During my flip-flop thru-hike in 2015, I published journals every hundred miles with pictures and video clips. If you want to read about the good, the bad, the beauty and the ugly of Clarity’s personal account, read on.
The good and the tough experiences work together to build strength, teach character, and provide clarity. The first hundred miles of part two has created a conflict inside of me…stronger is my desire for home, a feeling at war with my fierce resolve to see this journey all the way through. Knowing these disenchanting times … More 1,200 and 1,300 mile journal – Homeward Bound!
Ten states, 1,137 miles, three months and ten days. Where did they go? How are they suddenly a blur of the past? The myriad faces, extraordinary places, epic views, repetitive tasks, challenging steps of closing an unconquerable distance at a mere 2MPH pace, moments of feeling indescribably alive have, in hindsight, flown by faster than … More Halfway there!
Challenging myself in fresh and unique ways has always been what makes me thrive. To push myself to new levels and accomplish goals that at one point seemed impossible is intoxicating. The first half of this 100 miles made me question that whole philosophy, however. Riddled with days of physical, mental, emotional challenges, increasing in … More 1,000 mile journal – Maine Won’t Kill Me but Will Make Me Stronger
The trail of many forms took on a whole new life of its own with this hundred miles. The Appalachian River, the Appalachian Swamp, the Appalachian Boulder Field, the Appalachian Mudpit are just a few of the trail’s daily identities. New Hampshire, which the Appalachian Trail Conservancy rates an 8 in regards to difficulty level, … More 900 mile journal – Jungle Gym of Rocks and Roots
The 800th mile of this journey has brought with it many bruises, a heavier pack to carry full of cold weather gear and mountains more brutally grueling and more richly rewarding than any other on the Appalachian Trail! Gone are the twenty mile days of hiking solid speeds of three miles per hour. Miles in … More 800 mile journal – Vermont Bridge Jump? Yep, video below! Definitely recommend!
Welcome to the start of moose country in sunny, muddy Vermont, the state of mild temperatures, sweet raspberries, and steep mountains. The farther north my legs carry me on this journey, the more notable the changes around me. My ordinary greeting of “Hey y’all” isn’t as commonplace in this neck of the woods as it … More 700 mile journal – “Vermud”
This hundred miles greeted me immediately with a grand entrance into Massachusetts. Day one set a precedent that was, fortunately, continued throughout this hundred mile section. Upon saying farewell to Connecticut, there were miles of stream side mountain walks complete with inviting swimming holes, picturesque waterfalls that beckon hikers to pause their walks and enjoy … More 600 mile journal – I ❤ Massachusetts!
Five hundred miles have now been traveled on these feet of mine. They have suffered numerous stubbed toes on trail-covering tree roots resembling gnarled arthritic hands. Early blisters have evolved into protective callouses. Mosquitoes have apparently organized mass attacks on exhausted hikers, even biting through clothes! You hide out in your tent, kill the four … More 500 mile journal – Why Keep Going? Why Is It Worth It?
Eighty two miles of this hundred continued in the same manner as the last hundred ended…painfully. Tendinitis in both legs augmented the normal trail trials and tribulations. New Jersey gave way to New York which abruptly greets hikers with challenging hand over hand rock scrambles with appropriate names like The Ladder and The Lemon Squeezer, … More 400 mile journal – Trail Angels and Magic
Over three weeks have passed since I began my hike of the Appalachian Trail…300 miles and four states hiked with 30-40 pounds on my back. This hundred mile section brought constant undulations and widely varying terrain. Brutally enthralling with unrelenting miles of tens of thousands of unavoidable rocks, all pointed upwards, their sharp points like … More 300 mile journal – Pennsylvania, The Shoe Destroyer
AppalachianTrailClarity 