoked. I only quit smoking a little over 3 months ago. Those two facts have huge effects on how we are able to hike. Yes, i can go the same amount of miles, but i do go slower. The reason is simple- i like to enjoy the trail without being out of breath the entire time trying to keep up with someone, AND i want to avoid injury. I don’t want to suffer by having to hold my bladder for fear that if i stop, i will get too far behind. I also don’t want to suffer hunger pains because if it stop to get out a snack or sit for 10 minutes, i’ll get too far behind. As a content creator i also wanted to get good footage, but if i stopped too much or for too long, i would be making her wait, or i’d get too far behind.In the morning, i like to take my time enjoying a coffee or two, and have the time to pack up my stuff properly, not jamming it hurriedly into my pack. For me it’s not about how fast i can go or how many miles i can cover in a day. And, it’s about relaxing, soaking in nature, stopping to notice and take in the beauty. That’s just what makes sense to me.

Again- i am not blaming her for anything! God love her, i know she was trying to go slower and wait for me at times. But, after all was said and done i think we both realize that we either are not a good fit for backpacking OR that we both need to manage our expectations and certain agreements need to be in place prior to setting out, not only for safety, but out of necessity. We do enjoy each others company, so it may be that we will just camp together, and do our hiking/backpacking solo. i don’t regret going, just know that with any future trips expectations will need to be set so that we both can get what we want from the experience.

Now, a few other things ( not related to a pace or partner):

I wore a different pair of shoes this time and they really did not fair well for the long miles. I have multiple blisters. I also wore a regular bra this time and the pack straps were pressing on them so i have bruises on both shoulders. Somehow i got a bruise on my face next to my one eye as well- not sure how that happened, and because i was trying to save on baby wipes, i didnt wash my hands as often as i should have (and yes, i did use hand sanitizer) i must have gotten dirt my eye which caused a sty. Additionally, since i use only one handkerchief as a “pee” cloth, i was also concerned about getting a UTI(ps- that didnt happen thankfully!).So next time-a later start( maybe 11am), better shoes, a sports bra with no metal parts, and enough baby wipes that i’m not so worried about using them sparingly for wiping my hands and ‘nether region’.

Every hike is a learning curve and i’m ok with that.

We hiked over 27 miles and survived- again!! I’m feeling pretty darn good that at my age and with as little experience i have that i accomplished that.Many people start out with way less miles and take a lot longer to build up to longer trips. Someday though, i want not just to survive, but thrive!

Onward and upward!

Fall Hiking Season is FINALLY here!

Posted on September 4, 2025September 7, 2025 by Lovie Price

After a somewhat brutal summer season ( extra hot and lots of rain) here in the north eastern US, most of us hikers are gearing up for the “busy” season! This is generally considered to be THE best time to hike, backpack and camp in these parts. Brisk fall weather before the ice, snow and cold.. the beautiful foliage.. and soon- “no snake” season! I can barely contain myself! Yippee!

I have many plans including some collaborations with fellow content creators, 2 backpacking trips and a creator meet up in early winter. I have been spending my time packing and repacking my gear, fine tuning which gear i use and which i don’t need, and training– yes, training– for bigger and better things.

Last month I finally got my dream treadmill. It’s a Bowflex with a screen that i can use for immersive and adaptive programming as well as the basics. I absolutely love it and use it almost every day. I train by wearing my backpack during the workouts and varying the incline, speed and distance. It’s definitely been a game changer as i was seriously p*ssed about the weather limiting me this summer. Now, even when the dark comes sooner I can hop on and walk, hike, climb and run to my hearts content, no matter the weather.

Also, i wanted to let my readers know that i chose not to subscribe to the paid version of wordpress this year. There simply are not enough readers or benefits to doing so, and so there will be no more photos included in my posts. Apparently, the free version doesn’t have enough space( i just tried multiple times with no success). This sucks, because it used to be that you could at least upload photos and the paid version just allowed videos. Oh well.I wish i could share the beautiful places i’ve been.. but i can’t now:(

I hope you all are doing well. As I’ve said many times, i dont really get on here much anymore. but i do try to post every other month or so.

Till next time…

Namaste!

