We have teamed up with American Hiking Society (AHS), a national nonprofit that has been at the forefront of many major conservation issues focused on preserving America’s trails for more than 35 years. Through this alliance, we now give our customers a chance to help protect the places where they love to hike with each pair of boots they buy.

AHS was formed in 1976 to fill the need for a national organization that could focus on trails and hiking. Started by group of hiking enthusiasts, journalists and conservationists—including William Kemsley, Jr., the founder of Backpacker magazine—AHS has made a name for itself as being an advocate for all hikers and for the trails they enjoy.

One of the organization’s major achievements was the creation of National Trails Day®. National Trails Day® (NTD) occurs annually on the first Saturday in June, and it includes all sorts of activities that promote the use of America’s more than 200,000 miles of trails.   The celebration has now grown to more than 2,000 events and more than 150,000 participants across all fifty states, Puerto Rico, and Washington, D.C.  NTD’s trail stewardship impacts are significant and measurable; in 2012, NTD trail volunteers completed more than 400 trail projects, resulting in the construction or maintenance of 1,291 miles of trail.

AHS’s other major accomplishments include:

- Creation of the Volunteer Vacations program in 1979, sending hundreds of individual yearly into public lands nationwide to restore and maintain trails. Annually, AHS places more than 500 volunteers on 60 to 70 Volunteer Vacation projects, resulting in thousands of hours of sweat equity on behalf of trails. In addition, AHS’s Alternative Break volunteer program for college-aged students engages universities and students nationwide and helps to create the next generation of impassioned trail stewards and dedicated conservationists.

- Establishment of Hike the Hill in 1997, an annual event designed to convene trail supporters in Washington, D.C. to advocate for trail funding and protection. AHS also responds to new or emerging threats to hiking trails and natural areas on a continuing, year-round basis.

- Launch of the National Trails Fund in 1998, the only privately-funded grants program dedicated to establishing, protecting and maintaining foot trails. Since its inception, the Fund has awarded more than $500,000 to grassroots efforts to save trail lands and build and maintain foot trails.

Stay on the lookout for the American Hiking Society’s donation box during your next purchase at HikingBoots.com. You can also follow AHS on Facebook, Google+, Pinterest, YouTube and Twitter. Here’s to protecting the trails one small donation at a time!

The longest hiking-only footpath in the world attracts adventurers of every walk of life each year. Completed in 1937, the Appalachian Trail  has undergone some pretty major changes since then. In fact, the Appalachian Trail Conservancy says that about 99% of the trail has been relocated or rebuilt! Considering the initial trail took 15 years to complete and runs through 14 states, that’s an extraordinarily large project.

To celebrate the 75th anniversary of the AT’s completion, we researched an exhaustive list of 75 reasons to hike the whole thing. The list follows the trail from Georgia to Maine. To accompany this list, we created an infographic to help visualize some of the key points. A lot of the inspiration for it came from Bill Bryson’s A Walk in the Woods. You can check it out by clicking the link below.

Infographic: 35 Reasons to Hike the Appalachian Trail

Because the trail is so long and covers so much ground, we are sure we missed some great stuff. Feel free to share your favorite reason to hike the Appalachian Trail in the comments section of this post. So, without further ado…

Reason No. 1: It takes five months, or five million steps, to walk the entire AT end to end. If you’ve ever yearned for a real challenge, it’s at the trail’s start. [MAP POINT: Springer Mountain]

Reason No. 2: Out of the 2 to 3 million who hike a section of the trail each year, only 704 people were recorded to have hiked the entire trail in 2011. [MAP POINT: Springer Mountain]

Reason No. 3: Along the trail roughly every 10 miles there are more than 250 campsites called shelters or “lean-tos.” The one at Blood Mountain happens to be one of the oldest! [MAP POINT: Blood Mountain]

Reason No. 4: After miles of deprivation, it’s time to indulge. Pick up a sandwich, slice of pizza or even some ice cream at Walasi-Yi Inn, the first “outpost of civilization” for northbound hikers. [MAP POINT: Neels Gap]

Reason No. 5: Do laundry for a small fee at Walasi-Yi Inn. The average AT thru-hike costs $3,500-$4,000 (including town stays, restaurant meals and replaced gear.) [MAP POINT: Neels Gap]

Reason No. 6: Experience the Deliverance­-like creep of Hiawassee, Ga., as described by Bill Bryson in A Walk in the Woods, and spend the night in a nondescript motel. [MAP POINT: Near Georgia-North Carolina border on GA side]

Reason No. 7: Rainbow Springs Campground is called an oasis with its welcoming showers and a store. [MAP POINT: Near Georgia-North Carolina border on GA side]

Reason No. 8: The Fontana Dam Shelter, a.k.a. the Fontana Hilton, has loads of amenities like toilets that flush, an all-you-can-eat buffet and a post office. [MAP POINT: Fontana Lake]  

Reason No. 9: Sunrises at Clingman’s Dome. The trail’s highest point is a little less than 6,700 feet out of more than 350 peaks on the AT. [MAP POINT: Clingman’s Dome]

