thru-hiking
Back in the Saddle…or Not?
The verdict about my knees came in. The good news is that I don't have any stress fractures. The bad news is...I don't have any stress fractures. There aren't any...
The Gift of Two Black Eyes
Ask almost any former thru hiker what they didn't expect when they first started their hike and almost every one will say something like, "The trail restored my faith in...
Languishing in Hiker Limbo
For the past two weeks I’ve been languishing in hiker limbo, one part of me back on the Appalachian Trail, the other part here at home. It’s a disconcerting place...
Overjoyed
Day 42. Mile 1329. I've never been more smelly, dirty, hairy or sleepy. Dried blood streaks cover my legs, and my hair has begun dreading itself. Essentially, all I do...
How Thru-Hiking Ruined My Life
Earlier this month, after only four months of employment, I quit the first full-time job I've had since through-hiking the Appalachian Trail last year. I deliberately chose to derail my...
The Questions
Acronym Party Because there ain't no party like an acronym party, the PCT is chock full of them. Let's learn! The PCT is - yep, you guessed it - the...
Catch Ya Later, Sierras
Right before leaving the desert and entering the long-awaited Sierras, a trail angel named Coppertone told me, "don't be stupid, but don't be afraid to challenge yourself out there." This...
As The Thru-Hiker World Turns
Happy Summer Solstice and World Naked Hiking Day! Hope everyone is enjoying their days and not getting too sunburned if you're out there hiking in your birthday suit. It's been...
See Ya Never Again, Shenandoahs!
How do you know someone's a thru-hiker? The outfit usually gives it away! Shenandoahs, done! I covered 108 miles over 8 days, which is actually kind of slow considering the...
All in a Day’s Hike
Imagine that you've been hiking since dawn. It's now mid afternoon, and your feet hurt. Your clothes are dripping with sweat. Your legs, which you'd thought were strong, have felt as...