"Plants use their roots to “listen in” on their neighbours, according to research that adds to evidence that plants have their own unique forms of communication. The study found that plants in a crowded environment secrete chemicals into the soil that prompt their neighbours to grow more aggressively, presumably to avoid being left in the shade."

https://www.theguardian.com/…/plants-talk-to-each-other-thr…

An informative post from Andrew Skurka in regards to guyline lengths for tents, tarps and hammocks.

"In addition to the widely recommended full body check at day’s end, I generally do a series of brief revisions every 30 to 60 minutes while hiking through tick infested areas. Why so often? Ticks usually spend about an hour (sometimes less) crawling about before they begin burrowing into your skin. The key is to get them before they start digging."

~ Appalachian Trail Conservancy, Sawyer Products, Appalachian Mountain Club, ExOfficio ~

An informative JMT planning guide from Lady on a Rock (who has hiked the trail four times). The article includes map and guidebook recommendations, alternate routes and logistical information.

http://ladyonarock.com/…/…/john-muir-trail-northbound-guide/

A compilation of gear recommendations from 11 of the most accomplished and experienced long distance hikers in the United States; with a token Aussie thrown in for good measure.

~ Anish Hikes, Liz Thomas Hiking, Andrew Skurka, PMags.com, Katabatic Gear, Montbell, Gossamer Gear, Zpacks, Ultralight Adventure Equipment, Granite Gear, Sierra Designs, YAMA Mountain Gear, Montbell America, Altra Running, Sawyer Products, Therm-a-Rest, Mountain Laurel Designs ~

The latest hiking documentary from Scott "Squatch" Herriott is now available at squatchfilms.com!

"Walking takes longer, for example, than any other known form of locomotion except crawling. Thus it stretches time and prolongs life. Life is already too short to waste on speed. I have a friend who's always in a hurry; he never gets anywhere. Walking makes the world much bigger and thus more interesting. You have time to observe the details."

~ Edward Abbey, "The Journey Home"

"In the very near future, the retail juggernaut will require all products it sells to meet stringent sustainability measures. These include macro-level changes like eliminating long-chain fluorocarbons in DWR treatments for jackets, requiring humane animal treatment in wool and down farming, and improving factory working conditions all over the world."

~ GearJunkie, REI ~

The Southeastern Serpentine Trail is a 583 mile (938 km) trek through the southern Appalachian mountains. It passes through four states (SC, NC, GA and TN) and consists of a combination of the Foothills, Bartram and Benton Mackaye trails, along with the Smokies section of the AT.

~ Appalachian Trail Conservancy, Benton MacKaye Trail Association, Foothills Trail Conservancy, #bartramtrail ~

Snakes aren’t interested in biting hikers. Whether you’re walking down the trail, sleeping under the stars or taking a sneaky number two behind a not-quite-big-enough bush, snakes want to avoid a potential encounter just as much as you do. That being said, if they feel threatened they can become defensive. Here is an overview of preventive measures and treatment options while hiking in snake country.

~ Pacific Crest Trail Association, Appalachian Trail Conservancy, Continental Divide Trail Coalition, Florida Hikes!, World Extreme Medicine

When thru or section hiking a long distance trail, backpackers regularly hitch into and out of towns for purposes of resupply and R&R. While there is no surefire formula to hitchhiking success, there are certain tips and techniques that can help improve your odds while making your way to and from the trailhead.

~ Pacific Crest Trail Association, Appalachian Trail Conservancy, Lady on a Rock, Embrace the Brutality: A Continental Divide Trail Adventure ~

"Like moths to a flame, so too are kids to mud. They are always slopping about in puddles and scrambling across rocks. They need shoes for running and exploring—with grippy traction and good laces—that will stand up to serious abuse but won’t weigh them down."

~ Outside Magazine ~

A great overview of backcountry water purification options from Andrew Skurka.

"High mountain ranges such as the Rockies, Andes and Himalaya offer some of the most spectacular hiking opportunities on the planet. However, trekking at high altitude brings with it certain inherent risks, the most common of which is altitude sickness, also known as acute mountain sickness (AMS). Whilst the dangers of AMS are very real, it is a malady which is almost entirely preventable, so long as some basic precautions are followed before and during your hike."

https://www.thehikinglife.com/…/tips-for-high-altitude-hik…/

My sleeping mat of choice for all three season, and many four season hiking trips over the past eight years has been the Therm-a-rest NeoAir XLite. If you have been thinking of buying one, now might be a good time to pull the trigger, as REI are currently running their 20% members off sale, and the small version of the mat is going for under $100 on Amazon.

https://www.thehikinglife.com/…/gear-review-therm-a-rest-n…/