When I started doing research three years ago for "100 Classic Hikes in North Carolina," the first thing I did was hold a series of discussions about hiking, during which I trotted out the list of 100 hikes I was contemplating. Folks would look the list over and make their recommendations. Based on those discussions, I swapped out about 50 of the hikes I was planning to do in favor of suggestions from y'all.
Section 13 of the Falls Lake Trail: The start (or finish) of a 37-mile journey.
I'm in the process of doing the same with my next book project, "Backpacking in North Carolina," tentatively scheduled to come out in Spring 2010 from UNC Press. Last week, I was at Great Outdoor Provision Co. in Cameron Village, last night I was at the REI at North Hills. Tonight, I'l be at the REI in Cary and tomorrow night, the REI in Durham, across from the Streets at Southpoint mall. Both events get underway at 7.
I'll begin with what I know — four backpacking trips in the Triangle. Then I'll deftly switch to picking your brains about backpacking throughout the state. Come armed with your favorite trails, and don't worry about sharing them with others in a book to be made available in North Carolina and neighboring states. Your favorite secluded getaway is safe with me. Who reads guide books anyway?
Really.
