Smokebeard

Ed has hiked the the 2652+ mile Pacific Crest Trail, the 2160+ mile Appalachian Trail, the 270 mile Long Tail, across Scotland on the 73+ mile Great Glen Cycle Route, all 46 of the Adirondack High Peaks, the 78+ mile Rhode Island North/South Trail, and the Saranac Six. He is also a certified Leave No Trace Trainer. A former MATC Caretaker in the Piazza Rock/Saddleback area, he’s passionate about applying Leave No Trace as an ethical system. His latest journey was a two week loop of Mt. Rainier on the Wonderland Trail. He can be found somewhere on the Continental Divide Trail, a 3000+ mile walk from Mexico to Canada. Reports on his other travels, mostly in New England, are at http://edthesmokebeard.com

Posts

Five Bad Days on the PCT and How I Got Through Them

Five Bad Days on the PCT and How I Got Through Them

There are plenty of blogs, vlogs, Instagram feeds, and hiker war stories out there that highlight how awesome doing a long-distance hike can be.

Feb 28, 2019 : Smokebeard
Lone Wolves to Trail Families: Who’s Who in the Thru-Hiking Social Dynamic

Lone Wolves to Trail Families: Who’s Who in the Thru-Hiking Social Dynamic

A large and integral part of a thru-hike is the social aspect.  As with most human endeavors, there's a broad spectrum of interest—some people are in

Nov 25, 2018 : Smokebeard
PCT Thru-Hike by the Numbers

PCT Thru-Hike by the Numbers

Now that I'm off trail and home for a bit, I've been doing some thinking about the trip as a whole.  People ask me, "What was it like?" and I reply,

Oct 31, 2018 : Smokebeard
One Month Later – Recovering from the PCT

One Month Later – Recovering from the PCT

If you're looking for another story of swashbuckling adventure, filled with daring pickup truck hitches, pictures of snowy peaks, and musings on the

Oct 16, 2018 : Smokebeard
Smokebeard’s Final PCT Gear List and Review

Smokebeard’s Final PCT Gear List and Review

A lot of people have asked me about gear---how many pairs of shoes did I go through, did my tent leak, how was my backpack, that sort of thing. 

Oct 10, 2018 : Smokebeard
Highlight Reel of Pictures from My 2018 PCT Thru-Hike

Highlight Reel of Pictures from My 2018 PCT Thru-Hike

I've put together an admittedly self-indulgent highlight reel of pictures from my hike.  My goal was to do one picture per day, but the video would

Oct 5, 2018 : Smokebeard
Book Six, Chapter Six – Five Days of the Smokebeard

Book Six, Chapter Six – Five Days of the Smokebeard

(With apologies to Redford and von Sydow) Sept. 12 We left Harlequin Bridge around 7, and got to High Bridge by 9:30. Faceplant saw a bald

Sep 18, 2018 : Smokebeard
Book Six, Chapter Five – Freakin’ Stehekin

Book Six, Chapter Five – Freakin’ Stehekin

Short post, more words than pics this time. There's really only so many pictures you can take in one day. But it's time for some contemplation and a

Sep 18, 2018 : Smokebeard
Book Six, Chapter Four – The Top of the Ninth

Book Six, Chapter Four – The Top of the Ninth

I've been trying to decide of there's an appropriate metaphor for hiking the PCT. Maybe a baseball game? Announcer Joe: A haggard-looking

Sep 17, 2018 : Smokebeard
Book Six, Chapter Three – A Place Called Snoqualmie

Book Six, Chapter Three – A Place Called Snoqualmie

Terse post, not much quality time, power and Wi-Fi at the same time. Aug. 28 - 9.6 Escaping White Pass was another tricky move. Food, showers,

Sep 2, 2018 : Smokebeard