Category Archives: Hike

Miles from Denver: 19.3 Miles to Durango: 466.7 It’s been just over two years since I’ve walked with a pack on my back. A lot has changed in our world. A lot is still changing. Yet, the trail has been there and the trail will always be there. This time the “trail” becomes the ColoradoContinue reading “CT – Day 1, July 25th”

Today, I’m leaving on another long-distance thru-hike – this time it’s the Colorado Trail. A 486-mile southbound trek through the Rocky Mountains that starts just outside of Denver and ends in Durango, CO. It’s my first time back on trail since completing the Appalachian Trail at Mt. Katahdin in July of 2019. A lot hasContinue reading “Hiking the Colorado Trail!”

Miles from Springer Mountain: 2161.9 Miles to Mount Katahdin: 30.1 It’s been a whirlwind of emotion during my time in the Hundred Mile Wilderness. Every so often a southbounder will congratulate me on my accomplishment, the signs post fewer and fewer miles to Katahdin, I’m now on the second to last page of my guidebook,Continue reading “Day 133-135, July 13th-15th”

Miles from Springer Mountain: 2093.7 Miles to Mount Katahdin: 98.3 I’ve entered the Hundred Mile Wilderness and now officially have less than 100 miles left to hike on the Appalachian Trail! When I look at a map or a calendar, it is difficult to fathom the magnitude of what I’ve been working towards over theContinue reading “Day 130-132, July 10-12th”

Miles from Springer Mountain: 2049.0 Miles to Mount Katahdin: 143.0 I’m under 150 miles! The last 3 days have been a large transition period in the Maine section of my Appalachian Trail hike. ME is considered one of the toughest states on the AT- the elevation change can be drastic, towns can be few andContinue reading “Day 127-129, July 7th-9th”

Miles from Springer Mountain: 2005.6 Miles to Mount Katahdin: 186.4 Happy Birthday, America! My 4th of July was one for the books, a good ole trail tail, if you will. I spent the day at Rangeley, ME – a town directly between the equator and the north pole, and the Hiker Hut Hostel – aContinue reading “Day 124-126, July 4th-6th”

Miles from Springer Mountain: 1971.6 Miles to Mount Katahdin: 220.4 Thinking Maine would be easy can go in the books as one of my biggest underestimations on the Appalachian Trail. I’ve been completely getting my butt kicked over the last few days and my body has taken a beating. My knees constantly ache, my jointsContinue reading “Day 120-123, June 30-July 3rd”

Miles from Springer Mountain: 1905.5 Miles to Mount Katahdin: 286.5 I conquered the White Mountain National Forest, I’ve passed the 1900 mile mark, and I’ve got less than 300 miles to go! I’m not in Maine yet, but the weight of completing the Appalachian Trail is growing heavier on my shoulders every day. For soContinue reading “Day 117-119, June 27-29”

Miles from Springer Mountain: 1870 Miles to Mount Katahdin: 322 I’m in the heart of the White Mountain National Forest and I’m loving it! This section has by-far been my toughest, my legs have taken a complete beating, I’ve never been this sore in my life – not after my first half-marathon, not after anyContinue reading “Day 114-116, June 24-26”

Miles from Springer Mountain: 1827 Miles to Mount Katahdin: 365 Late on the 20th I was joined at the hostel by a few friends from home – Scott, Alex, and Merle, I’ve known all of them for years and they wanted to join me to hike a few miles of the AT. Scott has plentyContinue reading “Day 111-113, June 21-23”

Miles from Springer Mountain: 1793.3 Miles to Mount Katahdin: 398.7 Hello, New Hampshire! On the 18th I passed into NH after a long day of hiking, finally crossing the Connecticut River leaves me with only two states left to finish. After crossing the river I entered the town of Hanover where Dartmouth College is located,Continue reading “Day 108-110, June 18-20”

Miles from Springer Mountain: 1726.6 Miles to Mount Katahdin: 465.4 A nero, hostel bed, shower, and laundry have had a profound effect on my mileage this week! I think another way to put that is: being civilized is good. I kid (only to myself, if you’re reading this you already know what I’m saying), butContinue reading “Day 105-107, June 15-17”

Miles from Springer Mountain: 1652.9 Miles to Mount Katahdin: 539.1 The last two days have given rise to two questions: Where did the good weather go? and Who decided that Vermont should be the muddiest place on Earth? The amount of bugs and mud has been astounding, the rain falls hard but not as voraciouslyContinue reading “Day 102-104, June 12-14”