Reason No. 10: The majestic Smoky Mountains. Botanists have called it “the finest mixed mesophytic forest in the world.” [MAP POINT: Smoky Mountains]

Reason No. 11: The Smokies have 1,500 types of wild flowers, a thousand varieties of shrubs, 530 mosses and lichen and 2,000 types of fungi. They are home to 130 native tree species; whereas all of Europe has 85. [MAP POINT: Smoky Mountains]

Reason No. 12: Great Smoky National Park has 800 square miles of dense forest and 71 miles of intense hiking. [MAP POINT: Great Smoky Mountains National Park]

Reason No. 13: Max Patch Bald, the Crown Jewel of the AT, contains the most astounding views. On a clear day, you can nearly see across eastern Tennessee. [MAP POINT: Max Patch Mountain]

Reason No. 14: Hot Springs, N.C., has just that—hot springs! A dip into the steamy mineral baths costs between $13 to $44 at Hot Springs Resort and Spa. [MAP POINT: Hot Springs, N.C.]

Reason No. 15: Big Bald offers 360-degree panoramic views of the Smokies, Mount Mitchell and Unaka Mountain. [MAP POINT: Big Bald]

Reason No. 16: Near trail towns “trail magic” tends to happens. It is when strangers assist hikers in random acts of kindness such as a free home-cooked meal. [MAP POINT: Erwin, Tenn.]

Reason No. 17: At 6,285 feet above sea level, the Roan High Knob is the highest shelter on the AT. Experience Christmas snow year round! [MAP POINT: Roan High Knob]

Reason No. 18: Hike underneath Laurel Falls, a popular 75-foot waterfall with an upper and lower section. [MAP POINT: Laurel Fork Gorge]

Reason No. 19: Pass through Damascus, Va., (a.k.a. Trail Town USA) in mid-May and experience a six-day hiking festival called Trail Days. [MAP POINT: Damascus, Va.]

Reason No. 20: At 5,729 feet, stand atop the highest natural point in Virginia, Mount Rogers. [MAP POINT: Mount Rogers]

Reason No. 21: Forget bears! Wild ponies are known to nab hiker food near Thomas Knob. [MAP POINT: Edge of Grayson Highlands State Park]

Reason No. 22: During June and July, there are breathtaking blooms of rhododendron and azaleas in this region. [MAP POINT: After Grayson Highlands State Park]  

Reason No. 23: Pass by an oval-shaped bowl of more than 20,000 acres that looks like a volcanic crater near Chestnut Knob. [MAP POINT: Near Burkes Garden]

Reason No. 24: Combined in 1995, Jefferson National Forest and George Washington National Forest contain 1.8 million acres of public land—one of the largest blocks in the eastern U.S. [MAP POINT: Jefferson National Forest]

Reason No. 25: Feeling lost already? Look for one of 160,000 white blazes on trees that are six inches by 2 inches in size. These mark the path of the AT. [MAP POINT: Anywhere]

Reason No. 26: Take a picture at the most photographed spot on the AT with a 270 degree panoramic view of the Catawba Valley. [MAP POINT: McAfee Knob]

Reason No. 27: Nearby Peaks of Otter features three mountains in a triangular pattern with a lake in the triangle’s center. [MAP POINT: Peaks of Otter]

Reason No. 28: Catch the best view in Virginia at Spy Rock, an old Confederate army lookout, with a 360-degree view of the Blue Ridge Mountains. [MAP POINT: Between Reeds Gap and Rockfish Gap in Montebello, VA]

Reason No. 29: Bear sightings are uncommon on the AT, except in certain parts of Shenandoah National Park. At one per square mile, it’s said to have the highest density of black bears in the world. [MAP POINT: Shenandoah National Park]

Reason No. 30: Cheeseburger sightings are also common. In fact, there are five places to eat in and around Shenandoah National Park, including three restaurants. Perfect for when you’ve had enough of “roughing it.” [MAP POINT: Shenandoah National Park]

Reason No. 31: The AT has a novice section! Parts of the trail near the Blue Ridge Parkway and the Skyline Drive are considered the best for beginner hikers. [MAP POINT: Skyline Drive]

Reason No. 32: Prehistoric periods of human habitation as far back as 2000 B.C. have been uncovered at Big Meadows. [MAP POINT: Big Meadows]

Reason No. 33: Native Americans were the first to use Ashby’s Gap as a trail. It later played a role during the Civil War for both the Confederate and Union armies. [MAP POINT: Ashby’s Gap]

Reason No. 34: Harpers Ferry is the “psychological midpoint” on the AT and is headquarters to the Appalachian Trail Conservancy. [MAP POINT: Harpers Ferry, W.V.]

