Continental Divide Trail: A Thru-Hike | Average Hiker
2024 was a Wash Despite the setbacks of Lymes disease and a groin injury, 2024 was a year of resilience. I managed to spend four… Read More »Continental Divide Trail: A Thru-Hike | Average Hiker
Appalachian Trail Thru-hike Data – Fun Little Facts | Average Hiker
Below is some data and a few opinions from my 2023 Appalachian Trail Thru-hike. While most of the data was expected, a few numbers did… Read More »Appalachian Trail Thru-hike Data – Fun Little Facts | Average Hiker
Backcountry Foodie Review – Light Weight Nutrition | Average Hiker
I wrote a review on Backcountry Foodie two years ago and updated it a year later. I was going to update it again, but the… Read More »Backcountry Foodie Review – Light Weight Nutrition | Average Hiker
Appalachian Trail – Highlights in Southern Virginia | Average Hiker
Virginia is my favorite state on the Appalachian Trail. Often criticized as being a “long green tunnel,” many thru-hikers consider this longest state on the… Read More »Appalachian Trail – Highlights in Southern Virginia | Average Hiker
Katabatic Women’s Tin Cup Review – Exceptionally Warm! | Average Hiker
I purchased a Katabatic Women’s Tin Cup jacket for my 2023 Appalachian Trail Thru-hike and was impressed. The jacket was warm, durable, and lightweight. I… Read More »Katabatic Women’s Tin Cup Review – Exceptionally Warm! | Average Hiker
Thru-hiking Foot Care – The AT was Tough! | Average Hiker
This year (2023), I thru-hiked the Appalachian Trail, starting at the end of February and finishing at the beginning of September. As far as my… Read More »Thru-hiking Foot Care – The AT was Tough! | Average Hiker
Appalachian Trail Thru-hike – What I Learned | Average Hiker
Appalachian Trail Thru-hike and brevity are not usually in the same sentence. This list offers some brief insights from my 2023 AT thru-hike.
Appalachian Trail Gear Scores | Average Hiker
These are only my opinions. I would love to hear yours. There are longer gear reviews for some gear, and I’ll create more reviews as… Read More »Appalachian Trail Gear Scores | Average Hiker
Appalachian Trail – Highlights in Tennessee | Average Hiker
Tennessee is similar to North Carolina, and they share their borders. At times, I was unsure which state I was hiking through on any given… Read More »Appalachian Trail – Highlights in Tennessee | Average Hiker
Appalachian Trail – Highlights in North Carolina | Average Hiker
North Carolina is the state where I grew up backpacking, tromping through hardwood and pine forests as I learned to backpack and hike. It is… Read More »Appalachian Trail – Highlights in North Carolina | Average Hiker
Appalachian Trail – Highlights in Georgia | Average Hiker
I started the trail on Springer Mountain at the end of February, wanting to beat “the bubble” and hopefully get ahead of the heat and… Read More »Appalachian Trail – Highlights in Georgia | Average Hiker
Appalachian Trail Gear – There Were Changes | Average Hiker
My Appalachian Trail Gear changed due to my early start in February. Temperatures were colder than I expected and stayed colder longer than anticipated. Because… Read More »Appalachian Trail Gear – There Were Changes | Average Hiker
Superior Trail Day 10 – Seeing Mike | Average Hiker
October 6, 2023 I’m glad I moved my tent last night. Wind and rain raged along the Superior Trail last night as a front moved… Read More »Superior Trail Day 10 – Seeing Mike | Average Hiker
Superior Trail Day 9 – Starkly Beautiful! | Average Hiker
October 5, 2022 Today I was struck by the unique beauty and wildness of this trail. Nature has carved a landscape filled with the howls… Read More »Superior Trail Day 9 – Starkly Beautiful! | Average Hiker
Superior Trail Day 8 – A Long Day | Average Hiker
October 4, 2022 The terrain had gotten harder; I noted as I hiked away from West Poplar in the cold, dark morning. My goal for… Read More »Superior Trail Day 8 – A Long Day | Average Hiker
Superior Trail Day 7 – Back on Trail | Average Hiker
October 3, 2023 I came back inside from sleeping on the front porch before the morning sky began to lighten. My neighbors were early risers,… Read More »Superior Trail Day 7 – Back on Trail | Average Hiker
Superior Trail Day 6 – Cascade Lodge | Average Hiker
Casecade River view from crossing.
Superior Trail Day 5 – Thug Squirrels! | Average Hiker
October 1, 2023 I lazed around in my tent this morning at South Bally Creek Pond since I only had 7-8 miles to Trout Creek… Read More »Superior Trail Day 5 – Thug Squirrels! | Average Hiker
Superior Trail Day 4 – Sandhill Crane | Average Hiker
September 30, 2022 I didn’t rush out today since I only had 13-14 miles to the next campsite. Other than being woken up briefly by… Read More »Superior Trail Day 4 – Sandhill Crane | Average Hiker
Superior Trail Day 3 – Favorite Campsite | Average Hiker
September 29, 202213.6 Miles Last night, I learned the weather was volatile on this trail. My weather App. had indicated clear weather, so I was… Read More »Superior Trail Day 3 – Favorite Campsite | Average Hiker
Superior Trail Day 2 – Longer than Intended | Average Hiker
September 28, 2022Miles: 23.6 The morning was well below freezing as I poked my hand out from under my quilt to test just how far… Read More »Superior Trail Day 2 – Longer than Intended | Average Hiker
Sawyer Water Filter Review | Average Hiker
The Sawyer Water Filter Review describes a filter that get’s it right. This filter is great for light weight backpacking – light, durable and easy to use.