What I learned on My First Backpacking Trip

Posted on July 24, 2025 by Lovie Price

In my last post, i didnt really get into this because i wanted to give a mental picture of what the trail was like, and ( briefly) describe the conditions, etc. But in keeping with my original tradition of also explaining my experiences on a more philosophical level I feel like it’s also important to pass along information and knowledge gained as well.I could probably included many more smaller things here that i learned but i’ll try to be brief.

Some of my new found knowledge is based on hiking with someone else. So i’ll start with the fact that it’s kind of important to know your partner. Let me explain:

Hiking pace-it’s important that you understand that their pace and style can be vastly different from your own. I hike at a pace of 1.5-2 mph on average, while my friend probably normally hikes 2-2.5mph on average. This was discussed prior to our trip, but it wasn’t fully apparent until we were on the trail.
Hiking style-while some people might take a lot of breaks, others may not. If this isn’t discussed ahead of time, it can be difficult to stay together and this could be frustrating( or unsafe) for both of you. Additionally, one person may need time take of photos or video while the other may wish to just enjoy the experience without that.
Hiking experience- if one of you has more hiking or backpacking experience, it can be a time to learn how to do things better or at least differently. Be open to learning while understanding that what works for you, may not work for someone else.
Camping style and experience- this also comes into play in backpacking, because, unlike just hiking or just camping, you will be carrying everything you need on your back. You will likely have different equipment, and hence different needs for setting up at camp, cooking/eating, filtering water, etc.
Physical/Medical conditions- for example- i am a previous smoker, and i have a heart condition. My hiking partner had a bad knee, and was shorter in stature, but was not a previous smoker. Both persons individual challenges need to be considered because it affects things like uphill climbs, steep descents and climbing over obstacles on the trail.
Waking and sleep times- some people are early birds, whereas others are not. Some need more sleep than others as well.
“Buddy Systems” should be in place – as in, definite meet up times and places if you get separated, potentially going backwards on a trail if someone doesn’t show up at a pre-determined place or time, or alerting/dealing with search and rescue if someone gets injured and or disappears. This is a huge safety factor.

All of these things should be discussed prior to the trip, especially if it will be an extended hike – as in high mileage or more than an overnight.

Outside of hiking with someone else, there are things i learned about backpacking in general:

Backpack weight- i tried to go as Ultralite as possible, but even so my weight was 23lbs. including food/ water. Since i had never hiked with this amount of weight on my back, much less for 24-26 miles, i learned just how much pain this caused on my neck and shoulders( something that never happened when my pack was 10 lbs or less for day hikes) and how much slower i would go up hills, over boulders and crossing streams ( without losing my balance). But i also learned that i didnt have back, leg, hip, or foot pain like i anticipated . And my recovery time from the trip was basically only 24 hrs. I didn’t have any lingering effects, but my hiking partner lost a toenail and said her body took several days to recover.
how wet gear can make things more difficult- while i was prepared for rain in the sense that i had a great rain jacket ( Thank goodness) i wasn’t prepared for how much moisture there would be on my tent in the morning and how much heavier my pack would be when everything was wet. I need a lighter weight, more absorbent cloth to wipe condensation off my tent.
I am so glad i decided to wear my trail runners (without socks) instead of my Gortex lined hiking boots.Those boots would have been emerged in water over their tops and not only become significantly heavier but would have taken days to dry out, and not at all useful on this trail.
i am so glad i brought my trekking poles. I didn’t have to, because even though i have trekking pole tent ,the tent brand i have does make much lighter tent poles as an alternative. But if i hadn’t taken them, i would have had to call for search and rescue. Period . There would have been NO WAY i could have safely done the stream crossings or gotten down steep rocky descents without them. That would have sucked more than actually having to do those things.Always bring your trekking poles.
I am also very glad i had my SOS satellite device. Even though i was lucky and didnt have to use it, it gave me the peace of mind and confidence to go on.
I brought too much food.My pack could have weighed about 2 lbs less.
Even though my new sleep pad is more comfortable, it added 2.5 lbs to my pack weight. This needs to change.
Hiking apps aren’t always accurate.Even if you have used one for years and it always has been fairly accurate. Stuff happens. Be prepared, be prepared, be prepared.

Hope this has been helpful to someone.Lord knows i have learned so much information that i didn’t know from other hikers( blogs and youtube), many times stuff that i just hadn’t thought of.

Thanks for reading and Namaste!