Why I Started Camping Native: A Dream 30 Years in the Making
December 21, 2025
## A Dream 30 Years Strong
Some dreams fade with time. This one only grew stronger.
For as long as I can remember, the Appalachian Trail has called to me. 2,190 miles from Georgia to Maine. Five to seven months of walking. Every single step earned.
What draws me is the dedication it takes to tackle such a massive challenge and the resilience required to finish. I love the idea of friendships forged with strangers who become family. People who understand why you'd trade a comfortable bed for a sleeping pad on rocky ground.
## The Preparation Started Years Ago
When this dream took hold, I started hiking immediately. Then rucking. Then camping. A lot of camping. I became that guy who bought every accessory, tested every piece of gear, and spent more time researching tent weights than was probably healthy.
I completed a large portion of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail here in North Carolina. 1,175 miles of practice. Every mile taught me something: what gear works, what breaks, what I actually need versus what I thought I needed.
That experience is why Camping Native exists. I've made the expensive mistakes so you can skip them.
## The Question I Keep Asking Myself
I'm approaching 50. The body takes longer to recover than it did at 25. Some mornings my knees have strong opinions about yesterday's miles. The practical voice in my head asks: Can you still do this?
Then I read accounts from thru-hikers in their 60s, 70s, even 80s. People who decided that age was just a number on a calendar. Their stories encourage me and silence that doubtful voice.
If they can do it, I can do it. The only question is when.
## The Deeper Why
Here's something I rarely talk about: I'm a tech entrepreneur. My days are filled with screens, notifications, and the constant hum of being connected. I love what I do, but I also crave the opposite.
I crave being analog.
The trail offers something my daily life doesn't: genuine disconnection. No Slack messages. No email. No algorithms deciding what deserves my attention. Just the rhythm of footsteps, the weight of a pack, and the simple question of where to sleep tonight.
There's a stoic philosophy at the core of this. The trail strips away everything unnecessary and forces you to confront what remains. Who are you when the distractions disappear? What thoughts surface when you walk in silence for hours? What do you actually need to be content?
I want to find out.
## Why Camping Native Exists
I built this site to share everything I've learned along the way. The best trails. The campsites worth the drive. The gear that actually holds up and the stuff that falls apart after one trip.
More than that, I want to build a community of people who love the outdoors as much as I do. People chasing their own adventures, whether that's a weekend car camping trip or a months-long thru-hike.
If you're here, you're one of us. Welcome to the tribe.
Let's explore together.
Brian
