Crowds, companions, and solitude

To me, long distance hiking is a solo endeavor, a chance to get in touch with myself, and enjoy the solitude and wonder of nature as an active spectator. There are many who enjoy travelling in a Trail Family; some hikers hike all day with others, while others (like me) tend to congregate around the…

Call me Smokebeard

(with apologies to Melville) I recently picked up Moby Dick again and was immediately struck by the opening lines. With some modifications, here they are: Call me Smokebeard. Some years ago—never mind how long precisely—having little or no money in my purse, and nothing particular to interest me in town, I thought I would hike about…

LT21 – Journey’s End – 273

If you want to skip to the end, I did hike the whole Long Trail. Day 18 – Corliss Camp – 233 Rain started 5 min after I left the trailhead and even said out loud, in spite of the grim and lowering clouds, “I’ve got a good feeling about today.” (Squint and you can…

LT17 – Johnson – 222

Sep 18 – Day 12 Into and out of Waitsfield, with a long stopover at Three Mountain Coffee. After dillydallying as long as i could, I started walking to theedge of town where the road made an obvious split north. Plus, I feel that hitching from th outskirts of town is less likely to draw…