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
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,
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,
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
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
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,
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
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
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,
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,
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









