Wandering Into The Winds!

Making way out of the desert, change in landscape begins to quickly take shape. A change that presents itself through magnificent uplift. Predominately granite, this place once home to many miles of glaciers has shaped this valley nicely for being billions of years old. It’s truly such a spectacular place that nobody really knows about,

(the rangers try to keep it that way).

It was refreshing to be welcomed around copious amounts of water after being faced with such scarcity. It’s a shame early summer months is a recipe for mosquito hell here. Many points throughout this section I didn’t even bother to stop in fear of being swarmed and eaten alive. No amount of Natrapel could combat something like that. I spent some time alone on alternate routes that split off the CDT, some well worth the deveation. With blow downs that make up the first half of The Cirque, I wonder if I’ve made a judgment error and contemplate finding another way back to red line. As I break through the sudden halt in overgrowth, I’m greeted by these magnificent formations. Unlike Colorado, these mountains felt in a way much bigger and more vast. With my trash bag pants and my bug net synched, these quickly become the most essential items of that 100 mile stretch. Much of thru hiking is understanding the reality of not having luxury over entering these ranges during the most ideal of times. You’re at the mercy of short seasonal windows that make it possible to succeed in a long distance hike. I planned this section with intent on taking my time along with some on trail zeros but I simply couldn’t submit myself to such torture from the blood suckers. I feel as though in a way I misrepresent the weighted value of how this range truly felt. I was grateful to have captured something, notably this White Crowned Sparrow perched in curiosity, I dare no further in identifying, I just hope I got it’s good side. The Bridget-Teton National Forest quickly became my favorited section of trail, and for good reason. In the future I will come back with the ability to enhance my experience, spending as much time as I possibly can in a truly extraordinary section.

Hike the Pacific Crest Trail at Barrel Springs trailhead in the San Diego Backcountry mountains!  It’s a beautiful, sunny, Southern California day on the trail, so let’s explore this breathtakingly beautiful,  high altitude section of the pct.  Located just north of the 100 mile trail marker, Barrel Springs trailhead is located in Ranchita, next to the Borrego Montezuma highway that runs from the historic Warner Springs Ranch down to the low desert oasis village of Borrego Springs.  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WA_dXxhzAVc

The Time is NOW Exhale the past 🌬️ Don't think about the FUTURE. . . . #hike #hikersparadise #hikerlife #hikersofinstagram #hikemore #hiker #hikes #hikeyourownhike #hikers #hikeon #hikevibes #hikelife #hiketheworld #hike365 #hiked #hikeday #wandern #hiketime #thruhike #hikerslife #hiking #hikingadventures #hikingtrails #hikinglife #hikinglife #hikingculture #hiking #wandernmachtglücklich #trekking #hikemoreworryless (at Würzburg) https://www.instagram.com/p/CeK8c5LI4GO/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

FT Day 29

1/30/24

We woke up and started hiking out of the forest. Shortly in the to hike there was a bathroom, which we obviously took advantage of. We crossed a highway and Morpheus decided to take the road while I opted to stay on trail. A large part of the day would be a long roadwalk along that highway. I preferred to stay on the trail while I could, while Morpheus preferred the speed of the road and to just get used to it.

There wasn’t anything too special about the section of trail, but I enjoyed being away from the traffic. It rejoined the road just before a country store, where I rejoined Morpheus. He already had a breakfast sandwich and I went in and ordered a Reuben while we charged our phones. The sandwich was amazing with generous portions. I could barely finish it.

We started on the roadwalk. We met some horses and a donkey along the way. I hate road walks so that wasn’t an enjoyable 7 miles for me.

We turned off onto a dirt trail that crossed burn areas and many forest roads. We ended at a large cistern with a picnic table. It was a surprising amount of amenities for the middle of nowhere. We filtered water and ate dinner. I tried to watch all the stars come out but soon got too cold. I spent half the night trying to warm back up but eventually fell asleep.

Thru hiking hygiene

I talk about hiking and thru hiking a fair amount. I normally get the questions “do you go alone?” “aren’t you scared?” and “what do you do about bears???” These are relatively easy and comfortable questions to answer. But recently I was talking with someone who reads my blog, and they asked “what do you do about your period?” Now that is a good question. And not a comfortable one everyone asks.…

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Have you ever encountered THE CREEKFIELD WOMAN? Octoberpod wants to hear your story! Comment below or email your Creekfield stories to Octoberpod at Gmail dot com & we may feature it on an upcoming episode! . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . .. . . . .. . . . . . . . . .. . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . #damascusva #damascusvirginia #appalachiantrail #virginiacreeper #virginiacreepertrail #southwestvirginia #southwestvirginiaphotographer #taylorsvalley #thruhike #urbanlegends #trueghoststories #paranormal #paranormalactivity #localhaunts #hauntedappalachia #haunted #abingdon #abingdonva #abingdonvirginia (at The Damascus Brewery) https://www.instagram.com/p/CnSWUH2ucnP/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

I finished another thru hike! Vermont’s Long Trail is 272 miles long, and the first established long distance hiking trail in the US.

