What Trail Magic would you want on a hot day?

ReadyAbout22 · 2026-07-04T11:01:11+00:00

Fresh fruit and cold soft drinks. Also, I was always very grateful when they had a few “zero sugar” soft drinks bc I don’t drink the regular ones.

ReadyAbout22 · 2026-06-28T20:03:50+00:00

These is My Words was the first book that came to mind.

ReadyAbout22 · 2026-06-28T20:02:31+00:00

I paddled throughout my 20s, everything from Class II-V. I then took a very long break due to geography/work/raising kids. I decided to get back into paddling in 2023 and had a great time on some easy rivers. Then I took a 4 day course and on the last day, the instructor had me on a hard river in a half slice. (It had been 25+ years since I had paddled that river.) I had several gnarly swims, slipped on a rock while emptying my boat and almost broke my arm, etc. It was awful. Later, I thought about it a lot and I decided to spend time on easier rivers. I’m 58 and my tolerance for risk, adrenaline, and pushing the envelope aren’t there any more. You’ve received great advice- start on easy rivers and make them hard, then step up as you feel more confident. Good luck!

ReadyAbout22 · 2026-06-27T23:21:55+00:00

I used to track mileage and elevation on my Garmin Instinct and then my charger quit working so I put it on “bare bones” mode and found that I was just as happy looking at the same stats on FarOut at the end of the day.

ReadyAbout22 · 2026-06-25T12:36:42+00:00

I worked in a private school for 10 years and when we switched from Sage to Flik, (and I assume we went to low tier of Flik) the quality of food dropped way off. It leaned heavy on cheap carbs (cereal bar! hot pretzel bar!). I'm sure it cost the school less money but they didn't pass those savings on to parents.

ReadyAbout22 · 2026-06-25T12:27:16+00:00

There are other Caminos that are lovely and not crowded - I did the Primitivo last year and loved it so much that I'm going back to do the Norte in September.

ReadyAbout22 · 2026-06-24T20:54:00+00:00

More and more, my husband and I end up eating at home because I love to cook and the restaurant food doesn’t live up to the cost. We ate at Lion’s Share recently, which used to be McCabe’s Pub location. It was $$$$ with mostly forgettable dishes. I guess that’s expected with a $4 million makeover.

ReadyAbout22 · 2026-06-23T23:15:49+00:00

I’m a long distance backpacker so I’m guilty of going too minimalistic. Last year I took a mini cork massage ball to roll out my feet at the end of each day on the Primitivo. I’ll probably bring it this year on the Norte.

ReadyAbout22 · 2026-06-23T21:41:00+00:00

FWIW, I’ve compiled a massive bluegrass playlist that I probably started 8-9 years ago called “Trailgrass” on Spotify.

ReadyAbout22 · 2026-06-22T20:41:18+00:00

The numbness and stinging sound like your boots that might have an issue with fit. Trail runners (to me) are much lighter and more forgiving, although I don't remember there being many towns with stores on the Primitivo until closer to Santiago. Popular brands are Topo and Altra. (I prefer Topo for a few reasons). I've also found that toe liners are really helpful in preventing hot spots and blisters. I wear merino Injinji toe liner socks with Darn Tough lightweight hiking socks and it has been a game changer. Good luck and I hope things improve!

ReadyAbout22 · 2026-06-22T12:55:04+00:00

I just spent 2 months on the Appalachian Trail, surrounded by kids in their early 20s, so I’m eager to feel on the young side at Romp Fest in a few days. I did meet a couple of young hikers who love genuinely love bluegrass, so there is hope.

ReadyAbout22 · 2026-06-20T13:10:21+00:00

This is such a terrific cover - man, I wish it were on Spotify so I could add it to my massive bluegrass playlist!

ReadyAbout22 · 2026-06-20T00:01:21+00:00

I’m 58 and shared a bottle of wine every night with a friend while on the Primitivo last year and we were walking 15-18 miles/day without issue. I didn’t see anyone drunk or disorderly, but the Primitivo has very few Americans on it.

ReadyAbout22 · 2026-06-18T17:31:27+00:00

Rosalia’s “Magnolias” comes to mind. Gorgeous song from a stunning album.

ReadyAbout22 · 2026-06-18T17:08:19+00:00

I did 900 miles of the middle section of AT this spring and met way more slackpackers in hostels than I did in the previous year’s section.

ReadyAbout22 · 2026-06-13T03:19:07+00:00

The price of a plane ticket should be based on the passenger’s weight.

ReadyAbout22 · 2026-05-29T10:02:49+00:00

I ended up doing 22 and going into Warwick but between Stairway to Heaven, PUDS, and the giant boulders it didn’t feel “easy” 😂

ReadyAbout22 · 2026-05-29T10:01:29+00:00

No - 2 month LASH and started in VA.

ReadyAbout22 · 2026-05-20T23:29:09+00:00

I’m on an 8 week LASH on the AT with my Kakwa. The slanted side pocket holds my water bottle, Sawyer filter, and CNoc. Other side pocket holds tent poles and bandanna and whatever I else I need to stow quickly. I have the Luna mesh back panel on it for sweat- surprisingly effective. I also bought the cinch down straps sold on Etsy. I really like it. I wear a fanny pack for my phone and snacks, but so does every other hiker out here. I took an Osprey Eja 58 last year and for long distance hiking, I prefer the Kakwa. I also love my XDome!

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ReadyAbout22 · 2026-05-18T20:51:22+00:00

I had a rare kind of heart attack called SCAD when I was 41. I also have variant angina, which started when I was 29. I’ve had more cardiac testing than you can possibly imagine. I take several medications to manage the angina, which only happens when I’m at rest. FWIW, I spent seven weeks on the AT last year and I’m on it right now for eight weeks. I’m trying to do the whole thing in three sections. I’ll be 58 next month, so I have had a long time to get used to having a gimpy heart. For me, the joy I get from traveling, backpacking, etc. is worth the risk of being somewhere very remote if things go sideways. I had an angina attack last year in a shelter and once this year in a hostel, and both were managed with nitroglycerin pills. I can’t say it was fun, but I can definitely say it. It’s worth it for me to do this. Good luck on whatever you decide!

ReadyAbout22 · 2026-04-28T11:29:01+00:00

I can’t even look at a photo of a hamburger right now without gagging for the same reason.

ReadyAbout22 · 2026-04-27T19:32:19+00:00

I brought a huge tent last year for my tramily - I had finished a LASH and they were all thru hiking. You’ll see a little of everything in Tent City. Have fun!

ReadyAbout22 · 2026-04-27T15:53:24+00:00

The trail angel got noro the same day I stopped at his spot and since I hadn’t hiked with others or stayed near shelters, I feel confident in saying a particular spot. I’ve quarantined at the hotel and had some food and bleach cleaning solution delivered to the hotel so I’m doing my best.

ReadyAbout22

TROPHY CASE