Reason No. 35: Pass the base of the first completed monument dedicated to George Washington. Built in 1927, the stone tower is 34 feet tall. [MAP POINT: Washington Monument State Park]

Reason No. 36: Stop in Greenbriar State Park with its 165 campsites and “luxurious” bathhouses with steamy hot showers. [MAP POINT: Greenbriar State Park]

Reason No. 37: Test your hiking skills in Pennsylvania, known to some as “rocksylvania” for its jagged rocks littering the trail. [MAP POINT: Border of Maryland and Pennsylvania]

Reason No. 38: Thru-hikers compete in the “half-gallon challenge” upon reaching Pine Grove Furnace State Park’s general store. This daunting task includes a half gallon of ice cream and a wooden spoon! [MAP POINT: Pine Grove Furnace State Park]

Reason No. 39: Toms Run Shelters have two lean-tos, a rare occurrence on the trail. The double shelter prevents overcrowding. [MAP POINT: Between Carisle and Boiling Springs]

Reason No. 40: The river town Duncannon is well known for its views from Hawk Rock and its hospitality. [MAP POINT: Duncannon, PA]

Reason No. 41: The ghost town at Rausch Gap once hosted 1,000 inhabitants in 1860 and was abandoned by 1910 after the mine closed. Stone building foundations and a small cemetery are the only remains. [MAP POINT: Rausch Gap]

Reason No. 42: Hunt Swatara State Park’s fossil pit for 430 million-year-old Ordovician starfish fossils. [MAP POINT: Swatara Gap]

Reason No. 43: Pa. 501 is one of the few fully enclosed shelters with a skylight roof, a solar-powered shower and access to pizza delivery. [MAP POINT: Just before Port Clinton]

Reason No. 44: Still hungry? Stop by the Port Clinton Hotel for the biggest plate of fresh cut french fries (starting at $4.50) you’ll find on the trail (or even the planet). [MAP POINT: Port Clinton, PA]

Reason No. 45: During the fall, more than 20,000 migrating raptors soar by the 1,521-foot Hawk Mountain in eastern Pennsylvania. [MAP POINT: Hawk Mountain Sanctuary]

Reason No. 46: Challenge yourself with a seriously exposed rock scramble called Dante’s Inferno. [MAP POINT: Lehigh Gap]

Reason No. 47: The 16-mile stretch from Wind Gap to the Delaware Water Gap has been dubbed “where boots go to die.” This brutal section will make others seem like a breeze. [MAP POINT: Wind Gap to Delaware Water Gap]

Reason No. 48: Stroll along western and northern edges of Sunfish Pond, a serine 44-acre glacial lake. It’s the southernmost glacial lake on the trail. [MAP POINT: Worthington State Forest]

Reason No. 49: By this point you should have earned a trail name–a pseudonym given out by other hikers along the trail. Use it to sign logbooks at trail shelters. [MAP POINT: Near Poughkeepsie]

Reason No. 50: Approach the High Point Monument, a 220-foot granite and quartz tower completed in 1930 to honor war veterans. [MAP POINT: High Point State Park]

Reason No. 51: You can hike easy in New York. Its 88 miles of trail contain very little elevation change compared to other states. [MAP POINT: New York State Line]

Reason No. 52: Much as there’s a high point to the trail, there is also a low point. At 124 feet, the easy-going Bear Mountain Bridge claims that status. [MAP POINT: Bear Mountain]

Reason No. 53: Stroll by Nuclear Lake, former home to an atomic bomb research facility, where a plutonium spill occurred in 1972. The spill has since been cleaned. [MAP POINT: Pawling, N.Y.]

Reason No. 54: The Taconic Highlands features old-growth forests, waterfalls and a 17-mile stretch of the AT without a single road. [MAP POINT: Starts a Salisbury, Conn.]

Reason No. 55: The Shays’ Rebellion Monument marks where the final historic battle of the famed uprising occurred in 1787. [Near Mount Everett in Sheffield, MA]

Reason No. 56: Home of famous trail angel Tom Lavardi, who provides a water hose for thirsty hikers, a porch to sleep on and backyard to campout in. [MAP POINT: Dalton]  

Reason No. 57: The highest eminence in Massachusetts, Mount Greylock, stands tall at 3,491 feet. Reach the top for a magnificent view. [MAP POINT: Mount Greylock]

Reason No. 58: Stratton Mountain is the spiritual birthplace of the AT and Long Trail, the oldest long-distance trail in the U.S. The two trails overlap for more than 100 miles in Vermont. [MAP POINT: Stratton Mountain]

Reason No. 59: Let the Killington Ski Resort gondola transport your weary self to the summit of Killington Peak. [MAP POINT: Killington Peak]

Reason No. 60: Eighty-five percent of New Hampshire’s square footage is forest. It also has 35 peaks higher than 3,000 feet. [MAP POINT: Border of Vermont and New Hampshire just before Hanover, N.H.]

Reason No. 61: With a population of 10,000, Hanover is the first town southbound hikers pass through and the last for northbound hikers. [MAP POINT: Hanover, N.H.]

