REI Alpharetta – Over 800 people waiting in line at 10am

  REI opened their 5th store in the Atlanta metro area today in Alpharetta, GA and clearly their marketing folks have figured it out.  There were over 800 people waiting in line at 10am when the doors opened. Yeah …. people love free stuff, and REI delivered.  The first 200 in the door received a water bottle with a $25-100 gift card […]

Relying Too Much On Technology On The Trail

Here's an interesting article about over reliance on technology on the Trail.  From Glacier National Park and reported by the Magic City Morning Star:    “I don't know what to do,” she said several times. And that, of course, was the problem. They were strangers in this strange land of “no cell service.” No texts. No […]

Bill Irwin, First Blind Hiker To Hike The Appalachian Trail, Is No Longer With Us

I read Bill Irwin's book during my 1994 thru-hike – very inspiring.  He was the first blind hiker to hike the entire Appalachian Trail and did it with the assistance of his dog Orient.  Sad to hear that he has passed over the weekend: “Bill Irwin, who in 1990 became the first and only blind […]