Hi, my name is Sam “Golden Calves” McClintic, and I'm a 2023 AT Thru Hiker! After falling in love with the Adirondack Mountains of New York and becoming an ADK 46er, I decided to quit my job in biotech and take on an even bigger adventure: hiking the entire Appalachian Trail. When I'm not hiking, I also enjoy espresso, beer, sailing, and Volkswagens.
Posts
Reflecting on my AT Thru-Hike: Part 2
Hi everyone. After completing the Appalachian Trail on September 12th, 2023, I hadn’t written about it—or taken much time to reflect on the
Reflecting on My AT Thru Hike, Part I: Rutland, VT to Katahdin, ME
(Disclaimer: this post was written well after completing the AT) Hi everyone. I completed my hike of the Appalachian Trail on September 12th. It
Fun in the Mud and Rain: Delaware Water Gap to Rutland, VT
Things have been looking up since Pennsylvania. After a much-needed stay in NYC with old friends, I hit the trail with a more positive mindset and a
The Pennsylvania Blues: Harpers Ferry to Delaware Water Gap
Not Virginia Blues—Pennsylvania has been the hardest state for me so far.
How I’ve Changed After 1,000 Miles: Damascus, VA, to Harpers Ferry, WV
Well, I’ve hit a milestone that seemed nearly insurmountable when I was standing on Springer Mountain: 1,000 miles of hiking. It took a lot of effort
Adjusting to Life on Trail: The Smokies to Damascus, VA
It’s been just over a month of living on the trail, and it’s starting to feel like home. It’s hard to describe all of my experiences and emotions,
100 Miles, Trail Magic, Fires, & Bars (Not Bears): Neels Gap to Franklin, NC
My time on trail has been a blur. The first 30 miles of trail were eventful, but I didn’t know how much more exciting things were going to
The Trek Begins: Springer Mountain to Neels Gap
I'm Finally Starting! When I arrived in Georgia with my family, I felt awful. I was still getting over a recent bout with Covid, which didn't help
Prepping for a Thru-Hike: My Gear List, Shakedown Hikes, & Budgeting
When I started backpacking a few years ago, I was using hand-me-downs and budget gear from Amazon and REI. My longest trips were 3-4 nights, and I
Am I Crazy? Why I’m Hiking the Appalachian Trail
Roughly four months ago, I got the idea that I should spend 4-6 months in the woods hiking all 2,200 miles of the AT. When I told my parents, they weren't surprised, but still thought I may have a screw or two loose. I hope this intro will help them (and all of you readers!) understand why I'm hiking.