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Sarahmarie Specht-Bird

Hi there! I'm Sarahmarie ("Passport"), and I'm an English teacher, a writer, a crocheter, a traveler, an AT thru-hiker in 2019, and a person who is very bad at concise intros. I grew up in Kentucky but I've also lived in Atlanta, Georgia and Flagstaff, Arizona, with assorted adventures traipsing abroad. I've hiked the Camino Francés, Camino del Norte, and Camino Primitivo in Spain, as well as the John Muir Trail in California. I've been working towards a thru-hike of the AT for many years, and I am so excited to be out here this year. I love a lot of things, including, but not limited to: languages, bagels and cream cheese, books, bookstores, stickers, dogs, and obsessively watching my favorite shows over and over. I am loving life out here on this glorious, sweaty trail and I look forward to learning more from my fellow hikers as I move north!

Posts

Into the North

Into the North

A quick update on Harpers Ferry, Maryland, and surviving Pennsylvania

Jul 21, 2019 : Sarahmarie Specht-Bird
I Walked 500 More

I Walked 500 More

Time is weird on the trail. Well, time is weird anyway. But when you measure your life in days and miles, time gets even stranger. Maybe one day this

Jun 25, 2019 : Sarahmarie Specht-Bird
Highlights from the First 500 Miles

Highlights from the First 500 Miles

Every 100 miles crossed on the Appalachian Trail is a cause for celebration. We take a photo, think of all the effort it took to reach that point,

May 25, 2019 : Sarahmarie Specht-Bird
Learning to Listen in the First 150 Miles

Learning to Listen in the First 150 Miles

Greetings from the AT! I can’t believe it’s already been three weeks out here. The earth is moving from gray winter to vibrant green spring. More

Apr 14, 2019 : Sarahmarie Specht-Bird
Aren’t You Scared? Questions About Trail Safety

Aren’t You Scared? Questions About Trail Safety

It's natural for loved ones to fear for hikers' safety on the AT. Here are a few ways I've answered their safety-related questions.

Mar 18, 2019 : Sarahmarie Specht-Bird
Fear and Stoke Haunt and Drive Me

Fear and Stoke Haunt and Drive Me

Lean into the stoke, folks. (Love, a worrier.)

Feb 21, 2019 : Sarahmarie Specht-Bird
Answering That Question: My Reasons for Hiking the AT

Answering That Question: My Reasons for Hiking the AT

True freedom is a straight line and a goal. Also, I promised the AT I'd be back. Read about a few of my many reasons for hiking the Appalachian Trail in 2019 here!

Feb 17, 2019 : Sarahmarie Specht-Bird