camping – Wake up!

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!

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!

Pitch Perfect?

Posted on June 26, 2024June 26, 2024 by Lovie Price

Well, not quite…but the fact that I finally forced myself to do my first “practice pitch” of the year makes me feel good….

Obviously, this is just in my back yard but it still counts..lol. I did put it up last year once when i first got it, and have been telling myself i MUST start practicing at it again because i’d forgotten.

Now I know it seems silly to not know how to set up a tent. BUT this is not an ordinary “pop up” type of tent. Those i can set up in pitch black, sleep walking mode. Up until 2 years ago, that’s all i had ever used. This one is what they call a “trekking pole tent”and there’s a learning curve. For those out there unfamiliar with this style, i want to give a little info. After all, I had to learn and maybe someone else can benefit.

A trekking pole tent is much lighter to carry due mainly to the fact that it requires no tent poles. It uses one or two trekking poles only to set up, and since most hikers generally use/carry trekking poles anyway, it just makes sense to have a tent that can be set up with them. I’m all about multi-purpose items when it comes to keeping my backpack weight down and this one is a pretty common weight saver.

The thing about them though is that you have to spend some time learning to set them up properly. They aren’t quite as easy as the pop up style. I wont get into the specifics here but there are hundreds youtube videos about it. However…

Not all trekking pole tents are the same. This one in particular is very different from most in that it not only has an inner mesh layer, separate from the tarp( also called a “fly”) but also is set up in a “diamond shape” rather than the usual rectangle shape. The tent i have (pictured here)is a Durston XMid 2 ( 2 person tent but i like extra space) and it is a very unusual tent for a few reasons. You can also google their website- Durstongear.com. They sell other items and I am impatiently awaiting their Kakwa 55 backpack to become available in my size( it’s on backorder for awhile).

But, i digress…

First off, this tent is extremely lightweight. It packs out at 35.4 ounces. That’s it. Barely over 2 lbs. The material is a lightweight polyester ( not nylon which traps water and adds weight).There are also lightweight tent poles from the same company that you can buy instead if you don’t use trekking poles as well. They are even lighter than the trekking poles. I bought one just to see how well constructed they were and was very pleased. I may even buy the 2nd one in future for short, overnights when i won’t need trekking poles for any difficult terrain.

Second, The trekking poles don’t block the doors on this specific tent, which is huge for me since i go in and out of my tent so often when i have camped.

Third, having the 2 separate layers enables setting up the outside in less than 1 minute with 4 tent stakes and adding the inside mesh part under the tarp/fly and OUT of the rain- keeping you and your gear dry!Or you have the option of keeping the mesh attached to the tarp/fly making set up even easier if you don’t expect rain.

I could go on..but suffice it to say I absolutely love this tent and will never go back.But it does take practice. As shown here, it’s a little saggy on the ridge line, but i haven’t used either of the guy out lines in this set up. This is just one small step on my journey. I want to be able to set this up in pitch black on rainy nights in less than a 5 minutes. Goals.

I also had to refresh myself on using my flex pro pump for inflating my sleep pad. It comes with multiple attachments for just about any type of inflatable pad and i had forgotten which one and how to attach everything.

I am forced to have off 2 weeks every summer because my patients family vacations.On my first week off in June, I hiked 5out of 7 days. Not long hikes, but new ones and some pretty fantastic scenery. Can’t wait for my second week off in July.

So many Trails, so little time…

Namaste!

