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; I hiked the Pacific Crest Trail from April 7-Aug. 7, 2021; I completed the ~240-mile Cape Wrath Trail in Scotland in May 2023; I hiked the first 1,060 miles of the Continental Divide Trail in 2022 and will start SOBO to complete the CDT on July 6, 2023. 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," Adrift on the Pacific Crest Trail," and "I See by Your Outfit: An Unexpected Cowboy Odyssey."
Posts
Sea to Summit Ascent AcII Sleeping Bag Review
On my last thru-hike (PCT, 2021) I used a quilt for the first time. Thanks to (mostly) cooperative weather, a 20-degree quilt proved to be just
Tom Turcich (and His Pup) Set to Complete 7-Year Around-the-World Walk Next Month
On April 2, 2015, Tom Turcich, 33, left his home in New Jersey to walk around the world. More than seven years, 26,000 miles, six continents, and one
Topo Athletic MT-4 Trail Runner Review
I am admittedly a big fan of Topo Athletic trail shoes, both for running and long-distance hiking. I discovered the company a few years ago after the
Icebreaker Merino 200 Sonebula Base Layers Review
The Icebreaker Sonebula thermal base layer set is a midweight, 100% merino wool next-to-skin layer for hikers and backpackers. How do these thermals
Jack Wolfskin JWP Atmos Jacket Review
Jack Wolfskin, a German company working on building inroads to the North American outdoor market, has been putting out some good — and good-looking —
PCT Receives $4.4 Million to Reduce ‘Three to Five Years’ of Backlogged Maintenance
The Pacific Crest Trail will receive an injection of $4.4 million from the $9 billion Great American Outdoors Act passed by Congress in 2020 to begin
Ryan ‘Constantine’ Bunting sets North Country Trail FKT and Becomes Youngest Hiker to Complete All 11 National Scenic Trails
On Nov. 3, Ryan “Constantine” Bunting and his partner, Dana “Magpie” Burkett set the fastest-known-time for hiking North Country Trail, walking
Topo Athletic Terraventure 3 Review
In previous shoe reviews, I've expressed my frustration with shoe companies that issue a "new and improved" model of a favorite trail shoe that turns
Great Strides: PCT Angel Uncovered History of Earliest Known Continental Divide Thru-Hiker
Great Strides is an occasional feature of The Trek exploring notable walks and walkers from history, literature, and film. If not for the
Jack Wolfskin JWP Down Jacket Review
I often find myself wondering how much lighter materials for outdoor gear can realistically get, short of the Perseverance rover discovering some