Miles from Springer Mountain: 1601.3 Miles to Mount Katahdin: 590.7 It’s been a “YUGE” three days! I’ve passed the 100 day mark, crossed into Vermont, surpassed 1600 miles, and have less than 600 miles left – lots of boxes being checked! These few minor accomplishments are big spirit boosters, especially in parts of the trailContinue reading “Day 99-101, June 9-11”

Miles from Springer Mountain: 1536.3 Miles to Mount Katahdin: 655.7 Finally I can say that I have mostly returned back to full form! I’m still eating gingerly, a little more sluggish in the evenings, and look quite a bit thinner, but I am keeping my food down, have plenty of energy during the day, andContinue reading “Day 96-98, June 6-8”

Miles from Springer Mountain: 1495.5 Miles to Mount Katahdin: 696.5 The last three days have been a trip! It started with leaving New York and entering Connecticut, getting violently sick all night of the fourth, and finally crossing the 700 miles left mark. Holy cow, it’s been an exhausting 72 hours and I’m glad I’mContinue reading “Day 93-95, June 3-5”

Miles from Springer Mountain: 1436.5 Miles to Mount Katahdin: 755.5 When the trail beats you down for three days, it lifts you up the three days after. If you read my previous post then you’d know my days were wet and miserable, thankfully I can tell you the last three have been (mostly) dry, fullContinue reading “Day 90-92, May 31 – June 2”

Breakfast: Oatmeal (various flavors) Breakfast Essentials (milk chocolate – high protein) Folgers Single Coffee packet Nutrigrain Protein Grain bars (various flavors) or Pop-tarts (various flavors) or Honey Bun I mix the first three together at night in my 16 oz. Nalgene bottle, fill it full of cold water, then let it cold soak overnight andContinue reading “Nutrition Part 2”

Miles from Springer Mountain: 1375.8 Miles to Mount Katahdin: 816.2 From a great weekend and my best day on trail to rain, rain, rain! Three straight days of downpour have left me waterlogged and slow. My morale isn’t decimated, just soggy. Tuesday, the 28th, was the wettest of the week. My feet were mostly sparedContinue reading “Day 87-89, May 28-30”

Miles from Springer Mountain: 1074.7 Miles to Mount Katahdin: 1117.3 My first full day back on trail was completely miserable. It rained and rained, the trails were more like walking canals, my feet were waterlogged, and nothing stayed dry. For being my day back, it felt like the trail itself was trying to kick meContinue reading “Day 72-73, May 13-14”

Miles from Springer Mountain: 1024.9 Miles to Mount Katahdin: 1167.1 I’ve reached the mental half-way of the trail, Harper’s Ferry, WV! It’s been over two months and I’ve finally made it here, the journey has been strenuous and exhausting, yet rewarding and exhilarating. To finally be halfway is an extreme sense of accomplishment and astonishment,Continue reading “Day 64-67, May 5-8”

Miles from Springer Mountain: 871.4 Miles to Mount Katahdin: 1320.6 On the 26th I had one goal in mind: get to Rockfish Gap. The rain wasn’t going to deter me nor my tired legs, I knew a wonderful weekend with Haley was awaiting me. Along the trail was a cemetery and an old homestead withContinue reading “Day 55-57, April 26-28”

Miles from Springer Mountain: 848.1 Miles to Mount Katahdin: 1343.9 As I have continued my push towards Waynesboro, the last four days have been filled with picturesque views and delightful weather. Only today has the rain started, although thankfully at the end when I am in the security of my tent. This rock above didn’tContinue reading “Day 51-54, April 22-25”

Miles from Springer Mountain: 761.7 Miles to Mount Katahdin: 1430.3 I hope everyone had a wonderful Easter! The only thing the Easter Bunny brought me was a much needed respite from the rain! On the 18th, I awoke at the haunted shelter without meeting any ghosts or having any nightmares, to my knowledge I didn’tContinue reading “Day 47-50, April 18-21”

Miles from Springer Mountain: 681.2 Miles to Mount Katahdin: 1510.8 On Monday, the 15th, I was excited and ready to move on from wonderful Pearisburg until I stepped outside. The wind was horrible, it drizzled rain, and the surrounding mountains were covered in clouds. After a bit of coercing from some trail friends I decidedContinue reading “Day 44-46, April 15-17”

