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I have walked thru some amazing places on North America.
Totaling up to 17,000+ in the last 4 years.
Capturing the beauty 8 different months of the year on the Pacific Crest, Appalachian, and Continental Divide Trails.
In 2017, I was able to accomplish my main goal of breaking the self support speed record of the Appalachian Trail.
Set out on June 14th, 2018 to hike/paddle the 1,300 miles of the Alaska Trail, which starts off at Barter Island in the State’s far northeast corner. Crossed the Arctic Ocean to the mainland and crossed 60 miles of frozen tundra in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge before crossing the full length of the Brooks Range. Challenged with traversing a vast trail-less landscape, I followed rivers and valleys thru the bush and walked past several of the highest mountains in the Arctic Circle of North America. I crossed dozens of rivers on foot and even briefly got swept down a handful. The second half of the trip involved paddling down some of Alaska’s most legendary rivers. Opportunities to help Native Alaskans with some fishing and learned some of their way of life. Completed the Alaska Trail in Nome .
Most beloved place in the 48 states. Barely able to pinch it in before getting destroyed by snow and sleet up at 13,000 feet.
#1 goal of 2017 conquered. I pondered the idea in 2015 on my first thru-hike. I never even thought of it till Anish broke the record in 15′.
The hiking season is short and the weather can be extreme. In 2016, I completed the CDT and continued on the Great Divide Trail. It almost never happened, as I hadn’t planned much. Followed the rugged steep Canadian Rockies 745 miles. Going near Mount Assiniboine and continued thru Banff NP. Ressupplied on 2 days of Doritos out of a gas station. Continuing onto majestic mountains near Saskatchewan River Crossing. Hiking by Michelle Lakes and over Zinger Pass, I eventually made it into Jasper National Park. Stocked up on food to make the push to Mount Robson. Fording and getting swept down Moose Creek. Hiked 32 miles to ressuply for the grand finale. Attempted Jack Pine Pass high route and horrible shwacked it down to the river as conditions were dangers for solo hiking. Sure some night temps were getting into the teens. Climbed my last high route up over Wapiti Mountain view the beautiful Kakwa Lake 8 miles off in the distance. After you finish this trail, you have to hike 60 miles out to a hitchhikeable road. Such a different beautiful way to reflect the previous 6 months.
Love what you do
I completed my Triple crown in my second year of thru-hiking. I flew into Mesa, AZ and the adventure began before making it to Crazy Cook Monument (southern terminus). Hitch-hiking in Arizona and on the Continental Divide Trail is quite a bit different than the Appalachian and Pacific Crest. I completed the trail hiking 2,804.2 miles. I walked thru the states of New Mexico, Colorado, Wyoming, Idaho, and Montana.
Urge to keep hiking was strong. I didn’t commit to the Appalachian Trail, till I was halfway thru completing the Pacific Crest Trail in the same year. Knowing of the big year, I still kept time for the little things.
Pacific Crest Trail
Most memorable hike to date. The learning curve can be steep on your first trail. Being from the mid-west in 2015, it was pretty hard to get much information on lightweight gear. Went into the Sierras in late April and became the first group to make it thru that year. Couple people attempted to go thru a week before, but got turned around and called it a year. 2 young bucks Malkolm and Baldor walked into camp and pondered if I was “Knotts.” They said, ” We have been following you for 500 miles a day or 2 behind!!! ” The guys needed a days rest before going back into the mountains. I was eager to see the snow covered mountains, so I left the Kennedy Meadows. No GPS or topos, I figured I would post up on trail and wait till someone came along when things got tough. The trail disappeared under the snow near the base of Forester Pass. I knew I couldn’t go much farther by myself. Big Mile showed up on my lunch break. I hadn’t seen that cat for weeks. We had a tragic night setting up camp on the ridge of north side of Forester Pass. Big Mile got off trail at Kearsarge Pass and I never heard from him again. Luckily, I joined in with Malkolm and Baldor as they caught up from having a horrible night. Post holing knee to hip deep after 9-10 am, created for a beautiful exhausting survival experience.
Main reason of hiking the Wonderland Trail, was to see if I wanted to spend months the following year of thru-hiking the Pacific Crest Trail. I had hiked in Glacier NP a handful of years. But that was only 3-4 nights at a time. Ran into a guy in the backcountry that recently just finished hiking the PCT. Unbelievable stories, I was hooked. So this was my first big test.
“Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it”
Ferris Bueller
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