Welcome to my bushwhacking blog!

I created this blog to introduce the pleasures and challenges of bushwhacking to traditional hiking and backpacking enthusiasts.  My goal is to move those individuals beyond the limited experiences of the trail and out into the near limitless opportunities for adventure and solitude in those out-of-the-way untrammeled places. Or, at the very least, give them the opportunity to enjoy these places through my own experiences.

Bushwhacking is defined as the act of traveling over land without the aid of a trail, road or any other path. It usually involves navigating with the aid of a map and compass, or these days, a hand-held GPS (the philosophy of the use of technology rather than the traditional methods, will, most undoubtedly, be the focus of a future post).  Bushwhacking is a subtype of off-trail hiking, occurring within areas where the natural vegetation forms forests.

Although this blog is not meant to be overtly regionally specific, its focus will be on the northeastern United States.  In fact, the vast majority of the trip plans and reports will take place in the Adirondack Park in upstate New York. This bias is not due to the superiority of the Adirondack Park’s bushwhacking experiences but merely due to its geographical proximity to my location in the Syracuse, New York area.  I will attempt to expand its geographical reach when possible, as opportunities arise to visit other areas in the future.

This websites’ posts will come in a variety of different flavors.  They will range from the philosophy of bushwhacking to descriptions of future trip plans or reports of trips I have made in the past.  Occasionally, a product review or best practice might be posted to help other’s enhance their bushwhacking experiences.

I hope this website will initiate a conversation about the potential of bushwhacking to enhance the appreciation of nature and all its beauty.  Please feel free to comment if you have any suggestion for future posts, ways to improve the website or anything question whatsoever with regards to bushwhacking.