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Megadrought to increase the cost of food

A megadrought in California is threatening to push food prices even higher. The state is already facing its worst water shortage in four years and its driest season has only just begun, according to data from the National Integrated Drought Information System (NIDIS). A recent article from Business Insider looked at how this current drought […]

Heat waves, power outages, and shelf-stable food

The Pacific Northwest is currently experiencing a record-breaking heatwave that has shut down much of daily life for residents. In Salem, Oregon’s state capitol, temperatures reached 117 degrees, the hottest since record-keeping began in the 1890s. Seattle set an all-time high temperature of 106 degrees. Portland saw an extreme high of 115, breaking the previous […]

Previous Successes and Failures on the Appalachian Trail

As Gorgi Rigby starts hiking the Appalachian Trail this year with her sister Melanie (see previous post) it will be Melanie’s first time on the trail but not Gorgi’s. Her first time on the trail was with her son in June of 2016, starting in Maine with the intention of through hiking to Georgia and […]

Getting Ready for the Appalachian Trail

Gorgi Rigby not only turns 60 on June 22 but also starts a journey she has dreamed about for years – hiking the Appalachian Trail. Gorgi will be accompanied on this quest with her older sister Melanie. Melanie will turn 62 in August and is the mother of 5 children and 13 grandchildren. The Rigby […]

Backpacking and Burning Calories

Have you ever wondered just how many calories you burn while backpacking? The short answer – a lot! Of course, to figure out an exact number is a little difficult and can depend on a number of factors, including body weight, pack weight, elevation gain, terrain, and more. But it is possible to come up […]