Why I’m Hiking The Long Trail

Hi I’m Mike, also known as Jukebox on trail. Let’s start there. 

How I got my Trail Name 

One night during my 2022 thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail I was listening to some music with my trail family at Uncle Johnny’s hostel in Erwin, TN. We were listening to music played through my phone speakers while using a cardboard box to amplify it. I was the DJ. My pal Jupiter noted that I still needed a trail name. I had played a number of blues songs, so he said he would name me Blue, except there was already another hiker in our group named Blue. We went to bed without solving the conundrum, but as I was lying in my sleeping bag I suddenly thought to myself “you know what a great name would be? Jukebox”. I kept that thought to myself, as it is hiker tradition to let others name you.

Hundreds of Miles Later…

I was still nameless by the time I reached New Jersey. I was with a new trail family, and now they were trying to think of a name for me. After some suggestions that I didn’t like too much, I told them I had one in mind, but I’d like for them to guess it, so I wouldn’t technically be naming myself. I told them it was music related.  Two days later, nobody had guessed, so I gave them a hint: “it’s a device that plays music”. “Jukebox!”, Hobbit said immediately. “That’s it”, I said. I went by it until the end of the trail. So yes, I named myself. There were many times when I played DJ for other hikers in town, and I felt it was fitting name. 

How I Found Out About Thru-Hiking

A friend I grew up with, Tracey, hiked the AT over a decade ago, and told me about her hike when she came back. I was astonished. Six months in the woods. 2200+ miles. My mind couldn’t grasp it. I had been on overnight backpacking trips, but never anything like that. Every time I went backpacking I would think of Tracey’s trip on the AT and wonder if I could ever do such a thing. Later, I got into watching AT thru-hikers on YouTube, and I followed a number of them for their entire journey. This made me think that I could possibly do this myself. I researched gear and stocked up. When I moved to East Tennessee, I was close enough to the southern terminus that I could start the trail and still have a bail out plan if it turned out I couldn’t do it. So I decided to try. Six months later, I summited Mt. Katahdin in Maine.

Life Between Trails

It’s been almost two years since I finished. When I came home, most of the friendships I made on trail ended, and rather abruptly to boot. I do follow several of them on instagram, and it’s nice to see what they’re up to, but it’s not the same as exploring the wilderness together. Life has been hard my hike ended, and while I have a place to live, it’s not my favorite place, and I haven’t landed a job that would kickstart a career either. I know I love thru-hiking, so I’ve made plans for another hike. In a few days I start a monthlong thru-hike of the Long Trail in Vermont. This will be my first thru-hike attempt since the Appalachian Trail in 2022. I’m a little nervous. But there are plenty of other long distance trails, so why the Long Trail?

Why I’m Hiking the Long Trail

  1. I miss New England
  2. To see peak fall colors
  3. To see if I can still thru-hike
  4. As part of a plan to get in shape
  5. It’s relatively short

Old Stomping Grounds

I loved New England when I hiked the AT. The woods were mossy and damp, with ferns and birch trees. The houses in towns were colonial style, a simple boxy shape that I like much better than today’s McMansions. At the top of Mt. Bromley there is a ski patrol hut that I slept in. I got to watch the sunset before turning in, and I’d love to stop there again. I hear there’s an observation tower there now. 

When you think leaf peeping, you probably think New England. I remember seeing sugaring tubing on sugar maples when I went through Vermont on my AT hike. Hopefully those trees will be ablaze with color when I pass them this time.

It’s been almost two years since I finished the AT, can I still do this? Believe it or not, there are some days when I have no idea how I managed to hike the AT. I suspect the answer is one day at a time (with some planning thrown in). I think I should be able to get back into the swing of things once I start hiking, but right now, I’m nervous. People have asked me if I am excited for this trip, and I am, but it’s tempered by nerves. 

Tip Top Shape

I lost 45 pounds hiking the AT. Since then I’ve gained it all back. A month ago I joined a gym to prepare for the LT. Three gyms visits a week, punctuated by short hikes on the other days, has been my routine. I think my legs are stronger now, but I haven’t lost much weight. I hope my legs can carry me semi-comfortably through this trail, and I plan to keep hitting the gym after I return. 

Lastly, the LT is short. I hear it’s hard, but it doesn’t last forever. Three to four weeks sounds like a nice way to get back to an activity I love without devoting half a year. I leave in a couple days, so check back soon. Happy trails.

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Comments 3

  • Will Ludwig : Sep 20th

    Good luck Juke Box. I’m sure you will do fine. I love the Long Trail. A friend of my father picked me up at LaGuardia and drove me up to Williamstown, Ma. in 1974. I was 14 and did the whole thing in 3 weeks. It was so much fun and inspired me to do the AT 6 years later.

    Reply
    • Mike Fox : Sep 20th

      3 weeks at 14 is impressive. Thanks for the words of encouragement and thanks for reading.

      Reply
  • Ben Jacobson : Sep 21st

    Good luck!
    I’m sure this will be great and just the thing to give you some more confidence to tackle the rest of life after a successful and gratifying hike.
    Keep us updated on your journey when you can!

    Reply

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