Reason No. 62: At the summit of Mount Lafayette, check out remnants of a stone shelter built to house former hotel guests riding on horseback.[MAP POINT: Mount Lafayette]

Reason No. 63: Through the next 100 miles, experience more views of mountains than any other section of the trail. [MAP POINT: Pinkham Notch]

Reason No. 64: Eight spacious huts along this stretch run by the Appalachian Mountain Club offer full-service lodging and meals. [MAP POINT: NH’s White Mountain National Forest]

Reason No. 65: Hold onto your hats! The second highest wind speed ever recorded, a staggering 231 mph gust, happened on Mount Washington at 6,288 feet in 1934. [MAP POINT: Mount Washington]

Reason No. 66: With a death toll of 135 since 1849, Mount Washington is also one of the most murderous mountains in North America and is “home to the world’s worst weather.” Good thing a Cog Railway trail can take you straight to the top. [MAP POINT: Mount Washington]

Reason No. 67: Maine has 283 miles of AT with more than 100,000 feet of climb—the equivalent of three Everests. [MAP POINT: Just before Goose Eye Mountain]

Reason No. 68: The “loneliest stretch of the AT” attracts little tourism and runs from Grafton Notch through Rumford, Maine. Pass through old-growth forests of red spruce and soak up the solitude. [MAP POINT: Starts at Grafton Notch State Park]

Reason No. 69: Take a refreshing dip in “The Kettles,” a favorite swim spot near the Little Bigelow shelter. [MAP POINT: Bigelow Preserve]

Reason No. 70: Stop in at Shaw’s, the most famous guesthouse on the AT, for breakfast ($7), dinner ($12), laundry service ($5) and stay the night ($12-$56). Or just take a shower ($5). [MAP POINT: Monson, Maine]

Reason No. 71: Welcome to the real wilderness! The Hundred-Mile Wilderness is the wildest section of the trail that doesn’t cross a paved road for 99.7 miles. [MAP POINT: Abol Bridge]

Reason No. 72: White House Landing is the only lodging and supply store in the heart of the 100-Mile Wilderness. Stay the night with breakfast, shower, towel and pillow case for $39. [MAP POINT: Between Abol Bridge and Mount Katahdin]

Reason No. 73: With a long-standing philosophy of “forever wild,” Baxter State Park prohibits the use of audio or visual devices that could in anyway disturb other visitors or wildlife. [MAP POINT: a little before Mount Katahdin]

Reason No. 74: As of 2010, more than 11,000 hikers completed the trail. The Appalachian Trail Conservancy officially calls these folks “2000 Milers.” You could earn that title.  [MAP POINT: A little before Mount Katahdin]

Reason No. 75: If you finish the entire thing, not only will you be a “2000 Miler,” but you can also tell everyone you hiked approximately 2,184 miles. Bragging rights! [MAP POINT: Mount Katahdin]

Images via greggoodson.com, mooretrail.blogspot.com, gatlinburgspaceneedle.com, tgaw.wordpress.com,
hankinslawrenceimages.wordpress.com, anne99.blogspot.com, bakersthruhike.blogspot.com.

What makes the Breeze such a popular style? Mixing the sturdiness of a hiking boot with an athletic-shoe fit proved to be a winning combination for Vasque. Add breathability and waterproofness to the recipe, and Vasque created itself a landmark product.

Nearly a decade later? The outdoor market is flooded with light and fast products. That’s why Vasque decided to enhance its favorite hiking boot for 2013. The Vasque Breeze 2.0 (pictured above) was on display at Summer Outdoor Retailer 2012. Watch the video below for an up-close look.

Major Updates

• It loses at least an ounce in weight
  • Men’s 2.7 ounces / 2.8 ounces (GTX version)
  • Women’s 2.2 ounces / 2.3 (GTX version)
• Duel Density EVA midsole with wishbone Molded TPU (instead of a molded EVA)
• More durable, bombproof air mesh
• Added a molded rubber toe cap

These enhancements are meant to give hikers ensured ample torsional stability along with extra comfort, protection and mobility. They will be available in January 2013 with men’s and women’s specific sizing at MSRP $159.99 Gore-tex and $139.99 non-Gore-tex.

Will you update to the Breeze 2.0?

HikingBoots.com knows the best view doesn’t come easy. That’s why the hiking boots superstore has joined forces with Vasque to search for the best of the best in trail photography. The Vasque #BestView Photo Contest encourages hikers to submit photos of the most amazing view they’ve ever experienced while exploring the great outdoors. All that hard work and determination will pay off for one winner, who will receive the best of Vasque footwear—a sampling of Vasque’s greatest hiking boots, trail and casual shoes.

The Best of Vasque prize package nearly totals $400 in retail value. The first featured prize is Vasque’s Talus UltraDry, a hiking boot Backpacker Magazine recommends for its “killer comfort.” The all-leather Talus UD is known for its old-school looks with a new-school weight. Next up is the Velocity 2.0, Vasque’s premier multitasking trail runner. In the Velocity 2.0, expect to run and day hike to your heart’s content because it’s made to conquer both.

Rounding out the prize package is the low-profile Rift, a casual hiking shoe with some not-so-casual features. Named the best shoe for travel by Outside Magazine, the all-leather Rift has been applauded for its lace-to-the-toe lacing system, triple-density EVA midsole for stability and ultra-sticky Vibram rubber outsoles. It can be used for scrambling, light hiking or just as an everyday shoe. Whether you run, roam or hang, you can do it all with Vasque.

