Ann swears she had the tent under control. I was fetching the food bags and didn't see what actually happened. The post Wind – Days 21 thru 25 appeared first on The Trek ..read more

This expansive and beautiful section of the trail vexed me a bit. Perhaps it was returning to the Smokies to complete unfinished miles and the accompanying break in rhythm. What I do know is I did not replenish my calorie stores after the 30+ mile day, did not rest enough, and possibly failed to rehydrate enough. All these in combination caused an imbalance and that several symptoms of my PTS carpooled together to cause a minor breakdown. ... The post Days 68-73 on The Appalachian Trail–Shenandoah National Park appeared first on The Trek ..read more

Day 23: more rain and a red eft. Another day of early morning rain and a wet tent strike after putting on yesterday’s wet socks and shoes. The rain stopped towards the end of the morning but all the rain and snow melt has meant some extremely  muddy sections of trail. This calls for great concentration and looking down at your feet all day, so there is not much opportunity to appreciate your surroundings. I did slip and slide, ... The post Mud, mud, slip, slide, mud. appeared first on The Trek ..read more

I have spent a large part of my adult life making to-do lists and working towards the next big hurdle. I tuck childhood dreams back into my subconscious, focusing my energy on the urgent immediate need. This is not a bad thing. I have been blessed with success in my education and career, a supportive 40 year marriage, and 4 generous, smart adult children with families of their own. But what happens to these seemingly frivolous dreams? ... The post Dreams and Goals appeared first on The Trek ..read more

I have spent a large part of my adult life making to-do lists and working towards the next big hurdle. I tuck childhood dreams back into my subconscious, focusing my energy on the urgent immediate need. This is not a bad thing. I have been blessed with success in my education and career, a supportive 40 year marriage, and 4 generous, smart adult children with families of their own. But what happens to these seemingly frivolous dreams? ... The post Dreams and Goals appeared first on The Trek ..read more

There's always going to be another mountain. ? I'm always going to want to make it move. ? The post Please Explain Why I Still Know the Words to “The Climb” appeared first on The Trek ..read more

Over the past couple of weeks I’ve been regularly reminded that it’s spring time in the mountains. Spring is a time of change which seems like a fitting description for the weather, the forest, and myself. The weather has been all over the place. I’ve had snow (when hiking up Albert Mountain), cold rain (when hiking up Jacob’s ladder), and many beautiful hiking days while going through the Smokies. I’ve even had one day where I was hot enough to dunk my t-shirt in a stream to cool off. ... The post Season of Change: 81.2 – 241.8 appeared first on The Trek ..read more

Enter Doubt, Stage Left This post takes a markedly different tone from last week. Names have been changed.  The blue light of a sunrise behind the clouds showed the trail as a net of roots and rocks underfoot. 4 miles into the hike to Deep Gap and my knee was staging a mutiny. Too many days going too fast too early in the hike. Some say the trail brings the mind and body closer together. It forces you to listen to your hunger, ... The post Doubt and Other Pests in Week 2 on the Appalachian Trail appeared first on The Trek ..read more

Day 26:  AT Miles 18.8 — Flint Mountain to Bald Mountain Shelter The rumors were true. I opened my eyes and there was 2 inches of fresh snow. That would make today a very interesting hiking day as I wanted to get in close to 19 miles to set up getting into town Friday evening. I was not in much of a hurry to get going though and didn’t get moving until 9:15. This put me behind, ... The post Ice, Snow and Kenny Powers appeared first on The Trek ..read more

Eternal gratitude as we move up in latitude. The post Days 26-32: The Water Flows Through The Woods Like Fingers Slipping Between Each Other appeared first on The Trek ..read more