tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-204425342024-03-19T04:46:40.838-04:00Blissful HikingFulfill Your Hiking Dream! Here to help fellow hikers by offering wisdom, ideas, and lessons learned from a two-time AT North and South, Long Trail, Foothills Trail, Allegheny Trail, Colorado Trail, Florida Trail, BMT, Pinhoti, Shenandoah Nat'l Park 500 miler completions. Former AT Ridgerunner for six years. Author and Speaker on Hiking and BackpackingLauralee Blisshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11923463083025047230noreply@blogger.comBlogger337125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20442534.post-4485594285977592712023-11-22T14:17:00.000-05:002023-11-22T14:17:53.523-05:00The Arizona Trail - Part Two Late September saw my return to the Arizona Trail to finish this 800-mile adventure that began in the spring in Mexico. This time I would start the adventure at the Utah border and head south, some 450 miles, back to Roosevelt Lake where I ended in mid-April after completing 350 miles. This type of trek is commonly referred to as a "flip-flop" thru-hike. I began in Utah and traversed Lauralee Blisshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11923463083025047230noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20442534.post-61431171211918463252023-04-19T10:01:00.006-04:002024-02-02T13:18:45.345-05:00The Arizona Trail - Part One Hiking the Arizona Trail was a totally unique experience in the
realm of hiking. I’d hiked over 10,000 miles, mostly in the East, but Arizona
was the farthest west I’d traveled for a trail. Here are some practical observations after
hiking 350 miles of it from mid-March to mid-April, beginning at the border and hiking to Roosevelt Lake.The border. I hiked down to the border with a friend Lauralee Blisshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11923463083025047230noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20442534.post-5068102968270528742023-03-03T12:43:00.005-05:002023-05-02T12:43:31.159-04:00The Pinhoti - Alabama and Georgia's Long TrailThe Pinhoti Trail is a 337-mile trail starting at Flagg Mountain Alabama in the southern Appalachians and extending up into Georgia to meet up with the Benton McKaye Trail. It is also part of the Eastern Continental Trail or ECT that spans from the Keys in Florida all the way up to the International Appalachian Trail or IAT. I've had the opportunity to hike a good deal of the ECT, of which the Lauralee Blisshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11923463083025047230noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20442534.post-16544965029228298542023-01-07T06:00:00.003-05:002023-01-07T06:00:00.157-05:00My 5 Nonessential Essentials in a Winter Hiking Trip
While trudging along the trail this past week, enduring frigid
temps with cold winds that cut through even my heavyweight Polartec fleece, I thought
about those things that some may not consider essential but you are sure to find
in my pack on a winter hiking trip.
1. Cell Phone - an important tool especially
if the trip goes wrong. Doubles as a camera, too, if you happen across the icy
Lauralee Blisshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11923463083025047230noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20442534.post-13719761715088068022022-10-13T15:00:00.000-04:002022-10-13T15:00:00.172-04:00Lessons Learned from an October Section Hike on the AT – Damascus to Bland(Repost of a section hike and lessons learned)
Continuing my third round of completing the Appalachian
Trail with a lengthy hike of over 120 miles. My only catch this time is I had
eight days to complete it. Thus it required me
The climb north to Buzzard Rock yields a great view
to do heftier
miles for longer periods of time (averaging 15 miles) and without rest. It also
occurred during a Lauralee Blisshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11923463083025047230noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20442534.post-29033484116393299252022-09-27T15:28:00.002-04:002024-02-02T20:54:08.815-05:002024 Trail Festivals and Conference Schedule
Upcoming Hiking Events, Trail Festivals, and Gatherings
for 2024
Appalachian Trail Gateway -Formally the Kick-Off, First weekend in March, Dawsonville, GAAT Flip Flop Festival, Harpers Ferry, WV, in mid-April
Trail Days, May 17-19th, Damascus VirginiaLoudoun AT Festival, June 8th, Old Stone School, Hillsboro, VAThe Gathering, ALDHA, Oct 11-14 in Abingdon, VA
Check back Lauralee Blisshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11923463083025047230noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20442534.post-82696298885777539522022-09-27T15:21:00.001-04:002022-09-27T15:21:47.632-04:00Dreaming, Planning, Hiking, and Finishing an Appalachian Trail Thru-hikeBlissful Hiking Adventure celebrates fifteen years with a new episode on the Blissful Hiking Adventures Podcast NetworkEpisode Seven - Dreaming, Planning, Hiking and Finishing an Appalachian Trail thru-hike - A 15-year AnniversaryBlissful the Hiker reminisces about her dreams of hiking the entire AT beginning as a teen and waiting thirty years for its fulfillment. She recalls the many twists and Lauralee Blisshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11923463083025047230noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20442534.post-51478544611678428762022-09-07T00:00:00.027-04:002022-09-07T00:00:00.150-04:0015 year Anniversary of a Northbound Completion - Fun Facts!