Miles from Springer Mountain: 635.9 Miles to Mount Katahdin: 1556.1 Tonight I am resting my head at the Angel’s Rest Hikers Heaven, it has been a tough few days but I have earned my rest. The small, neat town of Pearisburg has been nice to me. I’ve been here before, a small weekend vacation lastContinue reading “Day 41-43, April 12-14”

Miles from Springer Mountain: 580.4 Miles to Mount Katahdin: 1611.6 On the 9th I completed my longest day on trail so far – 26.0 miles. The terrain and weather were perfect for a high mileage day so I gratefully took advantage! Only a day after hiking through a field of ponies, I passed through aContinue reading “Day 38-40, April 9-11”

Miles from Springer Mountain: 471 Miles to Mount Katahdin: 1721 After two long days I’ve finally entered Virginia and the first town, arguably the most famous trail-town, Damascus. It’s been a long, wet couple days, but they’ve been filled with beautiful views as I finally kiss Tennessee behind! On the 4th I completed my longestContinue reading “Day 33-34, April 4-5”

Miles from Springer Mountain: 428.5 Miles to Mount Katahdin: 1763.5 The last three days have been extremely noteworthy and momentous, days that keep me motivated to be on this beautiful trail. The minor accomplishments accelerate towards major as the bigger picture becomes more recognizable. On the 1st I finished my second state on the AT,Continue reading “Day 30-32, April 1-3”

Miles from Springer Mountain: 373.8 Miles to Mount Katahdin: 1818.2 Body weight: 189.6 After a month on trail I’ve already lost 20 pounds! If I shaved my beard off it might be a few more ounces, but that won’t happen anytime soon. After waking up freezing at the top of Bald Mountain I awoke earlyContinue reading “Days 25-28, March 27-30”

Trail culture is a myriad of different perspectives and actions culminating in a completely varied lifestyle for the trail inhabitants. One of those differences from realism is trail names. Besides section and day hikers it’s hard to find a hiker going by there given name. A trail name can be earned, given, decreed, or woefullyContinue reading “Trail Names”

Miles from Springer Mountain: 327.4 Miles to Mount Katahdin: 1864.6 After a great, restful night in Hot Springs, NC, we enjoyed one last home cooked meal at Elmers and I felt refreshed and ready to start… for about 20 minutes. After I said goodbye to Paul and Brenda, bought some extra food, and said hiContinue reading “Day 22-24, March 24-26”

Miles from Springer Mountain: 165.9 Miles to Mount Katahdin: 2026.1 The last three days have been hike changing for me. My aches and pains are starting to subside, my feet feel less like blistered clubs and my knees don’t sting with each downhill step. I’ve met some influential and inspiring people that changed my mindsetContinue reading “Day 11-13, March 13-15”

Miles from Springer Mountain: 120.4 Miles to Mount Katahdin: 2071.6 The last few days have been rough, but my spirits are high! I apologize for not posting more frequently, cell service has been spotty. On the 10th I stopped at Carter Gap Shelter – of the 10+ people there only two of us were underContinue reading “Day 8-10, March 10-12”

Body weight: 209 lbs Pack weight: 31.8 lbs I haven’t weighed this much in my life, almost 20 pounds since I left for Boot Camp! My pack weight was a little heavier than I anticipated because I threw in a little bit more food for safe measure. Total miles walked: 16.2 Miles from Springer Mountain:Continue reading “Day 1 – March 3rd”

The listing below is a simple, non-rigid hiking plan starting on March 3rd, constructed as a guideline to give myself an understanding of places I can meet people, how many days off I can take to reach my goal, and a baseline to plan for sleeping accommodations. This plan below hovers around the 20 milesContinue reading “Hiking Plan – Prior to Start”

Two and a half years after my first hike up Mcafee Knob I was ready to do it again, but this time I was much more prepared. Preparation was key to making my second adventure a much more thorough, enjoyable, and complete experience. My girlfriend, Haley, and I decided that we were going to hikeContinue reading “Mcafee Knob Part 2”

On the western side of Virginia not too far from Virginia Tech is a beautiful overlook named Mcafee Knob. It is a 1/2 open perch about 20 yards wide that showcases the beautiful hilly Virginia landscape. As you gaze into the miles of open sky the stone slabs hold you up 30 above the woodContinue reading “Mcafee Knob Part 1”

The first time I ever stepped foot onto the Appalachian Trail was in 2014. A friend and I decided spontaneously that we were going to hike at least some small part of it. Within about 3 days we met, decided where we were going, borrowed some gear from our youth pastor, and were driving 10Continue reading “My First Appalachian Trail Experience”