Following our six day, 100 mile adventure along the West Highland Way, our group of eight stuck around after completing the trail for some non-hiking related activities. Having at least one “zero” day at the end of a trip is something I look forward to. Scotland has so much to offer, that it felt necessary … Read more
Our annual backpacking trip invitations are usually met with an average acceptance rate. After asking a full-time working adult if they want to spend their limited vacation time walking in the pouring rain, a very reasonable response is some variation of that sounds fun, but I do not have the time. This is what I … Read more
Where: The Nakahechi Route of the Kumano Kodo, traversing the mountains of the Kii Peninsula of Japan When: 10/5/25 – 10/8/25 Distance: 40 miles (68km) Route: Caltopo (includes bus routes) Pre-Trip Information Overview Kumano is a sacred region in Japan that has drawn people for over 1000 years via pilgrimage across the Kii Peninsula. The … Read more
Trip Report Since I found myself unemployed a month before flying out west to attempt the PCT, I had some time on my hands for a backpacking trip. Unfortunately, Amy couldn’t swing it, as she was apparently the bread winner now and had to work for another two weeks. However, Tim and his dad Chris … Read more
Trip Report What: Rachel Carson Trail Challenge 2024 Where: Rachel Carson Trail between North Park and Harrison Hills Park When: 6/22/2024 Distance: 37.8 miles Conditions: high of 93, low of 75, partly cloudy Rachel Carson It would be remiss for me to not mention Rachel Carson, to whom this trail is dedicated. I did not … Read more
On January 27, 2024, I married the love of my life. The very next day, my wife and I packed up our car, drove from Pittsburgh to Baltimore, and caught a red eye flight to the northernmost capital in the world: Reykjavik, Iceland. Our honeymoon was a seven day excursion along the south coast and … Read more
Trip Report Our annual, week-long backpacking excursions continue! This time a record five people decided to waste their vacation days walking in a circle: myself, Amy, Tim, Dan, and Alex VR. For sake of clarity, I will henceforth be referring to myself as Alex 1, and Alex VR as Alex 2 (please note: I … Read more
Trip Report My brother Tyler is getting married in June and I wanted to plan a lowkey bachelor getaway for his upcoming wedding! Not much of a party though, it was originally supposed to be a weekend expedition to the Sierras. We did some research and managed to score a permit to hike the Rae … Read more
It’s hard to believe it has been nearly a year since we began hiking AT. Amy and I enjoyed a long winter season of relaxing and regaining all of the weight we previously lost, but felt it was time to plan our first hike since our descent of Katahdin. We missed everything about our life … Read more
My brother Tyler moved to Los Angeles in early 2021 with his girlfriend Olivia. Eager to catch up with them and explore the area, Amy and I had a flight booked a few months later. We planned to hang out around the city and tour some of the National Parks. Tyler had never backpacked but … Read more