I resumed existence somewhere in the backwoods of Tennessee, summoned to feast with friends, new and old. The gathering was an annual tradition, though it was my first time attending. Hosted by Root 66, the same friend who once led me down a forgotten, snow-laden trail from a frozen mountain, where we stumbled into town […]
Red Rocks Magic
Got a little sidetracked after I got off trail… #ilovemushrooms
Frisco, Colorado
Never quit a long-distance hike on a bad day. That’s the rule. From Kenosha Pass to Highway 9 on the Colorado Trail was thirty-two miles, and though I’d only done a little over a hundred miles altogether, I knew I was done. The sickness that had slowed me down had finally passed, but it felt […]
Jefferson, Colorado
From sea level to the Mile High City, somewhere along the way I’d picked up a head cold. Unable to breathe through my nose, with lung capacity diminished and lacking the energy to hike under a relentless sun, I passed out at Waterton Canyon Trailhead. Dizzy and nauseous, I slept for hours before summoning the […]
Terminal C, Denver International Airport
I woke up in Terminal C of Denver International Airport, having slept on the floor, beneath unforgiving lights. Because people are afraid of each other, I spent another two days stealth camped outside of a UPS store. Waiting for things you aren’t supposed to bring on an airplane. Trekking poles, tent stakes, a pocket knife. […]
Thunder Island, Cascade Locks, Oregon
PCT Trail Days. This year it’s the end of the hike for a lot of people who had planned on pushing north to Canada. The fires in Washington have 60% of the trail shut down across the state. Most people are planning on coming back next year to hike Washington sobo back to Cascade Locks. […]
Beach Bum, Seaside, Oregon
At the last minute, I headed to the Oregon coast in an attempt to see the Perseid meteor shower. To lay on the beach and watch magic sparkle across the night sky. But as the sun dipped below the horizon, the clouds rolled in, covering the stars. I fell asleep to the soothing rhythm of […]
Stealth Camping Cascade Locks, Oregon
“Why something instead of nothing?” A hiker named Late Night asked, as we lounged on the sidewalk, in the shade, in front of the grocery store. He was drinking a six pack of beer, I was working on my second half gallon of milk. And because of that, I missed my bus to Portland, and […]
Timberline Lodge, Government Camp, Oregon
Hiking with no socks slowed me down, but only slightly. I was taking my time, laying around, trying to catch Scrub Jay’s in my hand that thought maybe I’d fallen asleep with snacks left out in the open. The trail was starting to get crowded. Northbounder’s mixing with southbounder’s. Nobo’s slowing down, trying to figure […]
Olallie Lake Resort, Mount Hood, Oregon
Having worn significant holes in every pair of socks, my feet had seen better days. I found snow fields lingering in the shadow of Mount Jefferson, and walked across them barefoot. It was perfect sledding snow. Solid underneath, soft and wet at the surface. I sat down and let gravity take its course. Sledding until […]