This story was originally published in the Summer/Fall 2018 issue of Appalachia Journal. Pam Bales left the firm pavement of the Base Road and stepped onto the snow-covered Jewell Trail to begin her mid-October climb….
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Hike Fast, Sleep Hard: Are You Ready to Try Fastpacking?
Are you ready to try fastpacking? For ultralight backpackers and trail runners, the answer might be a speedy: ‘YES!’ Kristina Folcik didn’t know she was about to have her world rocked. A 40-year-old ultrarunner from…
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When Do You Need Snowshoes? Gaiters? Crampons? A Winter Traction Primer
You can strap a lot of different gear to your feet for winter adventure. But do you really need to? There are obvious benefits to avoiding the hassle and weight of equipment like snowshoes, gaiters, and…
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The Ups and Downs of Telemark Skiing (and 5 Reasons Why You Should Give It a Try)
I’ve long admired the sinuous grace of telemark skiing. If you’ve ever watched skiers make their way downhill as you rode up a chairlift, you know exactly what I mean. Even the best alpine skiers…
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