I began thru-hiking north on the Appalachian Trail in March of 2019. With steep climbs and even steeper learning curves, the AT was everything I'd hoped for… until four months in, I broke my ankle in New Jersey. With a newly strengthened distal fibula, I’ve made my way back to the trail and pieced together 400 more miles over the past three years- a journey filled with rocks, roots, and rattlesnakes- plus new trail friends to help weather everything from tornadoes to trailer hostels. Inspired by little churches along the trail, I took a call in 2020 to pastor the Woodstock Reformed Church in the Catskill Mountains (NY). My hope is to complete the final stretch of NH and ME before I'm 50! (i.e., before July 2026), to officially finish my "M.Y.T.H." - or, Multi-Year Thru-Hike. Best of all, I’m now joined by my rescue pup Ollie, who shares my love for town treats, petite gear, and cozy shelters in the rain.
Posts
My Five Favorite Thru-Hiker Items
It's still early, but one week in, here's my "For the win!" list: 1. Garage Grown Gear Fanny Pack Lightweight, holds a lot, waterproof,
“He Gone!” Stuff I Threw Out* My First Week
What I got rid of in my first two days of thru-hiking
Top Ten Funniest Things People Said as I Prepared to Hike the AT
Things people said that made me laugh
5 Things No One Tells You About Packing for a Thru-hike
1. Stuff isn't just stuff"Pack light!" everyone says. It's the night before I leave for Atlanta to start thru-hiking the AT. I have already boxed
Why Are You Hiking the Appalachian Trail?
"Do you think you should do this, at your advanced age?" my 66-year-old dad said to me last night half-jokingly at dinner. I am 42, just left my