SOBO

Sadness smells like waffles – Crazy Cook is serving

Sadness smells like waffles – Crazy Cook is serving

"Great for tea", I murmur as I pour warm water from the jerry can into my dented bottles. But I am too thirsty to care. My last full day of...

Jan 21, 2025 : Speedy Pinecone
How to time travel and a hidden brewery on the CDT

How to time travel and a hidden brewery on the CDT

I smile, thinking about the first few weeks in Montana. All the forbidden foods that feel justified on a thru hike: cookies and gummy bears, ice cream, peanut butter cups,...

Jan 17, 2025 : Speedy Pinecone
CDT: San Juans, the best is yet to be hiked

CDT: San Juans, the best is yet to be hiked

Magic, the San Juans are pure magic. Within minutes, the storm unleashed itself. Hail began to fall, bouncing and skittering across the rocks like mischievous spirits. The wind picked up, sharp...

Dec 16, 2024 : Speedy Pinecone
Southbound on the Appalachian Trail – All’s Well That Ends Well

Southbound on the Appalachian Trail – All’s Well That Ends Well

Somewhere back in New York I made the decision I would be going home early. The impact from Hurricane Helene called for stressful social interactions, and both my time and...

Nov 25, 2024 : Bones
Halfway Home

Halfway Home

I recently reached the halfway point of the Appalachian Trail just south of Pine Grove Furnace State Park in Pennsylvania. This felt like such an enormous milestone and accomplishment, knowing...

Nov 19, 2024 : Matthew King
Southbound on the Appalachian Trail – No One Said it Would be Easy.

Southbound on the Appalachian Trail – No One Said it Would be Easy.

The original joy I had over the years while daydreaming about this trip has been rekindled. It came to me after a series of tough days where I was emotionally...

Sep 26, 2024 : Bones
John Muir Trail Day 21 – Being A/part (mile 148.5/211)

John Muir Trail Day 21 – Being A/part (mile 148.5/211)

Because I hadn't tackled Golden Staircase the previous night, this two-mile stepped ascent out of the valley awaited me in the morning. I'm always moving forwards, but whether or not...

Sep 20, 2024 : Jane Boxall
Night 18: Cold As Ice/Unwilling to Sacrifice

Night 18: Cold As Ice/Unwilling to Sacrifice

It's likely the altitude, but my little Esbit solid-fuel stove has not been enthusiastic about bringing water to a boil. Two of the fuel tabs make a pot of water......

Sep 20, 2024 : Jane Boxall
Day 4: Heavy Meadows (mile 27.5/211)

Day 4: Heavy Meadows (mile 27.5/211)

Hardest day yet, and a bit grindy. It was hot hot proper hot. I decided to wait til I got to the tuolumne meadows visitors center to use a real...

Aug 24, 2024 : Jane Boxall
The big burndown (mile 11/211)

The big burndown (mile 11/211)

I maintained my pattern of walking from shade patch to shade patch, but through the big burndown there was hardly any shade, no foliage to interrupt the aggressive sun. If...

Aug 20, 2024 : Jane Boxall