-
A Century of FKT
Squeezing In– A light rain began to fall as I poked my head in the shelter, surprised to find it empty. I faced a decision: stay put or try to outrun the incoming storm to reach the next shelter. A sudden cloudburst made the choice for me. I unpacked while rain drummed rhythmically on the…
-
Campfire Community
Curls of thin grey smoke twisted upward from the exuberant flames, carrying a hint of the fire’s warm glow as they spread out and dissipated into the darkness. When the wind shifted, the aroma of burning hardwood stirred primal memories of campfires past. For a moment, I wondered how far back in time those remembrances…
-
What Defines a Thru-hike?
March marks the beginning of the Appalachian Trail (AT) thru-hiking season, attracting many hikers aiming to complete the journey from Georgia to Maine. Despite challenges and potential breaks, such as family obligations or weather, the hiking community embraces diverse definitions of “thru-hiking,” emphasizing personal experiences over rigid guidelines.
-
Podcast Interview with Mighty Blue
One of the highlights of the 2025 Appalachian Long Distance Hikers Association (ALDHA) Gathering was witnessing an onstage recording of the Mighty Blue Podcast with Steve (Mighty Blue) Adams as the Keynote Speaker. He interviewed Mills Kelly, Vegas, Pinkie, and Dennis Newton. Later, I had a chance to chat with Steve and introduced myself as…
-
Sometimes You Eat the Bear!
Don’t Leave Valuables in Your Vehicle. In late summer 2024, I travelled to Roanoke for some consulting work and took a couple of extra days to hike the Virginia Triple Crown area again. It’s an incredible stretch of the AT, home to three iconic landmarks: Dragon’s Tooth, McAfee Knob, and Tinker Cliffs. It was Labor…
-
Trail Magic: The Homebrew Recipe
How many thru-hikers does it take to brew a batch of beer? Trail magic is broadly defined as any unexpected act of generosity, hospitality, or serendipitous good fortune that can lift the spirits of thru-hikers. It could be a ride, a water cache, and, quite often, food provided by “trail angels” who enjoy supporting hikers…