Looking to pick up this three-pair prize pack? Enter The Vasque #BestView Photo Contest by submitting your best view photo on HikingBoots.com’s Facebook Page. Entrants can also enter via Twitter by posting their photos using the hashtag #BestView and tagging @hikingbootscom in the post. Photos will be judged based on creativity, the best representation of the contest theme and overall composition. The staff of HikingBoots.com will select and announce a winner by October 12, 2012. This contest is open to U.S. residents only.

Now who’s ready to show off the #BestView?

For more than four decades Seabury Blair Jr. has written about the outdoors. While he shies away from calling himself a trail “expert,” Blair demonstrates his knowledge through several outlets.

For one, he writes a column called “Mr. Outdoors” for the Kitsap Sun in Bremerton, Wash., where he talks about everything from Bear Grylls to bear spray. He has also published numerous guidebooks about hiking in the Washington and Oregon area.

We caught up with the author and adventurer to ask him a few questions of our own.

What made you want to become a trail expert?

While I’m flattered by the title, I’m not certain even folks as old as me, which is older than most glacier ice, have enough experience on the trails to be considered an expert. I learn something new every time I hit the trail, which these days means actually HITTING the trail every so often. I’d say I want to become a trail expert because I love the out-of-doors and the wild places, and I want to feel at home there.

How long have you been hiking?

I started hiking around 1952 with a guy who used to rent a bus and cart a mess of kids to various trailheads around my hometown in Spokane, Wash. The bus and hike cost 75 cents every Saturday, and he’d march us out into the woods where we’d build campfires, shoot a rifle, scramble for candy and gather as much dirt as we could to track into our respective houses. I earned my hiking money by carrying rich kids’ packs.

How long have you been writing about hiking?

I’ve been writing about hiking and the outdoors as a columnist for the old Bremerton Sun, a daily newspaper in Bremerton, Wash., since 1970. I became the outdoor and travel editor of the paper’s Sunday section, R&R, in 1989. I retired in 1998, although I still write an outdoors page and column for the Kitsap Sun every Tuesday.

I wrote my first guidebook Backcountry Ski! Washington in 1998 and have since written Day Hike! Olympic Peninsula; Day Hike! Columbia Gorge; The Creaky Knees Guide to Washington; The Creaky Knees Guide to Oregon; and co-wrote Day Hike! Mount Rainier. All were published by Sasquatch Books in Seattle, which is releasing my Wild Roads Washington guide in spring 2012.

Seabury Blair Jr. spotted in the wild. 

Who is the average day hiker?

More than 32 million people age 6 and older go hiking in the U.S., according to the Outdoor Industry Foundation. About 10 million of those hikers are between the ages of 6 and 24 years old. I’d guess that the “average” day hiker is a male Caucasian between the ages of 25 and 45 years old, closely mirrored by a female Caucasian in the same age group. Participation in day hiking declines after that, but not as rapidly as some other outdoor activities. It’s a wonderful activity at any age, and most of the folks I hike with are as old or older than me.

Are there any misconceptions about day hikes?

I think the biggest misconception about day hiking is a tendency to stereotype it as an “easy” outing. Of course, many day hikers choose easy trails and short hikes, but it’s as easy to challenge yourself on a day hike as it is on a multi-day backpack. For instance, I did two 50-mile day hikes when I was 50 and 51 years old and continue to hike 10 to 15 miles on day hikes on mountain trails.

Many hikers assume long-distance hiking is reserved for backpacking, but the truth is, you can take hikes of 15-25 miles and still not spend the entire day on your feet. These types of hikes are a more gentle way to treat the wilderness because you’re not camping overnight.

Do you typically wear a pack on your day hike? If so, what are the essentials you bring?

I usually carry a big pack, both because I like to tote a lot of food and often a bottle of wine, as well as extra clothing and the like. I pack as if I may have to spend the night outdoors, especially on long day hikes.

I carry what the Seattle Mountaineers consider the 10 Essentials: Extra food and clothing, a map of the area, a compass (although I carry a GPS, I worry about failed batteries), a flashlight and extra batteries, first aid kit, matches and fire starter, pocket knife, sunglasses and sun protection. In addition, I pack one of those foil “space blankets,” and of course, toilet paper.

What is the No. 1 thing people often forget on a day hike?

My guess the answer to that would vary according to geography. Certainly here on the rainy side of the Cascades, you’re most likely to leave the rain gear at home on a sunny day. Big mistake, because even if the clouds don’t open, there’s nothing like a good rain parka to keep the biting flies away.

Blair on Mt. Spokane

What’s your favorite trail meal or treat?

If I’m backpacking, I’m a real fan of freeze-dried meals you can make by pouring boiling water into the bag. I’ve heard that food described as sawdust and worse, but I actually like it.

I like traditional Gorp as a trail food and dried cherries a favorite. On day hikes, I like to carry a baguette, a good cheese and summer sausage, a bottle of red wine, an apple or grapes and enough chocolate to feed the Seventh Army.

What’s the biggest hiking no-no?

Although we’ve all broken it from time to time, the Cardinal Rule of hiking is:
Never hike alone. The biggest reason I can give for always following that rule? You may have to cut off your own arm.