Superior Trail Day 1 – Chilly! | Average Hiker
September 27, 2022Miles: 9.6 Yesterday was spent prowling the town of Grand Marais, tying up a few last-minute items, and tasting all the delicacies the… Read More »Superior Trail Day 1 – Chilly! | Average Hiker
Superior Trail – Arrival | Average Hiker
September 25, 2022 The flight into Duluth from Michigan was quick, and when I stepped off the plane on a grey, windy day, the drop… Read More »Superior Trail – Arrival | Average Hiker
Foothills Trail Day 5 – Sassafrass | Average Hiker
September 14, 202316.4 Miles I was up early after one of the best nights’ sleep I’d had on the trail. The small dry campsite I… Read More »Foothills Trail Day 5 – Sassafrass | Average Hiker
Foothills Trail Day 4 – Sunrises | Average Hiker
September 13, 2022Miles – 15.6 The weather was cooler today, and I had robin egg skies! This was perfect weather for the more challenging hiking… Read More »Foothills Trail Day 4 – Sunrises | Average Hiker
FF Women’s EOS Jacket – Review | Average Hiker
I have used the Women’s Feathered Friends EOS for several years, most recently on the Arizona Trail and the Superior Trail. This winter, I purchased… Read More »FF Women’s EOS Jacket – Review | Average Hiker
Where Did I Hike and What’s Coming Up?! | Average Hiker
This past year (2022) was full of hiking and backpacking! I had three main thru-hikes that took me to different parts of the United States… Read More »Where Did I Hike and What’s Coming Up?! | Average Hiker
Foothills Trail Day 3 – Trail of Bridges | Average Hiker
9/12/2022Mile 44.2, 17.1 miles As I watched the sunrise from the Girl Scout Benches, the sky streaked with brightening layers of blue, gold, and orange… Read More »Foothills Trail Day 3 – Trail of Bridges | Average Hiker
Foothills Trail Day 2 – Chattooga Camp | Average Hiker
9/11/2022Mile 27.1 – 16.1 miles I jerked awake as something crashed through the bushes near my campsite in the dark! This was to be the… Read More »Foothills Trail Day 2 – Chattooga Camp | Average Hiker
Foothills Trail Day 1 – Oconee State Park | Average Hiker
The rain was coming down in sheets as we drove across the state of South Carolina, headed for Oconee State Park and the western terminus… Read More »Foothills Trail Day 1 – Oconee State Park | Average Hiker
Paugussett State Forest – Lillinonah Trail! | Average Hiker
The Lillinonah Trail is located in Paugussett State Forest near Newtown, CT. The trail has several access points or trailheads and is easy to access.… Read More »Paugussett State Forest – Lillinonah Trail! | Average Hiker
Big Agnes Tiger Wall UL1 Review | Average Hiker
I have used my Big Agnes Tiger Wall UL1 tent on 1,500 miles of backpacking, including my Appalachian Trail Thru-hike this year, so it is… Read More »Big Agnes Tiger Wall UL1 Review | Average Hiker
Arizona Trail – Getting Home | Average Hiker
Getting from the campground to Highway 89 would probably have been difficult, but the one thing I had going for me was Wirepass Trailhead, about… Read More »Arizona Trail – Getting Home | Average Hiker
Arizona Trail Day 57 – Final Day | Average Hiker
Coyote song woke me up at dawn. They were close, and based on their escalating yipping; they were hot on the heels of breakfast. I… Read More »Arizona Trail Day 57 – Final Day | Average Hiker
McLean Game Refuge – First Snow! | Average Hiker
The McLean Game Refuge near Granby, CT, is a preservation area I’ve wanted to visit for a while now. The refuge includes 4,415 acres of… Read More »McLean Game Refuge – First Snow! | Average Hiker
Arizona Trail Day 56 – Nearing the End | Average Hiker
May 6, 2022 I was hiking by about 6:15 AM and hobbled along for about 15 minutes until my feet were numb. Unfortunately, my trail… Read More »Arizona Trail Day 56 – Nearing the End | Average Hiker
Mattatuck State Forest – Hancock Brook Loop, CT, | Average Hiker
The Hancock Loop Trail lies near Waterbury, CT, primarily in the Mattatuck State Forest. I hiked a 3-mile loop, although the trailhead sign says 2.8.… Read More »Mattatuck State Forest – Hancock Brook Loop, CT, | Average Hiker
Arizona Trail Day 55 – More Cold | Average Hiker
Today’s weather forecast – is COLD, with an every layer type of morning and lots of wind to make the cold even more biting. Winter… Read More »Arizona Trail Day 55 – More Cold | Average Hiker
Sleeping Giant State Park, | Average Hiker
Sleeping Giant State Park is located near Hamden, CT, and is a popular park. You can expect crowds on the weekends, especially with the stone… Read More »Sleeping Giant State Park, | Average Hiker