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Zach Johnston

My name is Zach Johnston but on the trail I go by Pivot Fly. I am originally from Connecticut, but moved to Vermont in 2007. I attended Johnson State College, majoring in Outdoor Education and Political Sciences. I have always loved hiking, fishing, camping, etc. The Vermont Long Trail is my first thru hike adventure and I cannot wait to share it with you!

Posts

Pivot Fly’s Reflection of the Long Trail

Pivot Fly’s Reflection of the Long Trail

Thank You It's hard to believe how quickly my thru-hike of the Long Trail has come and gone. Thanks to everyone who followed my journey. I

Sep 13, 2026 : Zach Johnston
Day 19 – LT Completion,  The Pivot Fly Has Landed!

Day 19 – LT Completion, The Pivot Fly Has Landed!

One Last Shelter Wake Up I woke up from Long Trail for the last time. My pad totally deflated last night, but I couldn't care less. It's terminus

Sep 7, 2026 : Zach Johnston
Day 18 – Triple Eagle Scout Nesting and Jay Peak, The Last Big Mountain

Day 18 – Triple Eagle Scout Nesting and Jay Peak, The Last Big Mountain

Cold Oats and a Beautiful Sunrise I woke up from Tillerton Camp just before official sunrise. I'm about 22 miles from completion. I know I need to

Sep 6, 2026 : Zach Johnston
Day 17 – Devil’s Gulch and a Rainy Belvidere Mountain

Day 17 – Devil’s Gulch and a Rainy Belvidere Mountain

Camp Corliss Shelter and a Forshadowing Shower Camp Corliss was one of the busier shelters I have been to in many days, with 3 tents and 3 people in

Sep 5, 2026 : Zach Johnston
Day 16 -Shipping up to Johnson? A New Mindest and Finding the Right Kind of Nostalgia

Day 16 -Shipping up to Johnson? A New Mindest and Finding the Right Kind of Nostalgia

Summiting Whiteface/Sterling Mountain I wake up, eat the last two BoBo bars I have, and head into the last push of White Face/Sterling Mountain. Its

Sep 4, 2026 : Zach Johnston
Day 15 – Mt. Mansfield, Madonna Peak and Moxie

Day 15 – Mt. Mansfield, Madonna Peak and Moxie

Let's Get Ready to Scramble! I open my eyes in the Butler Lodge. No thru-hikers came last night, which was kind of surprising. I quickly decided

Sep 3, 2026 : Zach Johnston
Day 14 – Dehydration, Recovery and a Beutiful Night at Butler Lodge

Day 14 – Dehydration, Recovery and a Beutiful Night at Butler Lodge

Water Crisis Emerges I wake up and see I haven't lost the trail. I eat a BoBo bar and take a few drops of water from my Be-Free Filter, which is

Sep 3, 2026 : Zach Johnston
Day 13 – Camels Hump and Beyond – A Feeling of Home

Day 13 – Camels Hump and Beyond – A Feeling of Home

An Odd Place to Wake Up I wake up atop my picnic table bed beside the Montclair Shelter just before six A.M. I wake up before my wasp neighbors,

Sep 2, 2026 : Zach Johnston
Day 12 – An Unexpected Night Hike

Day 12 – An Unexpected Night Hike

I spend most of my morning blogging, restocking food, and adjusting equipment. I’ve made a couple of gear adjustments for this leg. Of my journey.

Aug 31, 2026 : Zach Johnston
Day 11 – A Humbling Day on the Trail

Day 11 – A Humbling Day on the Trail

An Amazing Day 11 Morning Turns Into a Dark Afternoon I slowly open my eyes from the Batell Shelter. Another heavy rainstorm came in the evening,

Aug 29, 2026 : Zach Johnston