10 Unusual Things I’ve learned while Prepping for A Thru Hike

Posted on February 11, 2024March 29, 2024 by Lovie Price

in some places you can’t turn off utilities at home for an extended period of time unless you want to pay a huge “security deposit” when you return to have them turned back on. Basically i’ve been told it’s like starting with a new account, despite the number of years you may have paid faithfully. If you plan to return to the same home, a better option is to set everything for the minimal use for the time frame- such as the lowest temp that will keep pipes from freezing if you live in a cold area.
It’s hardly ever stated that before you leave you should order a few extra copies of your drivers license. Many are lost on trail and it can be a huge hassle. You can have them sent to you at a post office , just like resupply boxes.. but be aware that some post offices also require ID. So, it’s helpful to make printer copies of your ID to put in a separate space on your pack that you won’t be getting in and out of ( risking loss) for such occasions.Better still, make a one sheet copy of both sides of ALL the cards you are taking ( health insurance, credit card, medical info)- just fold it up and put inside a small waterproof pouch. Please remember to take it with you if you have to leave your back pack outside of a store or restaurant in town(some places don’t allow you to take it inside). Also carry a small amount of cash..some places ( hostels, shuttles, delivery services) are remote and do not take credit cards.For instance, i’ve heard this about the John Muir trail. I have seen suggestions for about $50…yes, it’s a slight risk because , well, you never know ..but i’d rather lose 50 bucks than chance not being able to get a shuttle if i need one for an emergency!
You will need to make arrangements with your health insurance before you go. Many plans will not cover out of state injuries, urgent care, or hospitalizations. Many have restrictions as well regarding out-of -network providers.
The same applies to car insurance. You should not just “cancel” insurance on any car you wish to keep, even if in storage. Where i live there is “sidewalk” or street insurance which is just the minimum for things like theft, damage or break- ins while you are away. Also , the same can apply regarding getting a new policy when you return- it can be more expensive.
If you are leaving a home you will be returning to, make arrangements for someone you trust to check on your place regularly for any evidence of burglary, vandalism or damage from burst pipes etc. The thing is, many post their adventures on public formats without really considering that can alert potential criminal activity if anyone locally knows where the empty home is. More than one has posted returning to a home that was used for drug activity unbeknownst to the home owner. Always, always, always think ahead about what you post online- there are bad people in the world.
If you get a satellite SOS with Garmin- do yourself a favor and get the insurance(s). Injuries happen and most health insurance will NOT cover the costs of a search and rescue. Helicopter rides and emergency care en route is usually out of pocket and often triple what you would pay for a trip via ambulance in your local area. Garmin insurance will cover this as long as you don’t let your policy lapse( so put it on auto renew just to make sure- it’s easy to forget!)
Pets are not allowed in some areas on trail- you will have to board them and pay for such if you take one. Research all areas ahead of time regarding this.I am not a fan of taking pets along because i feel like there are way too many risks, but that’s just my opinion and many people do travel everywhere with their fur babies.
Start stretching out your ankles months in advance. This is often an area people forget about in usual exercise routines. On trail- rocks , roots, debris from storms, and stream crossings can be hike-enders from sprains and/or bad falls. Weak ,stiff ankles are the main culprits.
Bears are great climbers like to stay up in the trees at night, especially the babies( meaning an anxious mom nearby) and especially in the Smokies. Maybe you know this, but i didn’t. That’s pretty scary. Also – quick note..bear canisters are required in some areas, and you can’t even use an Ursak. There are fines if you get caught without one.
a wind shield for your burner stove is something they don’t seem to show in a lot of videos..not sure why but finally one dude did mention it as an item and because i have had issues lighting my stove outside when it’s windy myself, i was like grateful to learn this. I previously didn’t even know they made ’em.However, it does add a few ounces of extra weight and i think this is a main reason some do not carry them.I removed a few panels of mine for that reason.

Hope this was helpful..

Youtube Hiking Videos- the Pros & Cons

Posted on February 3, 2024 by Lovie Price

Some of the scariest parts of thinking about thru hiking to a novice like myself is simply a lack of knowledge. Thank goodness we now have the internet and a huge amount of resources. In the process of watching( ad nauseum) hundreds of Youtube videos and reading articles online, i found much relief at times and learned a lot about what i think i could or couldn’t deal with, and how to work around it.

