Category Archives: Backpacking

“. . it’s a wonder I can think at all.”

Posted on February 17, 2013 by Ozark Hiker

I have some leave coming up that I have to take, about three days.  The last three of the week.   February is one of my favorite times to hike and we’ve had such mild weather lately that it has been … Continue reading →

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Raising boys

Posted on February 11, 2013 by Ozark Hiker

  I’ll admit, I don’t always feel like I have a handle on fatherhood.  That initial shock I felt as I drove Bear Bait home from the hospital – you know, that terrifying realization that they just gave an infant … Continue reading →

Posted in Backpacking with Kids, Devil's Eyebrow, Random Off-Trail Musings | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

Devil’s Eyebrow

Posted on February 10, 2013 by Ozark Hiker

Started out as a cold morning and I trusted the weather report a bit too much.  Dressed the boys in track pants and long sleeves.  Bear Bait was excited to wear some of his Christmas present gear, particularly an under-armor … Continue reading →

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Exploring Devil’s Eyebrow

Posted on February 10, 2013 by Ozark Hiker

We’ve had a long run of beautiful, Spring-like days this Winter.   Momma had signed up to jump in Beaver Lake for the Polar Bear Plunge and there was no way I was going to hang out lake-side in the cold … Continue reading →

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What we left behind . . .

Posted on December 16, 2012 by Ozark Hiker

A text from Kat tonight asking if he left something in my truck gave me an idea.  When he was trying to hump all three packs back toward the rock wall on Cecil Cove Loop, best guess is that he … Continue reading →

Posted in Backpacking Gear, Buffalo River, Ponca Wilderness Area, Random Off-Trail Musings, Trip Report | Tagged | 1 Comment

Travel Not Recommended (Part 4)

Posted on December 15, 2012 by Ozark Hiker

<– Part 3 Funny how the brain works.  In the moment, it was like I could feel every second.  Terrified that each minute would be something permanent done to my friend’s mind.   Adrenaline coursing through me, waiting on him to … Continue reading →

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Travel Not Recommended (Part 3)

Posted on December 15, 2012 by Ozark Hiker

<–Part 2 |  Part 4 –> It started with the camera.  We were getting dressed again, gathering up shoes and gear.  Still laughing.  Grap asks me if I have his camera.  I checked.  Nope.  Still cold, I start moving on … Continue reading →

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Travel Not Recommended (Part 2)

Posted on December 15, 2012 by Ozark Hiker

<–  Part 1   |   Part 3 –> We hopped back into the Yota and turned to travel down a Not Recommended road.  I’m gripping the steering wheel with both hands, doing a 10 and 2 like a fourteen-year-old in his … Continue reading →

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Travel Not Recommended (Part 1)

Posted on December 15, 2012 by Ozark Hiker

I dedicate this trip report to the memory of Grap.  He’s not dead or anything or it’d be in memory of.  Nope . . . this one’s just to his memory. This hike began, in a lot of ways, with … Continue reading →

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Life happened

Posted on March 18, 2012 by Ozark Hiker

So, Friday night around midnight I was sitting in the E.R. with my wife.  I sort-of expected to end up in the emergency room – but not so quickly and not for these reasons.  After work she complained of chest … Continue reading →

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