Author Archives: Deserrae Potts

Sources of information, inspiration, and motivation (to plan a thru hike of the Appalachian Trail)

This blog post originally appeared on my trail blog for The Trek which you can read here. Before hitting the trail I have asked countless questions about what I am really getting myself into. To answer this question I have done my own research on just about anything I could think of for the trail.ContinueContinue reading “Sources of information, inspiration, and motivation (to plan a thru hike of the Appalachian Trail)”

Backpacking at Zaleski State Forrest Round 2: December

This is a link to the map I am referring to throughout the post. Pictures are at the end. After two different plans to go backpacking fell through, my friend Caroline and I found three days that we could go backpacking at Zaleski State Forrest in Ohio. We knew it was going to be coldContinueContinue reading “Backpacking at Zaleski State Forrest Round 2: December”

Data I would like to potentially collect and analyze for my AT thru hike

While I am on the AT I plan to record certain data daily so I can analyze them at the end of my hike for my own entertainment and to give other hikers information. Here are some of the things I want to track. If you have any other interesting ideas please leave them inContinueContinue reading “Data I would like to potentially collect and analyze for my AT thru hike”

Backpacking Bucket List

This is my bucket list of some backpacking trails I would love to do. I’m slowly finding more and starting to compile a list of them along with links. If you have any suggestions especially of a good loop or shorter trail please leave a comment! Arkansas Buffalo River Trail California John Muir Trail -ContinueContinue reading “Backpacking Bucket List”

John Bryan State Park and Clifton Gorge Nature Preserve; Yellow Springs, Ohio

This weekend I went hiking at John Bryan State Park and Clifton Gorge Nature Preserve in Yellow Springs Ohio with my friend Ester. We began our hike on the Pittsburgh to Cincinnati Stagecoach trail at John Bryan which was an hour drive from Columbus. We learned that we could turn our hike into one bigContinueContinue reading “John Bryan State Park and Clifton Gorge Nature Preserve; Yellow Springs, Ohio”

Backpacking in Shenandoah National Park

This past week I got the chance to go backpacking at Shenandoah National Park with a club from school called Women In The Outdoors. We left for Virginia on Thursday but first we spent a night base camping at Seneca Shadows campground in Seneca Rocks WV.  The night of base camping was nice to hangContinueContinue reading “Backpacking in Shenandoah National Park”

What’s in My Pack? The essential gear I bring along every backpacking trip … so far

With my upcoming trip to Shenandoah National Park this week I was inspired to make a post about what I bring in my pack. I am still a beginner backpacker, but this is the gear I am brining on this trip! Pack: Osprey Aura AG  65 … 4lbs Tent: REI camp dome 2 ( giftedContinueContinue reading “What’s in My Pack? The essential gear I bring along every backpacking trip … so far”

Ariel Foundation Park; Mount Vernon Ohio

Today Emma and I ran a 5 mile race at this park. The race was called Brokeman’s Classic and we only paid $12 to run! I’ve been following this running company for a while and looking at their races. They always have really cheap ones in comparison to everything else which is super nice, especiallyContinueContinue reading “Ariel Foundation Park; Mount Vernon Ohio”

Olentangy Indian Caverns 9/16/18

I’ve always been interested in going to see these caverns since I was looking up all the caves in Ohio this past spring but I just hadn’t had a chance to until this weekend. My friend Ester brought up the caverns in conversation one day and she has been the only person who’s ever mentionedContinueContinue reading “Olentangy Indian Caverns 9/16/18”

Little Miami National Scenic River

This past weekend Jeff and I had plans to go see a sunflower field in Deerfield township Ohio. Because we were driving an hour and a half to the Cincinnati area we decided to do a kayaking trip while we were there. We made reservations the day of at Loveland Canoe and Kayak. We paidContinueContinue reading “Little Miami National Scenic River”

Backpacking at Raccoon Creek State Park (PA) 8/9-8/10

I had been begging Emma to go on some sort of camping trip with me all summer. I was very happy when she told me she’d like to try backpacking for a night! She doesn’t have any of her own equipment so in order for this to be possible she borrowed Jeff’s backpack and sleepingContinueContinue reading “Backpacking at Raccoon Creek State Park (PA) 8/9-8/10”

Allegheny Portage Railroad National Historic Site 8/3/18

I stopped at this NHS on my way home to Columbus coming from Dallas PA. My main motivation for stopping here was because I purchased a National Parks Passport that I can get stamped and I have yet to use it since the day I bought it. This post is more of a picture dumpContinueContinue reading “Allegheny Portage Railroad National Historic Site 8/3/18”