
My name is Brandon, and I'm from Maine. I currently live overseas where I represent the United States as a Foreign Service Officer (diplomat) at our embassies abroad. I thru-hiked the Appalachian Trail in 2018 as a way to escape the hamster wheel and spend some good quality time in the US of A after being away for several years. I've also had the privilege of summiting Mt. Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, hiking the West Highland Way in Scotland, and fast-packing in the Himalayas. When not planning a hike, I'm training for ultramarathons or traveling to new places. Follow my experiences here on TheTrek and on my personal blog, FitForMiles.com
Posts
Gear Review: The Cutaway by Nashville Pack and Equipment Company
There is an undeniable influence on thru-hiking from the ultrarunning community, as evidenced by the growing use of items such as trail running
Best Sections of the Appalachian Trail to Hike in Spring
Springtime on the Appalachian Trail—can it get any better? I submit that it cannot. Nestled between the subzero temperatures of mountain winters and
Reaching the Roof of Africa: How to Hike Mount Kilimanjaro
Towering 19,341 feet above the Serengeti, Mount Kilimanjaro is the tallest free-standing mountain in the world and the highest peak in Africa. The
Longer Hikes and Fewer Crowds: The Best of Acadia National Park
Occupying approximately 47,000 acres across Mount Desert Island and the Schoodic Peninsula in Maine lies Acadia National Park. Although one of the
How I Saved Over $2,000 On My Appalachian Trail Gear
When considering the total cost of a thru-hike, one must factor not only the amount spent while hiking but also the expenditure on gear beforehand.
How to Hike the West Highland Way: 96 Miles Through the Scottish Highlands
Completed in 1980, the West Highland Way is a 96-mile linear long-distance footpath in Scotland running from the town of Milngavie, just north of
My Appalachian Trail Nutrition Plan
One of the common questions I receive about my 97-day AT thru-hike is, "What did you eat?". The short answer is: everything. The long answer is that
Five Items I Returned after the AT
The advice commonly given to prospective thru-hikers is that you must rigorously test your gear prior to an extended undertaking such as the
Bunionettes: A Lesser-Known Chronic Injury
Feet are the workhorses of any long-distance undertaking. They do the lion's share of the work and take the most damage of any body part. They get
Breaking Down My $2,500 Thru-Hike Budget
One of the major considerations when contemplating a thru-hike is, "Can I afford it?" Many hikers think they have arranged their finances properly,