Author | Lightnews

Alex On the Trail

@alexonthetrail.bsky.social

520 followers 130 following 210 posts

Middle aged, out of shape, overweight solo hiker and backpacker, and burgeoning YouTuber working my way up to a long distance thru hike. Getting fit and losing weight by being outdoors and hitting the trails! All images are my own except reposts.

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Alex On the Trail @alexonthetrail.bsky.social · 5d

One of the greatest features of Bluesky is being able to block accounts.

#whitehouse-47

Alex On the Trail @alexonthetrail.bsky.social · Sep 5

My daughter would be all over this.

Alex On the Trail @alexonthetrail.bsky.social · Aug 24

🤣

Alex On the Trail @alexonthetrail.bsky.social · Jun 14

🤣

Alex On the Trail @alexonthetrail.bsky.social · Jun 8

😂🤣😂

Alex On the Trail @alexonthetrail.bsky.social · May 29

I love my Enduro 2 and it seems like they rolled a bunch of its features into the Fenix. I don't know anyone who dislikes the Fenix. It's a solid choice for sure.

Alex On the Trail @alexonthetrail.bsky.social · May 28

I feel cheated! 🤣

I've rectified the situation for the hiking activity on my Garmin Enduro 2.

Thanks @craigdodge.org!

Craig in Cambodia @craigdodge.org · May 28

I learned something new today: 2D distance vs 3D distance. I record hikes with a Garmin Venu 2+. It measures distance and ascent, but distance is just measured between GPS points, as if on flat terrain, understating the actual distance hiked. Did you know that? Time to upgrade to Fenix 8. #hiking

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Alex On the Trail @alexonthetrail.bsky.social · May 28

Well if nothing else you'll probably improve your battery life. My Enduro 2 lasts a bit over a month in smart watch mode before I have to charge it, vs the 5 days of life my Vivoactive 4 was getting.

Alex On the Trail @alexonthetrail.bsky.social · May 28

Well, that's a bummer. I would think it's only math and I would assume that it would be something that could be calculated if you can track distance and elevation gain. If nothing else, I would have thought it could be calculated in Garmin Connect. Sorry to hear it's not an option for your Venu.

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Alex On the Trail @alexonthetrail.bsky.social · May 28

Interesting. I assumed all the Garmin watches calculated 3D distance. I also discovered that my Enduro 2 wasn't recording in 3D so I just enabled it for my "Hiking" activity.

Thanks for the info!

PS Google says 3D should be available on the Venue 2+.

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Alex On the Trail @alexonthetrail.bsky.social · May 27

New episode drop.

First Solo overnight backpacking trip of 2025.

I hike along the lower Deschutes River in the high desert side of Oregon. Zero people and an incredibly peaceful and easy hike with minimal elevation gain.

youtu.be/raQ__pQFW5Y

High Desert and White Water Ducks

YouTube video by Alex On the Trail

youtu.be

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Alex On the Trail @alexonthetrail.bsky.social · May 27

I've walked into the middle of a herd before and had them flow around me as they took off running. I was as still as a stone. It was one of the most amazing experiences of my life.

Alex On the Trail @alexonthetrail.bsky.social · May 25

Upgraded my sleeping pad. REI's anniversary sale paired with the gift card I received from my kids for my birthday pushed me over the top on pulling the trigger on a Nemo Tensor all season ultralight pad. Shaving 16oz off my pack weight.

#hiking
#backpacking
#Nemo
#sleep

Alex On the Trail @alexonthetrail.bsky.social · May 24

🙏🪷🕉️

Alex On the Trail @alexonthetrail.bsky.social · May 24

Not an ad, but while searching for jobs related to the outdoor recreation industry, I stumbled across the blog page for Six Moon Designs. I've been to their site plenty of times for shopping. They have a surprisingly interesting blog page. Worth checking out!

www.sixmoondesigns.com/blogs/newsle...

Ultralight Hiking Blog - Six Moon Designs

Six Moon Designs news, updates and company info.

www.sixmoondesigns.com

Alex On the Trail @alexonthetrail.bsky.social · May 19

Abs?!?

Look at those guns!!!

#fitness
#goals

Alex On the Trail @alexonthetrail.bsky.social · May 19

😂

Alex On the Trail @alexonthetrail.bsky.social · May 7

Another endorsement for the WTA. They're a fantastic resource for planning your hiking and backpacking trips in Washington State.

Washington Trails Association @washingtontrails.bsky.social · May 7

Did you know that in addition to our Hiking Guide and Trailblazer app, WTA provides seasonal hike recommendations, safety tips and gear advice?

In spring, that means helping you find wildflowers, avoid (or find) late-season snow and hike safely with wildlife 🌼🐐

📸 Photo by Billy Baugher

A kid goat looks over its shoulder from a hillside of subalpine wildflowers. You can support trails and greenspaces by giving to Washington Trails Association during GiveBIG!

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Alex On the Trail @alexonthetrail.bsky.social · May 6

Altra or Keen. Stay away from the Keen Zionic though, it has a treacherous tread.

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Alex On the Trail @alexonthetrail.bsky.social · Apr 24

Also... I'm totally vacuuming the dandelions from now on!
Freakin' brilliant!

🤣

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Alex On the Trail @alexonthetrail.bsky.social · Apr 24

Living the dream! Happy trails!

Alex On the Trail @alexonthetrail.bsky.social · Apr 23

🤣🤣🤣

Thanks for the laugh!

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Alex On the Trail @alexonthetrail.bsky.social · Apr 18

I'm a nodder.
Noder?
Nod-er? (<--probably that one)

Alex On the Trail @alexonthetrail.bsky.social · Apr 18

Lol. That's living right there!

Alex On the Trail @alexonthetrail.bsky.social · Apr 13

Thanks for the follow! 😀