My Gripes With the 2026 Southern Appalachian Highland Conservancy Winter Hiking Contest

At the end of last year, I published a blog announcing that I was going to take part in the … More

A man giving a thumb's up to a foggy view from the Rich Mountain Fire Tower.

Nothing Went Right On My Rich Mountain Fire Tower Sunrise Hike

Nothing went right for me on my recent hike to Rich Mountain Fire Tower outside Hot Springs, NC.

You Don’t Need to Optimize a Sunrise

Sometimes a sunrise could just be a sunrise.

I Just Signed Up for the 2026 SAHC Winter Hiking Challenge

Discover how an Instagram scroll led me to the Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy’s Winter Hiking Challenge 2026—and why I’m committing to 60 miles of winter hiking in the North Carolina mountains and Southern Appalachian trails.

Shortoff Mountain sunset view over Linville Gorge.

A Shortoff Mountain Sunset Hike Was Almost as Chaotic as Black Balsam Knob

A local compares Black Balsam and Shortoff Mountain sunsets—two iconic WNC hikes with unexpectedly chaotic vibes, weddings, parties, and unforgettable views.

Full moon hike on Black Balsam Knob in Western North Carolina.

Lessons From My First Full-Moon Hike in Western North Carolina

I finally checked “full moon hike” off my Western North Carolina bucket list with a nighttime trek up Black Balsam. Here’s what I learned about timing, trails, and how to make a full moon hike actually magical.

Sunrise at Mt LeConte viewed from Alum Cave Bluff in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

A Sunrise at Mt LeConte

After getting laid off at a Virginia rest stop, I hiked to watch the sunrise at Mt. LeConte. Reflections on layoffs, friendship, and the kind of clarity only the Smokies can give you.