Posts
Long Day to Long Key (ECT Day 3)
Oh my stars for the love of Lee Ann Womack! I was overambitious planning out my campsites for the Keys. I knew this ahead of time. Now, I'm paying for it!
Bike Paths to Big Pine Key (ECT Day 2)
I made sure to look over the edge down to the water on every bridge I crossed. The clear (most of the time) water and grasses (sedges?) and occasionally sea life (fish, starfish, an octopus, and a big ole ray of some kind) fascinated me.
Night “Hiking” in Key West (ECT Day 1)
Happy New Year! I kicked off 2025 by taking my first steps on the Eastern Continental Trail. After all the scheming and dreaming, it's happening!
The Stevie ECT Everglades Alternate
Rather than stay on the official ECT "red line," to the ECT Connector Trail section, I hope to jump in (maybe carefully step into) a kayak, cross Florida Bay, and embark on what's known as the Everglades 99-mile Wilderness Waterway. Think of this post as a teaser trailer for what's to come. I think telling the tale as it happens should be fun!
Getting Ready (Less Than 1 Week To Go): Physical and Mental Readiness
How much do you have to train for a thru-hike? A common phrase one hears is, "hike your own hike." Each person is going to be challenged in different ways and each person will go about their hike in the way they feel is right... With all the unexpected twists and turns ahead of me, there's no way to be fully prepared for every situation that's going to come my way. I'm thrilled to be setting out to experience it all though!
Getting Ready (Less Than 1 Week To Go): Gear and Logistics
It's not lost on me how much gear is needed to backpack and how fortunate I am to do something like this. On top of that, I've always had folks supporting me on these journeys. Everyone should have the opportunity to recreate in the outdoors, but unfortunately, acquiring and knowing how to use gear is a barrier for many. I wanted to start here. I think it's so important. It's a privilege to be getting this opportunity to connect with nature and the outdoors!
Why Am I Choosing to Hike 6,000 Miles?
This Trail is Absurdly Long... What brings someone to willingly set out to walk 6,000 miles? There's plenty of shorter trails out there, right? I'm sure some are quite pretty and scenic too. Plenty of trails would take less time, less money, and less effort to complete. So why the absurdity of walking day after day for 10-months? I don't feel I have a full grasp on my reasoning for taking on this trek and this scares me...
Introduction to the ECT
Introduction to the ECT - What's This All About? The ECT is a mega trail made up of several other trails. These "smaller" trails connect with one another to traverse all along the eastern part of North American. It's quite massive, totaling about 6,000 miles in length. The plan is to get to the southernmost point of the continental United States in Key West, Florida and start walking north. I already have a flight booked in early January to get me down to Florida. My goal will be to finish in one season and make it all the way up to Newfoundland where a bluff overlooks the Strait of Belle Isle. I expect it to be at least a 10-month journey if I'm able to pull it off...