Mt Washington fun fact - I have climbed this peak four times.
Celebrating 15 Years!It's hard to believe that we began this adventure on an early spring day on March 5th and finished on September 18, 2007. To commemorate the event, Blissful shares fun facts and tidbits from the journey.
Northbound Georgia to Maine
Average Miles per Day
10.30
Average Miles per Hiking Day
Lauralee Blisshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11923463083025047230noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20442534.post-62935435711270235162022-08-03T03:00:00.001-04:002022-08-03T03:00:00.168-04:00Are You Ready to Hike? A Step by Step Process
How do you get ready
physically for the demands of an extended backpacking trip? The goal of just doing a trip is the first step to starting the process.
Here are a few tips I’ve used to begin the process and get myself ready for that next great adventure.
Set a Goal
More than anything,
a backpacking trip is a mental venture. You can do the physical preparedness as
best you can, but it’s Lauralee Blisshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11923463083025047230noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20442534.post-4201616935246770532022-07-05T20:48:00.000-04:002022-07-05T20:48:35.764-04:00Where Should I Go? Six Things to Consider When Determining Your Hiking Trip
There are so many places. So many trails. So many adventures
waiting to be had.
Lots of trails. Lots of choices.
What to do? Where to go?
First, take a deep breath. Yes there are lots of places to explore.
Maybe this is not the year though to do the big trails. The shorter trails, even trails in your own state, can bring great satisfaction and unique experiences than just Lauralee Blisshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11923463083025047230noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20442534.post-32962057268990096312022-07-01T11:50:00.001-04:002022-07-01T12:05:22.651-04:00Preparing for the Unexpected on the Trail - Review of the Jase Medical KitPreparing for the unexpected sounds like a misnomer. How can one prepare when you don't know what may happen? Especially in the area of medical treatment with hiking and backpacking long distances. I have already covered in a blog on first aid kits but was contacted by an interesting group of physicians that have come up with an emergency medical kit for people like us as well as travelers, Lauralee Blisshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11923463083025047230noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20442534.post-21640439044508239422022-05-27T11:43:00.002-04:002022-05-27T11:48:10.275-04:00The All-Important Hiker TramilyHave you ever heard the word “Tramily”? We know, of course, our
regular family, but to a hiker, Tramily means the hiker family, and a unique
and special family at that.
After walking thousands of miles of trails, I am happy to say
that the experiences have knitted me with many wonderful hikers that have
become a “tramily”. We share our love of the great outdoors, meeting in ways we
knew would Lauralee Blisshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11923463083025047230noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20442534.post-65563378522829179042022-05-22T08:00:00.000-04:002022-05-22T15:41:12.315-04:00NEW Series: Adventures in our National Parks - Guest Blog on Best Hikes in Mt RainierBlissful Hiking Adventures is proud to announce a series of blogs on great hiking, adventure, and opportunity in our national parks in the USA. To kick-off, we welcome Ten Adventures founder Richard Campbell with the best hikes in Mount Rainier National Park. Permitting for many backcountry camping and hiking in the parks begins soon. Plan your adventures now!Must-Do Hikes in Mount Rainier Lauralee Blisshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11923463083025047230noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20442534.post-53495689613098333022021-09-22T13:46:00.001-04:002021-09-22T13:52:20.114-04:00Safety and Hikes in the Fall Season
Max Patch in NC
There’s nothing better than a backpacking trip in the
woods at the peak of leaf change. The air is crisp, the colors of the changing
leaves brilliant, and the expectation is there for adventure and recreation. With that in mind, here are a
few tips that will help your trip go smoother and more enjoyable.
Changing Weather – Fall can be a time of changing
weather Lauralee Blisshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11923463083025047230noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20442534.post-26869897948860660732021-05-09T18:51:00.000-04:002021-05-09T18:51:54.269-04:00A thru hike of the Benton MacKaye Trail!Blissful is proud to announce the accomplishment of a thru hike along the Benton MacKaye Trail! Blissful began the journey in late March and finished April 16th. The hike began near the base of Springer Mtn and wound its way through the northern Georgia mountains, fording creeks, hiking up and down many "lumps" as Blissful coined them, some gaining elevation to near 5,000 feet until linking againLauralee Blisshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11923463083025047230noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20442534.post-8343352215138653872021-02-08T20:48:00.000-05:002021-02-08T20:48:47.885-05:00Hiking in the Winter
Winter snow and ice on the Pocosin Hollow trail in Shenandoah National Park
A day hike
in the winter can be a wonderful experience. Cold, brisk days. Outstanding
views you can’t see in the summer. No insects. Few visitors. Ice sculptures on
cliff faces and waterfalls.
