13 October 2011

Check Out These New MST Directions!

The Friends of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail are updating the current route of the MST between Greensboro and Falls Lake Dam north of Raleigh. I've been part of a committee that has studied and developed this new route.

The route will constantly be in a state of flux as more sections of trail are completed in the Piedmont. To check on all updates of the MST click here.

The new route will incorporate sections of the Haw River Trail and trails in Eno River State Park that I used during my 2010 MST Thru-hike.

01 August 2011

MST Presentation @ REI Durham

I'll be giving a slideshow presentation at the REI store in Durham on Thursday August 11 at 7:00 pm. It's free to attend, so please sign up at this website: http://www.rei.com/event/27317/session/33474.
Thanks!

11 June 2011

Long Overdue Post-Trail Update

Since I finished the MST last November I've stayed pretty busy. I started working in December as a screen printer. Printing t-shirts was never a job I expected to have, but I've enjoyed the challenge of learning a new set of skills.

I've hiked quite a bit this spring. I hiked all the sections of the MST between Greensboro and Raleigh again. I was helping the Friends of the MST by gathering GPS tracks for the Eno River and Falls Lake Trail sections. I enjoyed getting out for several extended day hikes and an overnighter at Falls Lake.
I also am serving on a committee with the Friends to change the current road walk in the Piedmont to incorporate more footpaths.

I went to Trail Days in Damascus, VA in May and caught up with many of my fellow 2009 AT thru-hikers!

I hiked the Art Loeb Trail in Pisgah National Forest with my trail buddy, Sideshow, over Memorial Day weekend, and I realized I was not as in shape as I thought I was. The change in altitude from my home in the Piedmont was a shock to my lungs and legs.

I'm in the early stages of planning for a Pacific Crest Trail thru-hike from Mexico to Canada in 2012. Several of my trail friends from the AT are planning on the PCT next year as well! So I'm excited, but it's 10 1/2 months away.

There's lots to do this summer, and I plan to get out to the mountains as often as I can.