Derek Witteman

Sup Fam! My name is Derek “Witch Doctor” and I'm thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail NOBO in April 2023. Im from Paradise, CA originally and now I live in San Antonio, TX and have had the pleasure of living in WV, HI and Honduras in between. In no particular order I'm a physician, veteran, hiker, nerd, jokester and student of the game. Follow my journey on The Trek, Facebook or Instagram @Barkelycharles.

Posts

Day 157 – The Famous Shaws Hiker Hostel

Day 157 – The Famous Shaws Hiker Hostel

We all woke up between 6 and 7 and conversed while we ate breakfast. Wiki, Orphan, Feral Goat, Purple Pioneer, Hays, and I all seem to hike a similar

Sep 19, 2023 : Derek Witteman
Day 156 – Dayglow

Day 156 – Dayglow

Despite not sleeping well, I was up around 7:30 for breakfast at the Sterling Inn. It was a decent spread of cold continental breakfast items and

Sep 19, 2023 : Derek Witteman
Day 155 – Hurricane Hot Tub Party

Day 155 – Hurricane Hot Tub Party

I heard waves from Pierce Pond lapping at the shore next to my tent. The only flat tent location I could find the night prior when I arrived was a

Sep 18, 2023 : Derek Witteman
Day 154 – Working For The Weekend

Day 154 – Working For The Weekend

A biting wind kicked up around 7AM. It was like a swift kick in the pants to get up and start hiking. It was as if the wind was Rob Schneider

Sep 17, 2023 : Derek Witteman
Day 153 – Holy Moly

Day 153 – Holy Moly

What a turn of events. One day I’m wallowing in self-pity, the next I’m leaping tall mountains in several trek pole aided bounds. All after sleeping

Sep 16, 2023 : Derek Witteman
Day 152 – Reprieve

Day 152 – Reprieve

It was an early to bed, early to rise kinda day. I was up before 6. I ate breakfast inside my tent as there was a small sprinkle of raindrops

Sep 14, 2023 : Derek Witteman
Day 151 – Damp

Day 151 – Damp

Rain pattered on the tin roof shelter in the morning. I was slow getting going. Breakfast was the usual. I used some of Hot Feets KT tape to cover

Sep 13, 2023 : Derek Witteman
150 – Moist

150 – Moist

The ambient light of day woke me up around 6:30 from sleep. I tried to sleep a bit more and was awake a little after 7:00. I ate a poptart and gummy

Sep 13, 2023 : Derek Witteman
Day 149 – Slippery When Wet

Day 149 – Slippery When Wet

I woke up a little after sunrise around 7:00 something. It’s been nice being able to have the sun be my alarm clock. I wonder if that will continue

Sep 13, 2023 : Derek Witteman
Day 148 – Oh Oh It’s Magic

Day 148 – Oh Oh It’s Magic

I had to get up in the middle of the night. The bunk room I was in was boiling hot and I couldn’t sleep. Oddly enough the rest of the house was cool

Sep 11, 2023 : Derek Witteman