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Jeff

Greetings, my name is Jeff (he/him/his). I am a retired educator and wannabe member of the Hiker Trash Community. As a father of four adult children, and the husband to a spouse who is not yet ready to retire, now is the time for me to make good on a promise I made to myself almost fifty years ago--to thru hike the Appalachian Trail. So why would you want to read my blog? Think of my trek as a stock-car race, and you are there to see the crashes.

Posts

Bama to Baxter, Week #6:  Making Slow Progress on the AT in North Carolina

Bama to Baxter, Week #6: Making Slow Progress on the AT in North Carolina

Day 36:  A Nero into Franklin, NC      I am fairly certain that it rained all of last night, but I was able to sleep through

May 4, 2026 : Jeff
Bama to Baxter, Days 31-35:  Questioning My Reasons for Being on Trail

Bama to Baxter, Days 31-35: Questioning My Reasons for Being on Trail

Day 31:  Gooch Mountain Shelter to Neel Gap (Mountain Crossings) The most memorable aspect of today’s hike was the climb and descent of Blood

Apr 13, 2026 : Jeff
Bama to Baxter, Day 30:  Officially on the Appalachian Trail

Bama to Baxter, Day 30: Officially on the Appalachian Trail

Amicalola Lodge to Gooch Gap Shelter      Sleeping in a comfortable bed for two nights is a pleasure and a curse.  I love the

Apr 12, 2026 : Jeff
Bama to Baxter, Day 29:  Getting Set for the AT

Bama to Baxter, Day 29: Getting Set for the AT

My Apologies.   I have been trying to stay current with my posts, but the transition to the Appalachian Trail (AT) has fried me.  I am

Apr 7, 2026 : Jeff
Bama to Baxter, Day 28:   Finishing at the Beginning

Bama to Baxter, Day 28: Finishing at the Beginning

    Does anyone ever remember the day before their birthday or even better the day before Christmas Eve?   That’s how I felt for most

Apr 7, 2026 : Jeff
Bama to Baxter, Day 27:   Almost to Amicalola Falls State Park

Bama to Baxter, Day 27: Almost to Amicalola Falls State Park

      Last night was probably my best nights of sleep on trail for the whole month. I don’t know why, but I slept through the whole

Apr 3, 2026 : Jeff
Bama to Baxter, Day 26:  Finally Starting to See Hikers on Trail

Bama to Baxter, Day 26: Finally Starting to See Hikers on Trail

     I got a good night sleep last night. I fell asleep with no effort, and I believe I slept through the night. The morning was a bit

Apr 2, 2026 : Jeff
Bama to Baxter, Day 25:  A Nice Day of Hiking on the BMT

Bama to Baxter, Day 25: A Nice Day of Hiking on the BMT

     Because I could not fall asleep last night, I did not go lights out until almost midnight, which meant I didn’t get enough sleep

Apr 1, 2026 : Jeff
Bama to Baxter, Day 24:   Good Intel on Trail

Bama to Baxter, Day 24: Good Intel on Trail

     I slept well last night.  The campground was quiet, and I woke up, no problem, when my alarm went off. I was packed up and

Mar 31, 2026 : Jeff
Bama to Baxter, Day 23:   Today I Became a Through Hiker

Bama to Baxter, Day 23: Today I Became a Through Hiker

     I could have climbed Mount Everest today and enjoyed it because I knew all day that I would be finishing the Pinhoti Trail this

Mar 30, 2026 : Jeff