thru hiking the appalachian trail
Post Hike #2: How I Became The Incident
After more than 3,000 miles of backpacking on two continents, something trail-name-worthy finally happened to me, and I became “The Incident.”
Day 163: Summit Day
We got our best view of Katahdin from the Abol Bridge. The peak wore a lenticular cloud like a jaunty French beret, white but pulled down low over one side...
Day 161: The Best Night on the AT
When we arrived, Katahdin wore a bonnet of puffy clouds. But as we sat and stared, the cover thinned and disappeared as the temperature dropped. Gradually, the sun set behind...
Day 160: Another Day in Paradise
Instead, the trail led me beside still waters, winding along lakeshores rimmed with orange, yellow, red, and green trees, blanketed by slowly drifting mists, and beneath blue skies. The placid...
Day 159: Nearo in the Wilderness
Everyone is thinking about what comes next. Almost everyone is done with hiking and can’t wait to sleep in a real bed, eat better food, not have to walk everywhere,...
Day 157: The Last Mileage Milestone
I still can’t believe I’ve made it this far. Whatever else happens in the next 98.4 miles, I’m a 2,000 Miler, which is what the ATC traditionally called hikers who...
Day 156: Into the Wild
A few steps from the trailhead, a sign warned us that we were entering the 100 Mile Wilderness and that we should carry a minimum of 10 days supplies. I...
Day 155: Monson and The Duke of Hurl
We’d been debating how to hike the 100 Mile Wilderness for weeks.
Day 154: The Glade
I’ll remember this peaceful glade forever, just like my lunchtime view from the glacially sculpted bald overlooking pristine forests and lakes. I’ll forget the pain, the heat and cold, being...
Day 153: The Kennebec
Crossing Maine’s Kennebec River is one of those milestone moments on the AT, similar to climbing Georgia’s Blood Mountain, standing on Virginia’s McAfee Knob, or getting your picture taken at...