Dozens—perhaps hundreds—of people are saved from injury and perhaps death on wilderness trails every year because their partners were there to call for help or come to their aid. Hike solo if you must, but be prepared to accept the worst consequences you can imagine.

What kind of hiking boots would you recommend for a day hike?

I’m afraid I’m old-school when it comes to hiking boots. So I’d probably suggest a boot that is mid-height to protect the ankle with a good midsole and at least a half-shank and an aggressive tread. Find the lightest pair you can, and hit the trail.

If you can afford them, one-piece, all-leather boots with a waterproof breathable liner are still the most durable, long-lasting hiking boots you can buy. But they are usually the most costly and may not be the choice of a day hiker who hits the trail on the weekends and is looking to save money.

You can find plenty of long-lasting, lightweight fabric and leather boots out there, and I’m very impressed with brands like Hi-Tec, Vasque and Lowa.

If you could only take one hike in the entire state of Washington, what would you recommend?

My favorite hike in Washington is the High Divide loop, which works both as a two- or three-day backpack or as a long day hike. Located in Olympic National Park, it’s an 18-mile trek with an elevation gain of about 3,000 vertical feet.

You begin and end at Sol Duc Hot Springs, which offers an excellent soak at the end of your trek. The trail begins in ancient forest and climbs to the source of the Sol Duc River in lingering snow and alpine meadows of the High Divide. You walk the high ridges above the Bogachiel and Hoh Rivers, looking down on the Seven Lakes Basin and across to the glaciers of 7.965-foot Mount Olympus, its 3-mile-long Blue Glacier so close you can hear it grumble.

If there’s a single downside to this hike, it would be the greater potential of poor weather. The Olympic Peninsula is one of the wettest spots in Washington State and Mount Olympus gets more than 240 inches of precipitation annually. Wait for the high pressure ridges of August and even September for sunny days on this hike.

On February 25, Michael McLaughlin set out on a hike for charity. This hike is neither a day hike nor a weekend excursion. Instead, McLaughlin has mapped out a 2,500-mile, six month-long hike that spans more than half of the country.

Why would someone go to such great lengths for charity?

As it turns out, McLaughlin has a personal connection to abused children. The 31-year-old told CBS news that he was beaten, starved and even electrocuted as a child. Through his hike, he hopes to bring funding and awareness to neglected children. His Hike4Kids will benefit the Family Resource Center in McLaughlin’s hometown of St. Louis and a school for neglected blind children in Cameroon, Africa.

We had the privilege of chatting with McLaughlin a few days before he set out on his fundraising journey.

What inspired you to hike versus other ways to raise funds?

When I originally considered holding a fundraiser, I was actually thinking of a bicycle trip because I really like bicycling and the outdoors. I’ve taken big trips on a bike before. When I pitched people the idea, they said, “Yeah, that’s nice, but many people have done that before.”

My wife loves hiking. She has hiked 550 miles with the Appalachian Trail and the Ozark Trail. She said, “Why not a thru-hike?” So, I started pitching the idea to people, and people really seemed to gravitate toward it. I think it was because it was a such long experience. Like, OK, to hike the Appalachian Trail and the Ozark Trail back-to-back, I mean we are talking at least six months. People were kind of impressed. It got people’s attention, and that’s what I was looking to do.

Why 2,500 miles? Why not 2,000 or 200?

I didn’t necessarily pick that number. What happened was I wanted to do the Appalachian Trail, but I wanted to do something more than the Appalachian Trail. To get the attention I wanted, I needed to be the first to do something. No one has ever hiked the Appalachian Trail and the Ozark Trail back-to-back. So, I thought, well, if I could do that, then it could be another element that would get people’s attention. Then I added up the mileage. It came up to be around 2,500.

I like the idea of hiking two trails for another reason, and that’s because I am supporting two charities. One of the charities is a local St. Louis charity, and the other charity is in Africa. So, it is more like a global cause. The Ozark Trail is kind of a local trail, and then we’ve got the bigger-name trail that a lot of people in the world know about. It kind of mirrored the causes that we are supporting.

This might be a silly question, but are those two trails connected in some way?

No, they are not. It would be nice if they were. My wife is going to drive me to Georgia, and I am going to hike north to Maine to finish the Appalachian Trail. Then my wife, who is very nice lady as you can tell, she is going to drive to Maine to pick me up. Then she will drive me back to Missouri, and I will immediately hike the Ozark Trail. I am not going to take any breaks. I am not even going to spend the night in my house.

So, this will not be a solo thru-hike?

I am going to be solo on the Appalachian Trail. When I am in Missouri, I had planned on being solo. However, there are people who said, “Hey, I will come hike two days with you.” I had a guy yesterday on Facebook who offered to hike the entire Ozark Trail with me. He said, “I was already planning on hiking it in March, but now that I hear about this great cause, I will wait until you get back.” I’ve never met that guy, but he seems pretty sincere. With the Ozark Trail, I might have more company.

McLaughlin soaking up the scenery on his charity hike. 

What is your hiking experience?

Until I decided to do this? Very little. The most I’ve ever hiked was 40 miles over a weekend.

