October 16, 2013 My feet traveled over the trail, but my mind did not register the steps. I had retreated inward, and my mind was… Read More »Final Day on the Appalachian Trail | Average Hiker

Appalachian Trail – October 15, 2013 I began tossing and turning before the sky had even begun to lighten up.  My hips were sore from… Read More »One of Everything….

Appalachian Trail – October 14, 2013 The air was still and damp on the Appalachian Trail in NY when I walked out of my room… Read More »Wawayanda & Rock Gyms

Getting to hang out with family and friends while hiking the Appalachian Trail is an event, and not missing The Walking Dead made it even better!

It was good to be home with family and friends, but the Appalachian Trail was calling me back. Winter was coming quickly, and I could feel the restlessness.

Appalachian Trail – October 11th, 2013 I spent time preparing for rain again last night, and not a single drop fell. Of course, I prefer… Read More »Water Sources and Bear Mountain | Average Hiker

Appalachian Trail – October 10, 2013 I expected rain last night, so I had found a great leafy spot on high ground to set up camp… Read More »Candy Man – New York State

Hiking with canned goods was some heavy hiking.

Appalachian Trail – October 8, 2013 I was up bright and early, ready to move, so I packed up quickly and headed down toward the… Read More »Hunting Season | Average Hiker

Appalachian Trail – October 6th, 2013 Today was a tough day, emotionally.  The dreary grey, rainy morning did not help to “lift moods” either as… Read More »Homesickness & Sleeping On a Hill

I rarely get up during the night, mostly because I have stiffened inside my sleeping bag, and the thought of first unbending, and then hobbling… Read More »Salisbury & Maria McCabe

Appalachian Trail – October 2, 2013 The call of a morning rooster echoed across the hills.  It was still dark – pitch, black dark.  I… Read More »Shay’s Rebellion & Fall Hiking

October 1, 2013 Today’s hiking was some of my favorite terrain.  I traveled through rolling forests and farming land, traveling along the edges of both… Read More »Southbound Misfits in New England | Average Hiker

Big breakfast and creepy trail.

Mt. Greylock and hiker towns.

Appalachian Trail, September 28, 2013 About an hour after falling asleep last night, the “Farside” cartoon showed up.   Deer repeatedly charged my tent, blowing… Read More »Black Weasels & Farside Cartoons

Meeting blog followers and climbing too late.

Fall colors and spindly legged goats

Sunrise and Manchester Center, VT

Appalachian Trail – September 23, 2013 I should probably use the trail name “Empathic.”  If you were to go through my social media publishing, you… Read More »Cold, Raw Day & The Cooper Potty

Appalachian Trail – September 22, 2017 It poured last night, but I was dry and snug in my cabin.  I slept lightly in the dark,… Read More »Road kill, Guinness Stew, & an Inn

Appalachian Trail – September 21, 2013 I looked down at Pomfret Road, where I had just been dropped off. I was breathing as hard, having climbed… Read More »Trails, Orange Soda & Empty Cabins

Appalachian Trail – September 5, 2013 O M G….how could something so small hurt so much! It was a minor abrasion but it felt like… Read More »Moose Mountain & Broken Feet | Average Hiker

Hiking in the lightning with hobbits.

Wayne from Maine was a pleasure to meet.

Cliff faces & failed wrist splint.

On the Appalachian Trail, the White Mountains were a highlight!

Hiking through the White’s with one useable hand was not really an option.

Flashes of crushed face bones flashed through my mind.

Appalachian Trail – August 20, 2013 Yesterday in Gorham, NH was a fairly uneventful day.  I rented a tiny car and spent the day running errands. … Read More »Broken Poles & Pop-tarts

A stinky, smelly bog….

Climbing down the Arm was tough!