JC Van Etten

Hi! My name is JC or trail name Catman-do. I live in sunny Florida, but my heart remains in the Catskills of New York, where I lived, worked and raised my family. I am an AT NOBO Thru hiker class of 2019. I am a nature lover and outdoor enthusiast and hope to share my adventure with those that aspire to live on the trail or for whatever the reason can’t but want too vicariously hike with me! I love nature, plants, pizza and summits - so there will be many pictures along the way! I love rescue dogs and appreciate our veterans and first responders, so I plan to help them along the way! You can also help by donating to Paws of War Florida! Helping both ends of the leash. https://pawsofwar.networkforgood.com/projects/51641-paws-of-war-florida-chapter Thank you, JC

Posts

Week 14 – New England Milestones Continue

Week 14 – New England Milestones Continue

Days 93-99 Day 93 we walked .04 mile into Lee proper to Joe’s Diner, where after a good breakfast we were offered a ride to the trailhead. Hiking

Jun 6, 2019 : JC Van Etten
Week 13 Trekking into New England!!

Week 13 Trekking into New England!!

Day 86-92 Day 86 was another 23.2 mile day. My wife’s cousin Madeline and her husband, Karl, meet us at the RPH Shelter with some awesome trail

May 29, 2019 : JC Van Etten
Trail Opinions and Projecting Your Personal Fears onto Others!

Trail Opinions and Projecting Your Personal Fears onto Others!

I was inspired by this article topic when for the third time that same morning a section hiker tried to dissuade us from our Lehigh Valley rock

May 23, 2019 : JC Van Etten
The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly! (Not in That Order)

The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly! (Not in That Order)

Week 12; trail days 79-85 Last y’all heard from me I was rocking the ugly rocks of Pennsylvania. I ended up about 15 miles shy of finishing this

May 19, 2019 : JC Van Etten
Hello Rocksylvania- you got our attention!!

Hello Rocksylvania- you got our attention!!

Day 72-78. week 11 Last time I checked in, my mouth was still numb from the ice cream challenge! My thoughts of late were obsessing on trail

May 10, 2019 : JC Van Etten
Take Me Home, Country Roads

Take Me Home, Country Roads

Days 65-71 We’ve been singing it since we hit the 18-mile southern border of West Virginia! We had time to perfect it through the Shenendoahs and

May 3, 2019 : JC Van Etten
Sorry Virginia, but I Hath no Blues!

Sorry Virginia, but I Hath no Blues!

Week nine, days 58-64 I last left y’all on a post-zero day with a plan or perhaps a crazy scheme following a crazy weather system. We named it a

Apr 23, 2019 : JC Van Etten
Oh Virginia, You Have Continued to Maze Me!

Oh Virginia, You Have Continued to Maze Me!

Week eight, day 50-57 Day 50 started with the promise of legendary comfort food at Homeplace. AYCE, a hiker acronym for all you can eat, helped

Apr 17, 2019 : JC Van Etten
My Tramily a Lifetime of Friendship!

My Tramily a Lifetime of Friendship!

Week seven concluded on a cool, windy, and rainy day skirting the southern portion of West Virginia. We traversed 18 miles to then re-enter Virginia

Apr 8, 2019 : JC Van Etten
Wild Ponies, Hiker Hunger, and the Beauty of Virginia

Wild Ponies, Hiker Hunger, and the Beauty of Virginia

My sixth week will provide a lifetime of memories for me. Many big firsts as I hit Virginia: Damascus, Grayson Highlands, wild ponies, unique

Mar 31, 2019 : JC Van Etten