I have been training for this for a few months now. The Mastodon State Park in Imperial, Mo., has one trail in particular that is straight uphill and then downhill. It is about 2.25 miles. My wife said that this was the best trail that simulated the uphill and downhill trials of the Appalachian Trail. So, I have hiked that trail so many times. I will get my pack and all my gear just as if I’m on the real trip to simulate the actual experience of the hike.

Has training for this hike had an impact on your daily life?

At the beginning, I weighed 233.6 pounds and now I weigh 210 pounds. I’ve lost quite a bit of weight. I have changed my diet, too. I’ve stopped eating so many hamburgers and started eating more salads. I guess it has been like two and half months. I just have had rapid weight loss.

I have also been sleeping in the woods behind my house in my hammock. I am going to use a hammock instead of a tent. And I have been sleeping in there just to get used to the idea of using it. There was even one night a couple weeks ago where it got really cold—it was a low of 16 with a wind chill of 4. It was one of the coldest nights we’ve had. My wife said, “Are you sure you want to go out there?” I said, “If I can’t deal with it now, what am I going to do out on the trail?” Nothing I do now is going to prepare me for the real experience, but I am doing my best to get ready for that.

What gear do you plan to bring along?

My backpack is from REI, and it is really lightweight. It weighs like 2 pounds. And I have a set of Vasque hiking boots. They are specifically called Vasque Breeze, and they’ve got Vibram soles, Gore-Tex lining and everything. My wife picked them out. I’ve got a rain jacket and a skirt. Since I am going to have gators, my wife said I don’t really need rain pants. So I got this rain skirt that is really lightweight.

In terms of my house, I am going to be using a hammock. I am going to use is the Warbonnet Blackbird Hammock. When there are wintery conditions, I have an underquilt that is also from Warbonnet. It’s called the Yeti, and it’s supposed to keep you warm down to like zero degrees. The underquilt is something that I have in the bottom of the hammock. It is made out of down. Inside the hammock, I was going to originally bring a Marmot sleeping bag, but I have decided against it because I am really going to go lightweight.

McLaughlin shows how his poncho also serves as his rain shelter. 

How heavy will your pack be?

My pack is going to weigh in the neighborhood of 20 to 22 pounds, including food for four days. Instead of the Marmot sleeping bag, I decided to go with the top quilt, which is a sleeping bag with no zipper and is open on one side. When you use a sleeping bag, your body weight compresses whatever it is sitting on. So it will compress the down and then the bottom of you isn’t getting much insulation. So, why do we need that part? That’s why the top quilt is open on one side. It is almost like a blanket.

I am also going to use the Warbonnet Super Fly. Basically it is more than a tarp. It almost makes the hammock look like a tent. It makes it so the hammock will not get wet if it rains, and that you can get out of the hammock and not get rained on. I can get out of the hammock, go to my pack to get something to eat and not get wet. My hammock is 29 ounces, and my top quilt is 30 ounces.

At this point of your training, do you feel pretty prepared?

All my life experiences, as bad as they were, they kind of helped prepare me for this hike. My wife has told me about people who have quit the trail. She said that people just have a hard time outside night after night. I said, “Well, that’s kind of an advantage for me because that used to be my life.” I used to be homeless and stuff. In a way those experiences made me who I am today, and they helped prepare for this. I know I can live outside for six months because I’ve done it before. And I know I can go without creature comforts because I know I can eat the same food day after day, and I can deal with all of that hardship.

One of the most recent pics of McLaughlin he took after hiking 10 miles in one day with a shin injury. 

What do you think you will gain from this experience?

I really think that by spending so much time alone, it is really going to help me figure out what I want to do with the rest of my life. I have an idea. I have lots of things I am working on, and I have plans. But to spend that much time just in the woods, I’m really going to have a lot of time to think about who I am, what I stand for and what I want to do with the next 30 years before I retire.

I am really looking forward to a peaceful hike. Sure, it will be a pain in the butt, and my knees will ache. At the same time, I will get a lot of time to think about my life and my plans for the rest of it. When I come back, I will be centered, and I will probably be in the best shape of my life. I also think mentally I will be in a really positive mood because this is going to be an adventure. It is going to be one of the adventures of my life. I will remember all the days when it was raining, and I pushed on. I am going to be really proud of it and cherish this memory

UPDATE: McLaughlin sent us an update saying: “I’m very close to the halfway point at Harpers Ferry. I’m so excited!.” We’re also excited for him! We were curious to see how the journey was going and asked him a few more questions. 

What’s been your biggest challenge so far?

Ankle problems.  I sprained my left ankle twice in the first few weeks of the hike.  It hurt both times but the pain the second time was excruciating.  I tried several ankle braces but none of them prevented my ankle from rolling when I stepped on rocks or tree roots.  It was very dispiriting as I constantly worried about spraining or breaking my ankle.  I eventually got an Aircast and haven’t had a single ankle problem since!

What’s been the most memorable moment?

