Posts
The Path of Most Resistance
Once upon a time, there was a social trail. It was "the most easily navigated route between an origin and destination", and it eventually achieved
A Case of Deja Vu
It's not a great idea to begin a long hike while recovering from an overuse injury. That's how I started the PCT in July '21, and it's how I started
Error 404 – Trail Not Found
If you've hiked any of the other National Scenic Trails, you may have certain expectations regarding trail quality. You should lower those
How Long Will A Sawyer Squeeze Last?
I started the CDT with a brand-new Sawyer Squeeze and 2L CNOC Vecto. I left my old, heavy, MSR Dromedary at home. Instead, for spare capacity, I
What Worked and What Didn’t – CDT Edition
Normally, I'd leave this post until last, but I think it might actually be more helpful than my usual ramblings. I'm also including a "Needs
So. Many. Alternates.
I'm thinking about hiking the CDT this year, and I'll probably be going SOBO. It all comes down to Colorado. The state's snowfall is currently about
Ignoring A Fire Closure Order
During my southbound hike of the PCT in 2021, I spoke to several NOBOs who'd hiked through the area that was still closed following the Lionshead
The Limits Of A CNOC Vecto And Sawyer Mini
My CNOC Vecto worked perfectly for almost two years and sprang a leak after about 150 days of backpacking. As shown in the picture above, the leak is
Gear Failures And Fixes
Some backpacking gear is consumable, and I expect it'll need to be replaced during a thru-hike. Other gear, I've always assumed to be durable enough
The Best-Laid Plans, Part Two
After a boring day's drive up the I-84, and a left turn just before Mount Hood, I arrived at the Frog Lake Trailhead early in the evening. My plan