Introduction and 2023 Plans

     

INTRO

Let’s start with the basics. My trail name is Hippie, and my pup is Haywood! We started long-distance hiking back in 2018 and have spent 6 to 8 months hiking on a long trail every year since. We thru hiked the Appalachian trail NOBO in ’18, ’19, ’20, and ’21. Thru-hiked the PCT in ’22. Accumulating over 10,000 miles in five years. Now we are going to be thru-hiking the CDT in 2023. Which will complete the Triple Crown. Also, Haywood and I will be biking across the country in ’23 promoting Leave No Trace!

       

           

LEAVE NO TRACE

The main goal this year is promoting LEAVE NO TRACE! With the recent increase of people hiking due to Covid, there is also an increased impact on the environment! Leave no trace is every one of our responsibility!  I plan to help educate hikers on the importance of Leave No Trace and how to lessen their impact on the forest we walk through! Without being a good trail ambassador, you’re just creating more problems. New hikers look to experienced hikers for guidance and advice. So let’s make sure we always lead them in a direction that is sustainable for the environment!!

             

TRAIL CLEAN UP

I will be walking 3,200 miles on the Continental Divide Trail and biking 3,000 miles from St. Augustine to San Diego, picking up any trash I find on trail and as much as I can on the bike tour. I will carry a trash bag the whole way. It’s my way of trying to give back to a trail and a community that has given me and taught me so much! While helping to take care of the Planet, which is in desperate need of us to pay attention to our impact on it. Lessening my impact and creating a smaller footprint have been the main focuses for how I live my life.

 

MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS

Is also an issue that hits home for me. The trail gave me the personal space for growth. The community gave me the positive environment to change some life patterns that I had always wanted to change. The trail allowed me to live a life that was based on simplicity. And through this simplicity, I was able to heal! I was able to find what truly mattered to me.

 

I definitely am not the same guy that started the trail. I love being able to share my experience and growth with other hikers. Helping them see that every valley has a mountain top!

 

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Comments 3

  • Tim : Jan 22nd

    I’ll be starting the cdt this year hope to see you on the trail

    Reply
  • Jonathan Carter : Jan 23rd

    I’m hiking the CDT NOBO the first week of May. I hope to cross paths. Also, thanks for what you’re doing. Mental health and LNT are great efforts.

    Reply
  • Gayle Simper : Apr 30th

    Is Haywood a service dog? It’s my understanding dogs aren’t allowed in a some areas of the PCT and AT. All the blogs I’ve read either people skip those areas or have their dog picked up until they get past it.

    Reply

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