Kirby

I am a thirty-something musician, soldier, gender bender, backpacker, and avid hobbyist. I’m taking a two-year “mini-retirement” from my career as French horn player for the U.S. Army Bands to thru-hike. In 2023 I accomplished my lifelong dream of thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail, and in 2024 I plan to thru-hike the Pacific Crest Trail. You can read more of my adventures at www.mini-retirement.com

Posts

Is the PCT more expensive than the AT?

Is the PCT more expensive than the AT?

I thru-hiked the AT in 2023 and the PCT in 2024. While hiking I tracked all of my expenses on both trails. I had heard that the PCT was more

Nov 8, 2024 : Kirby
How much did it cost to hike the PCT?

How much did it cost to hike the PCT?

I tracked every dollar I spent on the Pacific Crest Trail.  I did this from a curiosity standpoint; I was interested to know what the

Oct 29, 2024 : Kirby
PCT by the Numbers

PCT by the Numbers

My PCT journey was so much more than the numbers, but as an analytical person, I like the numbers too. They are another lens I can use to process

Oct 20, 2024 : Kirby
Canada!

Canada!

We did it! On Monday morning my tramily and I arrived at the northern terminus of the PCT. It was a glorious moment, touching the Canadian border.

Sep 22, 2024 : Kirby
I Broke My Footpath

I Broke My Footpath

Day 130 Current Location Bend, OR Miles Hiked 2,001.9 Miles to Go 653.3 Percent of Trail

Aug 18, 2024 : Kirby
Fires Challenge my Purism

Fires Challenge my Purism

Day 120 Current Location Ashland, OR Miles Hiked 1,718.7 Miles to Go 936.5 Percent of Trail

Aug 7, 2024 : Kirby
Halfway

Halfway

Day 99 Current Location Chester, CA Miles Hiked 1,332.4 Miles to Go 1,322.8 Percent of Trail

Jul 17, 2024 : Kirby
Easing out of the Sierra

Easing out of the Sierra

Day 89 Current Location Truckee, CA Miles Hiked 1,154.5 Miles to Go 1,500.7 Percent of Trail

Jul 7, 2024 : Kirby
Entry into the Sierra

Entry into the Sierra

Day 78 Current Location Kennedy Meadows (North), CA Miles Hiked 1,018.1 Miles to Go 1,637.1 Percent of Trail

Jun 26, 2024 : Kirby
Quixotic

Quixotic

Day 43 Current Location Tehachapi, CA Miles Hiked 566.5 Miles to Go 2,088.7 Percent of Trail

May 22, 2024 : Kirby