Russell Scarborough

Howdy, I'm Russell Scarborough! I grew up just a short drive away from the southern terminus of The Appalachian Trail in Georgia, and I'm now finally tackling the challenge of thru-hiking the whole thing with my girlfriend, Jessie. I'm mostly blogging on The Trek to keep family and friends updated on our progress, but I'm excited to share the journey with the rest of the internet as well! Me and Jessie met in Colorado while working for the National Park Service at Colorado National Monument. With Jessie being from New Hampshire and Me from Georgia, The Appalachian Mountains gave both of us a deep respect and love for the outdoors, and we thought it'd be one heck of an adventure to do the trail together!

Posts

Mosquitoes Blot Out The Sky

Mosquitoes Blot Out The Sky

As Russell and Jessie make their way through New Jersey, a day of storms gives way to a mosquito swarm of biblical proportions. July 21st-22nd,

Aug 17, 2026 : Russell Scarborough
New Jersey Is Just Better

New Jersey Is Just Better

Russell and Jessie cross the Delaware River into New Jersey and find they’re having a much more enjoyable time on the trail there. July 19th-20th,

Aug 16, 2026 : Russell Scarborough
Pennsylvania’s Final F-You

Pennsylvania’s Final F-You

Russell hikes the final segment of Pennsylvania’s A.T. and meets up with Jessie in Delaware Water Gap only to run into another issue. July

Aug 15, 2026 : Russell Scarborough
Thanks For The Smoke, Canada

Thanks For The Smoke, Canada

Russell and Jessie are subjected to some of the worst air quality they have ever breathed from Canadian wildfires as they ascend the biggest climb in

Aug 13, 2026 : Russell Scarborough
Pennsylvania Somehow Gets Worse

Pennsylvania Somehow Gets Worse

Russell and Jessie frankly start to have a terrible time in Pennsylvania as the quality of trail degrades to a rocky hellscape. July 14th-15th,

Aug 12, 2026 : Russell Scarborough
A Reprieve in Port Clinton

A Reprieve in Port Clinton

Welcome To (Another) Town Post: Jessie walking through the trainyard into town. The descent into Port Clinton wasn’t all that it was made out to

Aug 10, 2026 : Russell Scarborough
Pennsylvania Starts Getting Mean

Pennsylvania Starts Getting Mean

Russell and Jessie start to feel the pain of PA as the rocks become more frequent and sharp along with some other agitating injuries. July

Aug 9, 2026 : Russell Scarborough
An Ugly Stretch of Trail Saved By Kindness

An Ugly Stretch of Trail Saved By Kindness

As Russell and Jessie pass through the less desirable parts of Pennsylvania, their spirits are kept afloat by trail magic alone. July 9th-10th,

Aug 8, 2026 : Russell Scarborough
Staying With a Trail Friend

Staying With a Trail Friend

Russell and Jessie move a little further into Pennsylvania and get picked up by their friend Dancer for some time off trail. July 7th-9th,

Aug 7, 2026 : Russell Scarborough
Some Terrible 4th of July Storms

Some Terrible 4th of July Storms

Russell and Jessie cross the Mason/ Dixon line and are met with some rather abysmal weather. July 4th-6th, 2026 Maryland Gives Us The Boot: A

Aug 6, 2026 : Russell Scarborough