For example, one of the things i had to accept about myself is that i will likely never be a 4 season thru hiker.Trudging through knee high snow using snow shoes or i felt a huge burden lifted off my shoulders. Before i realized this, i couldn’t stop stressing over how could manage the weight and bulk to accommodate freezing temperatures.Besides just thinking about the general misery of potential frost bite , i also had no idea how i would manage it all financially and weight wise. Then suddenly, as if from the heavens, i realized the unlikelihood of (me)doing any serious winter hiking.While there is always the potential for drastic temperature changes on long treks, i feel like i could avoid a lot of it by only hiking in 3 seasons.

Phew!

There have been other epiphanies along the way- finally understanding more about “stealth camping”( it’s not that secretive or scary) and shelters vs. hostels ( i thought they were the same thing at first). Learning how close most re-supply places were on the AT so i wouldn’t be carrying 2 weeks worth of food. Understanding that i could be send home items and pick up other supplies with changing seasons and conditions meaning that i didn’t have to carry 4 pairs of footwear, heavy base layers, and a camel back water system the whole way. It all sounds silly to me now but i was truly “green” about it all.

On the other hand…

In an ideal world, everyone online would be truthful , fair and unbiased. But sometimes one has to be careful out there in the digital forest. Many Youtubers are “sponsored” by brands and their content is not so much good information as it is paid “advertisement”.The channel host may or may not even really use the product they are touting or have any experience with it at all.I don’t hold a grudge against anyone trying to make a buck, but it can get pretty hairy trying to discern between actual recommendations and ad hype based on sponsorship. Even knowing this, i still fell into the trap for awhile, forgetting that the larger the company, the more they can pay someone to hype their product..or many someones.And that just because 5 or more channels recommended a certain product didn’t mean it was the ‘best’. It probably took me 6 months or more to see through some of this. And when i did, I was a bit angry with myself. I did indeed spend way more than i should have or could have, and of course have regrets( along with a big ‘ole box full of items i won’t be using).

But it isn’t just products you have to be wary of at times. Even with as little experience as i have , i came to see that not all advice in general works for everyone.One of the most amusing gems is when a male hiker is giving tips and suggests (to all who are watching) “peeing in a bottle in your tent at night” so you don’t have to go out in the cold. Try to imagine the average female trying that one…in the dark, in a tiny tent! Now, TMI- i have used a cheap plastic container for this myself at times when camping – but i assure you, the opening was much wider than a soda bottle, and wouldn’t be practical to carry in a back pack. I can also attest that those female urinal devices take a good amount of practice unless you enjoy peeing on yourself.

Another controversial subject i hear about often is where to place your tent in your pack- inside or outside..as well as if it works better on top of your pack or strapped to the bottom. There are many many ways to pack and carry a tent, and there is no one size fits all solution. Mine for example, is a double wall tent which can even be separated ( tarp from inside mesh and floor area. So technically i could carry the tarp outside of my pack and the rest inside. Not all tents are made this way, some are single walled . Mine is also a trekking pole set up, so i don’t need tent poles, but i do need stakes and guy out lines. Some have stand alone type tents which do not require stakes or guy out lines, but have special poles .Other people use hammocks- which have no “poles”, but require trees for attaching the hardware it uses. And the way to carry anything is really a matter of comfort level for most people.

Bottom line is- go ahead and watch all the videos and channels you like. Subscribe away and enjoy the process of learning new things. I still spend entire nights ( hours on end binge watching my faves.) I have learned soooo much!

I know i wont be hiking 2000 miles( or even 20 unless i lose a shoe) in Crocs- maybe use them for camp shoes. I know I won’t be “cowboy camping”- nope, no way- because- snakes. I know i won’t be joining in on “Safety Meetings” ( code for going to smoke some marijuana ). I know i WILL be taking an SOS device, a cellphone and coffee. I know i will be using a Kula Cloth instead of just the handkerchiefs i use now..

But, most of all , i know using discernment is never bad advice:)

Namaste.