Buzz Trexler's Hike in the Smokies

A series of entertaining, interesting stories about preparing for and then hiking though the Great Smoky Mountains National Park on the Appalachian Trail. Somewhat inspired by Bill Bryson's book, Buzz Trexler -- the managing editor at The Maryville (TN) Daily Times -- tells us how he and a few buddies fared out there on a very crowded section of Trail.

I found these stories, the preliminaries and those from the actual trip itself, all good reads. You will, too. If Trexler ever writes a hiking memoir, I think it'll be very well received.

So, then, here are links to the stories:

Pre-WalkColumns:

• Every journey begins with a single step -- onto the Wii balance board Originally published: 2011-12-20 Last modified: 2012-04-19
• You need to learn which voices to listen to on the trail Originally published: 2012-01-06 Last modified: 2012-04-19
• Don’t dig a new hole when trying to fill one in your spirit Originally published: 2012-01-16 Last modified: 2012-04-19
• He ain’t heavy; he’s my hiking brother Originally published: 2012-01-19 Last modified: 2012-04-19
• Filling in ‘Missing Link’ on a fall weekend Originally published: 2012-02-23 Last modified: 2012-04-19
• Getting over the Humps not always easy Originally published: 2012-03-16 Last modified: 2012-04-19

"A Walk in the Smokies" columns:

• There was something cosmic about deciding to take ‘A Walk in the Smokies’ Originally published: 2012-04-19 Last modified: 2012-04-25
• Join The Daily Times for ‘A Walk in the Smokies’ Originally published: 2012-04-25 Last modified: 2012-05-17
• A Walk in the Smokies: Severe weather alerts don’t deter mountain hikers Originally published: 2012-04-28 Last modified: 2012-05-17
• Through-hikers filling shelters along the way Originally published: 2012-04-28 Last modified: 2012-05-17
• Photo gallery from hike