To paraphrase Steve Miller, I'm a writer, I'm a runner, I'm a long-distance hiker, sure don't want to hurt no one.... I got my trail name, Pony, in 2015 when I hiked the Colorado Trail. In 2016, I hiked the Appalachian Trail; 2018, Foothills Trail and Alabama Pinhoti Trail; 2019, Great Plains Trail pilot trail in South Dakota and Nebraska; on April 7, 2021 I will start the Pacific Crest Trail. My most recent books are "Bones of My Grandfather: Reclaiming a Lost Hero of World War II," "The Trail is the Teacher: Living and Learning on the Appalachian Trail," and "I See by Your Outfit: An Unexpected Cowboy Odyssey."
Posts
Great Strides: The Epic First Journey of Colin Fletcher, “Founding Father of Backpacking”
The Great Strides series will be an occasional feature of The Trek exploring some of the greatest walks and walkers in history, literature, and film.
BioLite HeadLamp 750 Review
BioLite has in recent years produced some excellent lightweight, USB-rechargeable headlamps. The 1.7-ounce BioLite HeadLamp 200 is my absolute go-to.
Xero Shoes Naboso Trail Sport Sandal Review
Hiking in sandals isn’t for everybody, and hiking in minimalist sandals is surely for fewer still. But if you’ve learned to appreciate hiking in
[Book Review] Barney Scout Mann’s PCT Memoir Among the Best of the Genre
Barney Scout Mann is so ingrained in trail culture that there aren’t quotation marks around his trail name on the cover of his remarkable new memoir,
[Book Review] Experience and Spirituality Shine in New AT Memoir
Returning to Katahdin: A Thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail Author: Bruce “RTK” Matson Publisher: Campbell & Parker, 221 pp. with
Gear Review: Counter Assault Bear Deterrent: How it Works, How to Use It
I have a pretty good idea how to review a book: Read book Write review Ditto for long-distance hiking gear and apparel: Use gear
Gear Review: Big Agnes Torchlight UL 20-Degree Sleeping Bag
In this strange, virus-infected spring, I find myself swooning to a new love, the Big Agnes Torchlight UL 20º, sent to The Trek for review. Though
[Book Review] First Book Dedicated to Shelters is a Gorgeous, Informative View of the AT and its History
The Appalachian Trail: Backcountry Shelters, Lean-Tos, and Huts Author: Sarah Jones Decker Publisher: Rizzoli International, 304 pages with color
Socks Appeal: 8 of Our Favorite Backpacking Socks for 2020
When it comes to planning a long-distance trek, choosing socks may not seem like a big priority on your gear list. Socks are socks,
Gear Review: Patagonia Nano Puff Jacket
In 2015 I bought a puffy for a hike on the Colorado Trail that weighed in at 12 ounces at the time of this writing. It’s a great piece, still going