But it also
requires careful planning so it becomes an experience to treasure and not
to dread. Winter hiking usually Lauralee Blisshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11923463083025047230noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20442534.post-32106552905545724912020-08-21T21:13:00.008-04:002020-08-21T21:13:57.206-04:00Anatomy of a Section Hike AdventureConnecting the dots of a trail by way of a section hike to complete a long-distance trail is a rewarding but difficult experience.
As a section hiker, you end up basically starting from scratchevery time you
go out - with the aching muscles, blisters on tender feet not used to the
strain of hiking every day. For longer distances, and if you can manage it,
staying out there, you eventually adapt Lauralee Blisshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11923463083025047230noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20442534.post-73851389146677789572020-08-05T20:26:00.130-04:002020-08-05T20:26:00.760-04:00The Wonders of Hiking and Exploring our National ParksBlissful Hiking Adventures Podcast Show Notes - Episode 3The Wonders of Hiking and Exploring our National ParksBackpacking Yellowstone in the Shoshone Geyser BasinThe national parks are the people's parks - created to protect the wide diversity of scenic beauty, flora and fauna as well as preserving these unique splendors for generations to enjoy. Established in the 1800's with the creation Lauralee Blisshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11923463083025047230noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20442534.post-88447503187827465422020-07-24T12:00:00.000-04:002020-07-24T12:00:01.723-04:00A Day in the Life of a Hiker on the Trail - and the Lesson Learned
A Day in the Life of a Hiker on the Trail - and the Lesson Learned
Shared by Ryan Michael Beck
photo: Ryan Michael Beck
Yesterday was by far one of the hardest days on the trail (top 2 to be specific). Now before I go in to some details, I am not looking for encouragement and in no way plan on stopping. I just want the reader to understand that while chasing your dreams and Lauralee Blisshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11923463083025047230noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20442534.post-29438632930575155072020-07-17T07:00:00.000-04:002020-07-17T07:00:07.082-04:00Preventing Heat-Related Issues while Backpacking and Hiking
It’s summer and time for great hiking adventures. But it’s
also time that heat-related illness can affect you while exerting yourself in
hot and humid temperatures.
The two heat-related illnesses one needs to look out for are
heat exhaustion and sunstroke. Heat exhaustion can be managed on the trail, but
sunstroke is a life-threatening emergency where the hiker must get to a hospital.
Lauralee Blisshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11923463083025047230noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20442534.post-87517274385186109372020-07-13T16:07:00.001-04:002020-07-23T19:12:06.433-04:00The Virus Thing and Hiking – 8 Ways to Protect Yourself and OthersUPDATE - 7/23/2020 Please consult the local, state and federal areas for these closures and please obey the regulations. Change your hiking plans. A thru hike can still be accomplished in a calendar year by some creative ways once the emergency is over. Be flexible, and most importantly, don't give up on your dream!
Every year viruses do plague the trails, esp the AT which
comes down with itsLauralee Blisshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11923463083025047230noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20442534.post-84423650963510132332020-07-01T15:20:00.000-04:002020-07-01T15:20:26.945-04:00Get Out of the Box and Explore
Blissful Hiking Adventures Podcast Show Notes
Get
Out of the Box and Explore – An Interview with Hiker Blissful
In Episode Two, Lauralee Bliss, trail name Blissful, shares
with listeners her motivation for hiking and exploring the trails. This
interview was conducted by WhiteFire Podcasts about long distance hiking adventures
and other interests with valuable lessons learned along the Lauralee Blisshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11923463083025047230noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20442534.post-13506254031405224242020-06-10T14:12:00.001-04:002020-06-10T14:12:41.917-04:00Hiking in a post Viral World WebinarLauralee Blisshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11923463083025047230noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20442534.post-86158801139692806492020-05-23T08:00:00.023-04:002020-06-22T15:02:49.836-04:00Hiking in a Post Viral World
Blissful Hiking Adventures Podcast
Episode One - Hiking in a Post Covid World – (Show Notes)
In this inaugural episode, host Lauralee Bliss, trail name
Blissful, begins with the uncertainty the Covid health crisis placed upon
hikers when trails were closed and plans curtailed. How we respond as hikers
to these changes in plans says much about us and what we will accomplish.
Initial Lauralee Blisshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11923463083025047230noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20442534.post-74049500356787167432020-05-15T12:30:00.001-04:002020-05-15T12:30:01.685-04:00Mail Drops and the Virus<!--[if gte mso 9]> Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 <![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]>Lauralee Blisshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11923463083025047230noreply@blogger.com0