Sheri Propster

  We love the idea that groundbreaking research in the field of environmental neuroscience is being conducted to determine the impact that backpacking, and the connection with nature that it provides, has on the human brain.  As a matter of fact, after reading Elisabeth Kwak-Hefferan’s article in the current issue of Backpacker Magazine (May 2012) highlighting David Strayer’s (Ph.D.) research, we like to think we felt a little smarter.  Not just because we knew that the appropriate word association of barrel, root and belly was beer, but because the article reinforced the years of lifestyle decisions we’ve been making that have allowed us to place our search for a disconnected solitude, remote trails, and wilderness environments as priorities in our lives. Read the rest of this entry »

 On the drive into Toulumne Meadows we were thumbing through the Yosemite Guide and the Park Brochure/ Map.

In the “Wild Yosemite” section of the brochure/park map that the Yosemite Rangers offer to each car rolling into the National Park, there is a line that reads, “In wilderness, people can sense being a part of the whole community of life on Earth”.  The “Wild Yosemite” paragraph is in the top right hand corner of the map side of the informative publication.

In the bottom left corner is the “Yosemite Basics” paragraph. Read the rest of this entry »

 “Was that thunder?” Sheri asked as she surveyed the blue skies above Aasgard Pass.  One of Randy’s biggest backcountry fears is lightning, so standing on a boulder near the top of an alpine Pass is not exactly the place Randy wants to be when an echoing rumble comes rolling across the mountainside. The ascent to Aasgard Pass (7841 ft.) from the edge of Colchuck Lake (5570 ft.) offers tons of open granite exposure, so if it was thunder we were hearing we would have needed to search out lower ground. 

Aasgard pass was our gateway to the Enchantment Lakes Basin.  The route we were following was voted one of America’s Best Hikes in Backpacker Magazine’s 2011 Readers’ Choice Issue.  The diverse combination of steep granite peaks, deep forested valleys, and basins running with crystal clear waters flowing from intense blue to emerald green alpine lakes, makes this destination a magical place truly worthy of the title Enchantments.  See our exact route in our SPOT Adventure. Read the rest of this entry »

 “I’m turning back”, Caroline declared between her panting breaths.  

Randy was walking behind Caroline, so both his point of view and the fact that he had just witnessed as Caroline conquered the extended climb, had allowed him to see Caroline’s witty grin and sense her sly sarcasm as she intentionally paused just below West Maroon Pass, the highest elevation of our entire route, to announce that she had had enough.

Sheri, on the other hand, had been sitting on top of the saddle below Belleview Mountain awaiting our arrival, so she was contently distracted by the unmatched beauty in her surrounding views of the Maroon Bells and Pyramid Peak as she dramatically replied, “No Caroline don’t stop now, you’re here, this is the top!” Read the rest of this entry »

 The Get Out More Tour provides us with a very unique opportunity to explore some of this country’s most amazing destinations.  Some locations, Glacier National Park or Yellowstone National Park for instance, are instantly on our list of “must-see” destinations each year.  Other locations are more difficult to find.

In an attempt to discover the hidden gems that many of you know and love we asked you to share your favorite destinations with us (“Where Is Your Backyard“), and we are extremely happy that many of you have responded.  Read the rest of this entry »

 The Get Out More Tour spent the past few days tackling another of America’s Best Hikes.

The Southeast Region is represented in Backpacker Magazine’s 2011 Readers’ Choice Issue by the Approach Trail Loop.

The Approach Trail Loop is actually an out and back with a loop in the middle.  The first (and last) mile includes 604 steps on a staircase leading from the bottom to the top (or the top to the bottom) of Amicalola Falls, which cascades 729 feet making it the Southeast’s highest waterfall.

The Approach Trail Loop combines the Appalachian Trail Approach Trail, the Hike Inn Trail and the Appalachian Trail through Amicalola Falls State Park and Chattahoochee National Forest. Read the rest of this entry »

 There is no doubt that we have visited our fair share of this country’s outdoor industry’s retailer locations.  At last count we are up over 220 unique stores, and the opportunity that we have been given to spend 5 to 6 hours setting up, breaking down, presenting clinics, talking with customers, and sharing stories with associates at retail locations all across the United States is something we don’t take for granted.  The opportunity to visit outdoor enthusiasts in their element and in their home towns has had a profound impact on both of us.  Our time in stores like The Trail Store, MAST General Store, Massey’s, Great Outdoor Provision Co., Rock Creek Outfitters, Adventure 16, REI, Bass Pro Shops, Cabela’s, Blue Ridge Mountain Sports, Mosquito Creek Outfitters, etc., etc. (over 220 stores makes for a big list) has enabled us to meet so many incredible people from so many walks of life.  Read the rest of this entry »

 We choose our equipment based on our destination specific research and the essential needs that make up an essential systems checklist.

 Destination specific research allows us to take a close look at the challenges we might face while exploring a particular destination. Read the rest of this entry »