Blisters Dice Game™ was born during a 6 month walk from Georgia to Maine on the Appalachian Trail. The Appalachian Trail is a footpath along the Appalachian Mountains that extents from Florida to Canada. In 1987, when Blisters™ was created, the Appalachian Trail was 2145 miles long. It started atop Springer Mountain in Georgia. The trail wound its way to the northern terminus atop Mt. Katahdin in Maine. Mark and I spent six months on the Trail, experiencing the best and worst nature had to offer. Blisters was born as we waited out foul weather, tossing the dice to pass the hours. I called the game Blisters™ because my feet were covered with them.
The six-month Appalachian backpacking adventure was over, and I found myself in the real world. Even though the hike had ended, I continued to play Blisters and share the game with my friends. Everybody seemed to enjoy Blisters™ as much as I did so I decided to offer it to everyone. I wrote down the rules. I made a neat little package. Then, I contacted Channel Craft of Charleroi, Pennsylvania to manufacture and distribute my dice game to the world.
Channel Craft did a great job introducing Blisters Dice Game™ to the masses. By 1991, the game was neatly packaged with a tiny stuff sack and the six dice. It was offered to museum stores, camp stores, independent toy shops, game stores, and specialty shops across the United States. For over two decades Blisters sold steadily and became known among hikers and dice game fans.
In 2011, Channel Craft changed the name from Blisters™ to Take A Hike™. This was done to make the game more appealing to larger retailers like Cabelas and Bass Pro Shops. Even though Channel Craft stopped making and selling Blisters™, I would often get requests for the original game. I spent a year directing folks to Channel Craft for the new format. Then I decided to create a special edition for the true Blisters Dice Game™ fans.
As I stated, Blisters™ was also known as Take A Hike™. This format was found at Cabelas, Bass Pro Shops and other finer outdoor retailers. The name may be different, and the packaging is new. But, it is the same awesome game you’ve loved for over 25 years!
Not just for hikers, the dice game has caught on and now the whole world is enjoying Blisters™!
You can view the Blisters Game Rules Here. [link]
You can read an account of our entire 1987 hike on the Appalachian Trail here. [link]
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