trail magic
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...
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...
Hiking Amnesia: Impressions from a Mid-Trek Break
Thru-hiking is a lot like childbirth. The minute it’s over you forget the pain, you forget the misery of scaling mountains with a heavy pack strapped to your back. You...
Porcupines, Cookies, and Other Unexpected Adventures
I mentioned in my last post that on the Appalachian Trail nothing seems to go as planned. Every week is full of surprises -- some funny, some wonderful, and some...
No One Could Believe This Amazing Trail Magic
Fine Dining On the AT Mishap and Mother Goose order menu items at the Appalachian Pine Mixer while their server pours hot tea. No one would ever believe what happened...
Trail Update: Finding Towns Along the AT
I shuffle through the remains of my food bag where the instant mashed potatoes and ramen packets now float in tuna sauce and oatmeal flakes. My trash ziplock is now...
Just because you’ve left the trail doesn’t mean the trail has left you
It's the time of year when many of us past thru hikers are coming upon our "trail-aversary." Maybe it has already come and gone as mine has, maybe it's just...
The Barefoot Hiker Begins His AT Thru-Hike
Hi, folks. It's the Barefoot Hiker. I wanted to update folks on the craziness of this last week. I am finally on the trail. Getting Started On March...
A Trek With A Purpose: To Spread the Magic Beyond the AT
My first ever time receiving trail magic was also on my first failed shakedown hike. I got a late start on my first day, did not stop for water, hiked too...
The AT Experience
CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE FULL LENGTH DOCUMENTARY In 2014 I was working at a hospital in Key West Florida witnessing people dying on a regular basis. It made me...