Carol Fielding

Heyo! I’m Fortune Cookie. In late March of 2023 I began NOBO thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail. When I reached the summit of Katahdin, I checked the AT off my bucket list. The trail and her hikers taught me so much. Here's to learning, growing, and changing for the better. The day-jobs I left behind for six months were part-time newspaper reporter, weekly columnist, and part-time sales at an art gallery. When I returned to 'real life,' I became a full-time newspaper reporter. I'm currently writing a book about my thru-hike. When I’m not working, I enjoy hiking, beach glassing, chasing waterfalls and catching up on sleep.

Posts

One Year Later…

One Year Later…

It's been one year since I set foot on Springer Mountain to begin my AT thru-hike. Thinking back to the emotions of the first day, which ranged

Mar 28, 2024 : Carol Fielding
Angels and Magic in Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine

Angels and Magic in Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine

As I headed into the northernmost states, I assumed trail magic would dry up. It was the end of the hiking season, after all. I thought, who would be

Nov 25, 2023 : Carol Fielding
Maine, Part 2

Maine, Part 2

The 100-mile Wilderness and Baxter State Park mark the end of the NOBO journey. With just over 100 miles before the end of my AT adventure, I sat on

Oct 23, 2023 : Carol Fielding
Maine, Part 1

Maine, Part 1

For NOBOs like myself, Maine is the end of the trail. Crossing that final state line is bittersweet. Leaving Gorham, NH, I had high hopes that the

Oct 5, 2023 : Carol Fielding
New Hampshire: Hiking Just Got a Lot Harder

New Hampshire: Hiking Just Got a Lot Harder

The end of Vermont and the beginning of New Hampshire felt decidedly out of place for the AT. After all, it was all road walking from Norwich

Sep 12, 2023 : Carol Fielding
Vermont and the Hope for Sunnier Days

Vermont and the Hope for Sunnier Days

Watching YouTube videos and reading blogs and books prepared me for the pervasive mud that gives the Green Mountain State its nickname:

Aug 25, 2023 : Carol Fielding
Angels and Magic in New York, Connecticut, and Massachusetts

Angels and Magic in New York, Connecticut, and Massachusetts

Trail magic continues through the mid-Atlantic and into southern New England. I’m constantly amazed and always pleasantly surprised when I come

Aug 15, 2023 : Carol Fielding
Massachusetts and the Footbridge That Started it All

Massachusetts and the Footbridge That Started it All

The footbridge that crosses I-90, the Mass Pike in Massachusetts, is what started my fascination with the Appalachian Trail. Way back in the late

Aug 14, 2023 : Carol Fielding
Connecticut: Nice Hiking and Friendly People

Connecticut: Nice Hiking and Friendly People

Connecticut welcomed me with beautiful weather and friendly people. The first thing I hit in CT was trail magic in a parking area right on the

Aug 10, 2023 : Carol Fielding
New York Highs and Lows

New York Highs and Lows

Literally and figuratively, New York had plenty of ups and downs for me. When I was planning for my thru-hike, there were a few items on my “I can’t

Aug 9, 2023 : Carol Fielding