Tough call.  I think about the night I hiked into Mountaineer Shelter a lot.  I hiked 24 miles and spent at least an hour hiking in the dark.  There was a thunderstorm so lightning would occasionally light up the forest around me, which was kind of eery.  When I finally reached the shelter, people were shocked that I had continued hiking through those conditions.  Many people are afraid to hike alone at night, much less during a storm, so they were really impressed and very kind toward me.

To track McLaughlin’s progress, be sure to check out his Facebook page. Interested in donating to Hike4Kids? Visit its donation page. 

If you’ve ever traveled to Portland, Oregon, then you’ve been to Stumptown. It was the nickname given to the northwestern city during a period of rapid growth in the 1840s. In fact, the city grew so quickly that tree stumps remained along the roads because there was no time to clear them. Thus Stumptown was born.

Today the name lives on. In August 2011, Danner released a line that paid homage to its hometown and its ties to the logging industry. Its Stumptown collection repurposes archived designs incorporating a vintage styling. Originally released with just 10 looks, the Danner Stumptown collection now boasts more than 21 styles—from the head-turning blue Mountain Trail Willamette to exceedingly rugged Rain Forest Heathman.

From sartorialists at GQ to outdoor enthusiasts, it appears as though everyone is salivating over the styles of Stumptown. Why? Because it’s lifestyle footwear wrapped in hardcore technology and high quality craftsmanship. Made in the USA, many of the boots feature a Gore-Tex waterproof lining and a hardy outsole. The boots are both functional and truly fashion forward.

Men’s Danner Mountain Light Terminal 4 GTX

It’s no surprise that all of these exceptional features will cost you a pretty penny. Stumptown boots range in price from $279-$339. Like all of Danner’s offerings, Stumptown boots possess the ability to be resoled at any time. That means Danner hiking boots are built to last a lifetime … or three.

What’s your favorite style in the Stumptown collection?

What do you think? Let us know if you agree, disagree or share your version of the “What I Do” meme. It’s almost too much fun.

]]> http://news.hikingboots.com/what-hikers-do/feed/ 1 http://news.hikingboots.com/wolverine-spring-trail-hikers-the-pulsar-and-flare/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=wolverine-spring-trail-hikers-the-pulsar-and-flare http://news.hikingboots.com/wolverine-spring-trail-hikers-the-pulsar-and-flare/#comments Fri, 03 Feb 2012 15:30:19 +0000 Katie Frasier http://news.hikingboots.com//?p=3252

What’s new for Wolverine’s Outdoor Collection in 2012? Hit the outdoors this spring in hot colors and stylish low-cut trail shoes. Steve from Wolverine let us know what we can expect from the brand’s newest outdoor styles, the Pulsar and the Flare.

The Pulsar is designed for optimal performance. The brand’s patented Individual Comfort System lets users personalize the amount of support they receive, creating a customized level of comfort for any hiker. New this year are updates to the ICS with a slightly more minimalist disc insert made of higher quality materials. Support is the name of the game for this style, with other features like an ankle supporting external heel counter and action frame stabilizers. These bright, super stylish hikers are sure to pop on the trail.

Men’s Pulsar in Blue

Wolverine introduces another lightweight, low-cut style for Spring with the Flare. This style features a breathable mesh upper for those long summer day hikes and a wave mesh liner that helps wick away moisture from your feet. Both styles sport rubber lug outsoles to keep you stabilized in tough terrain. The Flare will be available in Black and Light Grey for men and Dark Grey and Green for women.

Men’s Flare in Light Grey

Women’s Flare in Green

Editor’s note: We caught Wolverine on camera at the 2011 Outdoor Retailer show. The Gradient style featured in the video has since been dropped from the line.

Are you a fan of Wolverine’s Individual Comfort System?

Ruggedness and durability are the theme of Merrell’s latest additions to their Spring line. Meet the Trailstorm and Geomorph– footwear that’s built for toughness without sacrificing the level of comfort you need. We met with the brand to find out more about these hardcore new hikers.

A true backpacking-worthy boot, the Trailstorm boasts features like a custom Vibram outsole with shanks and a supportive, cushioning liner. This Outventure boot can handle heavy loads and tough terrains–think of them as the “off-road” boots of the trail. ”What we’ve tried to do is build a really rugged and aggressive outsole, so that if you are in areas where the terrain is really challenging and you have a pack on, you’re going to feel confident that this product is really going to deliver the sure-footedness that you want and need,” said Hy Rosario, VP Merrell Product Development. Add to that the structural support, Gore-Tex construction and rubberized toe bumper, and you have yourself one of the most heavy-duty hiking boots out there.

We also got to check out the Geomorph light hiker, an addition to Merrell’s Multi-Sport collection. The traction on this shoe is intense, featuring a rugged Vibram geomorph sole. The quick lace system makes these easy to pull on an off, ideal for those spontaneous on-the-go hikes. Again, comfort is key with a Merrell air cushion in the heel that absorbs shock and adds stability, and the mesh panels that provide breathability. With these hikers, you can go outside in confidence.

We were lucky enough to get a peek at these during last year’s Outdoor Retailer, but worry not–these awesome shoes will hit our warehouse early 2012!

Where will you wear your tough new Merrell shoes?