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A.J. Matthews (Blue Steel)

Hi everyone! My name's A.J. and I'm hiking the Appalachian Trail this year. A long time ago, in a galaxy far away, my parents took me and my siblings on a roadtrip through the Smoky Mountains. I remember walking up Clingman's Dome and my dad telling me about thru-hikers for the first time. I remember my 10 year old self thinking how crazy people must be for wanting to walk all the way from Georgia to Maine. Fast forward to now and after completing college, military service, and working a mediocre job, I've found there's nothing else I'd rather be doing this year. Join me for the ride as I share the stupid things I do and enjoy the trip of a lifetime!

Posts

All Good Things Must Come to an End: My Final 2 Weeks on the Appalachian Trail

All Good Things Must Come to an End: My Final 2 Weeks on the Appalachian Trail

I've done it! I hiked the entire Appalachian Trail from Georgia to Maine. I could just post my summit photo and jump right to next adventure (or,

Aug 12, 2017 : A.J. Matthews (Blue Steel)
Living up to the Hype: Weeks 17-18 on the Trail

Living up to the Hype: Weeks 17-18 on the Trail

Since my last post, I've hiked through the most anticipated section of the trail, the White Mountains, and into the last state on the AT, Maine.

Jul 30, 2017 : A.J. Matthews (Blue Steel)
The Long (Trail) and Short of it: Weeks 15-16 on the Trail

The Long (Trail) and Short of it: Weeks 15-16 on the Trail

In my last post, I'd hiked through 4 states and into Great Barrington, MA. Since then, I climbed Mount Greylock, finished Massachusetts, walked over

Jul 13, 2017 : A.J. Matthews (Blue Steel)
Four States, One Update: Weeks 14-15 on the Trail

Four States, One Update: Weeks 14-15 on the Trail

After a week off in the big city with my girlfriend, I returned to the trail in New Jersey happy and fat, but not entirely relaxed. Playing tourist

Jul 1, 2017 : A.J. Matthews (Blue Steel)
How Painsylvania Earned its Name: Weeks 12-13 on the Trail

How Painsylvania Earned its Name: Weeks 12-13 on the Trail

The first time I ever visited Pennsylvania, I would've been about 14 years old. I was taking a road trip with my dad and two older brothers. We were

Jun 14, 2017 : A.J. Matthews (Blue Steel)
Halfway to Somewhere: Weeks 10-12 on the Trail

Halfway to Somewhere: Weeks 10-12 on the Trail

In my last post I left off in the town of Waynesboro, VA, where I took an unplanned zero day. Since then, I've hiked through the Shenandoah National

Jun 3, 2017 : A.J. Matthews (Blue Steel)
Knob, Knob, Knobbing on Heaven’s Door: Weeks 8-10 on the Trail

Knob, Knob, Knobbing on Heaven’s Door: Weeks 8-10 on the Trail

What a section! After leaving off in Pearisburg, I hiked the highly anticipated Dragon's Tooth, Mcafee Knob, and Tinker Cliffs, got drenched

May 17, 2017 : A.J. Matthews (Blue Steel)
Virginia is for Hikers: Weeks 7-8 on the Trail

Virginia is for Hikers: Weeks 7-8 on the Trail

In my last post, I'd just made it into Virginia and was taking a day off in Damascus. Since then, I've hiked through the Grayson Highlands and Dismal

May 5, 2017 : A.J. Matthews (Blue Steel)
The Road to Damascus: Weeks 5-6 on the Trail

The Road to Damascus: Weeks 5-6 on the Trail

After leaving Erwin, TN, I've had a fantastic, drenched week on the AT. I crossed the Beauty Spot, fell in love with the Roan Mountain Highlands,

Apr 23, 2017 : A.J. Matthews (Blue Steel)
The Hills are Alive with the Sound of Music: Weeks 4 and 5 on the Trail

The Hills are Alive with the Sound of Music: Weeks 4 and 5 on the Trail

After escaping the foul weather in the Smokies (that stranded many of my friends in Gatlinburg for a few days), I failed to escape the wintry weather

Apr 15, 2017 : A.J. Matthews (Blue Steel)