Even when people say something is difficult and shouldn’t be taken lightly, you never truly understand until you are in the middle of it. The first week was nothing but cold, wet, and pain. I got some reprieve from the rain for a few days and hiked in my camp shoes to let my scabbing blisters heal. This trail was like nothing I had encountered before. There were times when the trail required you to physically climb up boulders and ladders!

As difficult as the trail was, it was the best challenge I have ever tackled. I don’t think I’ve ever had that much fun tackling something so physically straining. The views weren’t terrible either. Hiking throughout the peak fall foliage was a gift. Watching the leaves change from green to yellow, red, orange, then eventually to brown and then falling off the trees leaving most of them barren as well as completely obscuring the trail created it’s own small challenge.

I met so many wonderful people on the trail that I know I would not have been able to finish if it wasn’t for their knowledge and insight. Lil’ Banjo reminded me of trail community and always willing to extend a helping hand when you see others suffering. Uncle Tom let me room with him in the first town, and regaled me with stories of all the hiking he did throughout his journey. The Crockets (Sweet Meat & Heavy Load) advised me to hike in crocs to release tension on my feet while they heal. Em & Bean reminded me to enjoy the challenge, live in the moment, enjoy the small things, and to take your time. Most importantly, Mouse showed me how quick friendships blossom and how deep those connections become in such a short amount of time when all distractions of the outside world are removed, as well as how you can lose track of time when you’re in the presence of someone you love being around.

Well, that’s it for this post. I might publish the journal I kept while I hiked the Long Trail, I haven’t decided yet. I’m ready for my next adventure. The motivation I’ve gained from this thru hike is something I am going to hold onto for dear life. I don’t want a repeat of slipping into a stupor after my last hike. And it’s true what everyone says, you’ll never forget your first thru hike, and you will be chasing that high for the rest of your life.

One Year Later…

A year ago today we hiked in to Abol Bridge Campground. Two days later we would summit Mount Katahdin, the highest mountain in the state of Maine at 5,269 feet. This would mark the finish line of our Eastern Continental Trail, a hike that began in Key West, Florida and comprising more than 3700 miles. Along the way we battled stifling heat, cold and ice, stressful road walks, and attack dogs.…

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hanging out with local homeless guys remains my favorite town activity

broken in three places. surgery. screws and plates in my ankle. 3-6 month recovery. and I'll never really be able to do what i used to be able to. what i was able to do roughly 5 hours ago. not even allowed to move besides going to the bathroom until the surgery.

Welcome to Wyoming!

AKA, the cowboy country. I could harp on forever about Colorado but I think it’s time we move on. As I approach yet another state, I’m filled with admiration and pride. Another down and quite frankly some of the hardest hiking I’ve ever done. In my mind, if I could endure the variable conditions I was subjected to in the last, who’s to say I can’t finish this thing out strong. With that notion I’m reminded of the thousands of miles that lay in front of me. Unlike the Pacific Crest trail, you’re dealt the certainty of two separate biomes both in the form of desert plain. The Great Basin much more flat, water much more scarce. The blistering sun radiates with harsh reminder, this time, there’s no where to hide. Paved road walks with no shade and the constant depletion of water in my body weighs on me constantly. To really bring it all together, I’m left rationing a small tube of sunscreen I’ve neglected to refill towns ago. My shoes blow out just in time to take on this stretch, leaving me improvising with Walmart shoes I will make do for 100+ miles. With these arduous moments I come to terms with the unfortunate reality and push forward with optimism. Through my flare ups with plantar fasciitis and cracked lips I embrace this brutality as I’ve come to know many times before. A painful dance that can either break me or shape me, sometimes those options feel more like a coin flip than a swift decision. I didn’t capture many photos throughout this section, most days were fueled with putting one foot in front of the other and that was good enough for me.

There aren't many problems, which you can't walk away☺️ . . . #hike #hikersparadise #hikerlife #hikersofinstagram #hikemore #hiker #hikes #hikeyourownhike #hikers #hikeon #hikevibes #hikelife #hiketheworld #hike365 #hiked #hikeday #wandern #hiketime #thruhike #hikerslife #hiking #hikingadventures #hikingtrails #hikinglife #hikinglife #hikingculture #hiking #wandernmachtglücklich #trekking #hikemoreworryless (at Hessen, Germany) https://www.instagram.com/p/CdQOh7DoNQM/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

FT Day 28

1/29/24

Not every day hiking can be exciting, and this was one where we pretty much just hiked.

Uncle Bo dropped us back at the Circle K. We got some food. I enjoyed the hash browns and Italian sausage so much I went back for round 2. We started off with a road walk.

Then we turned down a dirt road and surprisingly we started to see some very small hills. We went along a river and then a paved bike path.

Back on the trail we got some rolling hills! It felt like real hiking!

We set up camp and I horrendously burned my Mac n cheese. I dreamed of being able to cook better.

PCT SOBO 2023 Entry 10: My song is sung

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