Appalachian Trail Update #15: Maine

When I walked away from Pinkham Notch, New Hampshire, on July 7th, 2017, I felt as if that was the hardest thing I had to do on my entire hike. I was tired, I had to leave all of my friends and a place I felt very comfortable and hike on alone into unfamiliar territory. […]

Appalachian Trail Update #8-14: The Rest of the Story (Mostly)

Update #8 – Pennsylvania Rocks! Rocksylvania they call it. “Where boots go to die,” they say. As I hiked north from Carlisle, PA, I wondered when it would start. For some reason, it seemed like no matter how far we got, the severe rocks never showed up, and people ominously warned us “oh, they’re coming.” […]

Appalachian Trail Update #16: Finished!

2017 Northbound Thru-Hike of the Appalachian Trail complete (as of July 27, 2017)! Updates #8-15: The Rest of The Story, and Reflections to come soon! Thanks for reading! Happy Trails!

Appalachian Trail Update #7: Appalachian Trail Pics (So Far)

Appalachian Trail Update #7: Appalachian Trail Pics (So Far) Written 6/7/2017 Each gallery is associated with the linked title above Appalachian Trail update #1: A Good Start Appalachian Trail update #2: The Injury Appalachian Trail update #3: The Recovery Appalachian Trail Update #4: How Crispy Got His Groove Back Appalachian Trail Update #5: Down In […]

Appalachian Trail Update #6: Now, The North

Appalachian Trail Update #6: Now, The North Written May 16, 2017 Upon arriving in Virginia in early April, I had hoped I would be greeted with open arms and given a warm welcome by the state I love so much. However, I was given the cold shoulder. In fact, freezing. I found myself climbing Whitetop […]

Appalachian Trail Update #5: Down In Ol’ Virginny

Appalachian Trail Update #5: Back In Ol’ Virginny Written 4/6/2015 As I crossed over the border from Tennessee into Virginia on April 5th, 2017, the words of “Rocking Chair” by The Band came into my head: “oh to be home again, down in ol’ Virginny.” Virginia is a place I was fortunate to call home […]

Appalachian Trail Update #4: How Crispy Got His Groove Back

Appalachian Trail Update #4: How Crispy Got His Groove Back Written 3/19/2016 Let’s say you spent the night packed in Double Spring Shelter in Great Smoky Mountains National Park in negative degree temperatures and awaken to a land of untrammeled snow with temperatures that show no sign of rising. What do you do? For some […]

Appalachian Trail update #3: The Recovery

Appalachian Trail update #3: The Recovery Written 3/12/2017 I have a saying: “If you’re smiling you’re crispy, if you’re frowning you’re soggy.” Well I’d been feeling pretty soggy since March 1st. Thankfully though, things are looking up! I don’t know what was more excruciating, walking 11.7 miles on a freshly torn quadricep or hiking a […]

Appalachian Trail update #2: The Injury

Appalachian Trail update #2 Written 3/2/2017 “Things have been going smoothly for me, and as long as I stay injury and illness free, I should continue to roll,” I wrote in my last blog post. “I learned a bit of restraint from my hernia a few years ago which was caused by trying to […]

Appalachian Trail update #1: A Good Start

Appalachian Trail update #1 Written 2/26/2017 I have officially made it through Georgia and into North Carolina. I am writing while sitting all alone at the summit of Standing Indian Mountain, the first 5,000 footer of my trip, taking in the sunset on a cold but clear night. I must say, I found the […]

Hiking Hokie

Hiking