#thetrek
AT Mile 275: Great Smoky Mountain Adventures
After hiking through Great Smoky Mountains National Park, I finally understand why they call it Great. The Smokies are a force of nature. Fontana Dam to Newport Gap The past...
Ten Days from the Beginning
I've repacked my backpack somewhere close to 50 times by now. Changed gear and went on smaller hikes to test it out. I've spent hours pouring over logistics and putting...
Resupply Strategy on the Continental Divide Trail
Salt Lake City, Feb. 8, 2019: How do you get food over a distance of 3,000 miles? In this post I provide a brief summary of what you have to...
What Does It Take to Successfully Thru-Hike?
Salt Lake City, Jan. 21, 2019: What does it take to successfully thru-hike? From my perspective, there are three key factors that contribute to the completion of a thru-hike. The...
The Life-Changing Addiction of Thru-Hiking
Salt Lake City, Jan. 21, 2019: The countdown has started. At the end of April---roughly three months from now---I will get dropped off at the Mexican border. Again! The Thru-Hike...
Hard Climbs and a Weary Hiker
OK, so here's the deal. I've run smack into a wall, a gigantic Mount Washington-sized wall. In case you didn't know a wall that big hurts, like hurts ya deep...
Behind Trail Names: Average Joe or Super Hero?
I don't reckon I'll ever get comfortable hearing, "Oh, I heard about you" after introducing myself, but strangely enough switching out my very average given name, the name I've answered...
A Peaceful Katahdin Summit and 100-Mile Wilderness Walk
Yes, you read the title right. Weird descriptor of a Katahdin summit, I know. Usually folks are beaming with excitement over their completed trek or amped about what's to come...
Anxiety Ascent: Why I’m off the trail
I wake up in my room, surrounded by four walls and my black cat walking over my down comforter. The air conditioning is cool and my bed is soft. This...
Finding Connections with Others Along the Way
Pop your head into any shelter along the AT and I would wager the hiker chatter circles three topics: gear, weather and terrain, injury. News on the trail hops forward...