People ask what I enjoy about crawling around in dark, sometimes muddy, caves. Perhaps a picture is worth a thousand words, so here is my answer.
Photo of the day: Wood warbler
I met this little guy in Wekiwa State Park last weekend. Now I just wish I had a longer lens…
Hiking to Rawhiti Cave, New Zealand
A guest post by Amy Heritage – Thanks Amy! The next time a guide book mentions a ‘one hour walk’ for people with a ‘moderate level of fitness’ I’m going to regard it with caution. This is how the trek to Rawhiti Cave is described to tourists by the New Zealand Tourist Board. Truthfully, it is a short walk …
Gear review: MSR Pocket Rocket
Over more than two decades I’ve tried several styles of backpacking stoves for my adventure travels. Most recently, I’ve been using a simple alcohol stove, but missed the level of flame control provided by compressed gas models. When Appalachian Outdoors asked me to review the MSR Pocket Rocket, I jumped at the chance. The last compressed gas stove I owned, …
Book review: Becoming Odyssa, Epic Adventures on the Appalachian Trail
This is the first book review on The Active Explorer, and I couldn’t have had an easier one to write — I absolutely loved this book! ~ Erika I felt brave the first time I stepped onto the Appalachian Trail (A.T.) solo. Let’s face it — it’s different for a chick on the trail than for a guy. …
Six Things to See and Do in Eastern Glacier National Park
Information overload. That’s the typical response when visitors arrive on the eastern side of Glacier National Park, Montana. When a friend asked what he should see during his one-day visit, I was stumped. “One day?” I confirmed in awe, “but there’s so much to see!” Once I wrapped my head around his question, I suggested mixing sightseeing, with a sampling …
Blown away: Glacier National Park’s Cracker Lake Trail
I wrote this post as part of my MatadorU writing course. Our assignment was to flash-back from today to a memorable event. The trail to Cracker Lake was one of the most memorable I’ve ever hiked, especially since it was the windiest – at least 40 mph, maybe more. Enjoy. My coffee is hot enough to be a little painful …
Hosteling for the first time: Lessons learned
The clerk at Brownies’ Bakery and Hostel handed me a padlock key from across the counter, and pointed toward a set of worn, painted stairs to the second story of the log building. Upstairs, I found my way through the dim living room, decorated in style that can only be described as early-American-garage-sale, to my room down the hall. It …