Jeff Santos

Jeff Santos, known on the trail as Speedy Gonzalez, is a Brazilian long-distance hiker, writer, and speaker who found in walking not just a challenge, but a philosophy of life. After starting his thru-hiking journey in his 40s, Jeff has already completed two of the three major long-distance trails in the United States: the Appalachian Trail (2017) and the Pacific Crest Trail (2019). This year, in 2025, he sets out to complete the Continental Divide Trail, aiming not only for the physical challenge but also for the symbolic completion of the Triple Crown of Hiking. Through every mile, Jeff reflects on solitude, transformation, and the radical act of moving forward—one step at a time.

Posts

Hike is jazz

Hike is jazz

I’m a planner. That’s what I do for a living. I plan events—big ones, for big companies. The kind of event where there’s no second chance. Once the

Jun 28, 2025 : Jeff Santos
Six Years Later, I’m Back on Trail — Will This Be My Triple Crown?

Six Years Later, I’m Back on Trail — Will This Be My Triple Crown?

Six years ago I did the PCT, my second thru-hike. This year I will attempt to complete my Triple Crown. I’m heading to do the Continental Divide Trail southbound.

Jun 20, 2025 : Jeff Santos
It’s Hard. It’s Complicated. I’m Doing It Again

It’s Hard. It’s Complicated. I’m Doing It Again

Hey everyone. It's been a long time since I published here. Almost two years already. The last time I wrote in this blog I was doing the Appalachian

Apr 27, 2019 : Jeff Santos
Goodbye Virginia. It was lovely.

Goodbye Virginia. It was lovely.

I have to say It again: Virginia is lovely. But not flat.

Jun 21, 2017 : Jeff Santos
Thirty Days. Ten Lessons.

Thirty Days. Ten Lessons.

Thirty days hiking the Appalachian Trail. Here are ten lessons that I've learned so far.

May 15, 2017 : Jeff Santos
Another day, another state

Another day, another state

Hello North Carolina! Home of one of my favourite bands of all time (that's Superchunk, of course).  One week hiking, 100-mile mark is behind me, so

Apr 22, 2017 : Jeff Santos
Five things that I’ve learned

Five things that I’ve learned

Five things that I've learned during my first five days hiking the Appalachian Trail

Apr 19, 2017 : Jeff Santos
My thru-hike almost ended before I started

My thru-hike almost ended before I started

"Next!" That was me. It was 4:30 in the morning and I was at the customs in the Miami International Airport. I was tired after 8 hours flying from

Apr 13, 2017 : Jeff Santos
The Appalachian Trail is harder to some people. This is why.

The Appalachian Trail is harder to some people. This is why.

The Appalachian Trail is more difficult to some people. Being a Brazilian, everything is harder, more expensive and complicated.

Apr 10, 2017 : Jeff Santos