FAQs

I recently made it to the 50 day mark,  1/3 mark, and McAfee Knob (where all are mandated to take the most classic AT photo from the cantilevered rock). I’m now approaching the friend gauntlet of the trail, where I’ll be seeing over 10 familiar faces in the coming weeks! It’ll be weird and lovely to see folks again. I’ve also completely overcome my fear of camping alone at in the woods, and have come to be quite fond of these evenings when they come up. 

For this issue, I shall be answering the questions I’ve been asked most frequently out here:

How’s it going?

Very well, I’m having the time of my life. I’ve never been so consistently happy. It still feels like a vacation that doesn’t end. 

But there surely must have been some bad moments?

Not really. There’s a lot of logistics/planning, and when I get sucked into too much of that, I’m less happy, I suppose. No weather, hard days, insects, bodily odors have ruined any days. 

What’s the hardest part?

Injury management, both mentally and physically. I’ve learned not to panic when something hurts, pause, research, and adjust. I’ve had probably 15 things that I thought could have been the end of the hike come and go. 

Will you finish? If so, when?

I fully intend to! Hard to say exactly, but near the end of July is my best guess. 

How many miles do you hike each day?

Stay tuned for my “statistics of the thru-hike” for a deep dive, but I started around 14 miles a day, and am up to about 23 miles a day now (not counting the recovery days, which occur about once a week). The terrain has gotten a bit easier, so that’s less of a progression than it sounds like.

Are you going to go back to your job after?

My intention is to return. I anticipate it to be very difficult. To ease the burden, I’ll be allowing myself to embrace an activity I formally thought of as too self-indulgent and time consuming to be a part of a balanced life; train for an ironman. 

Do you have crazy hair now?

No beard. I tried, I hated it, and I will not try again. I haven’t gotten a haircut, but I will next chance I get. Maybe I’ll get a crazy haircut, if one exists (lmk if you have any ideas).

Have you lost weight?

No. Well maybe a little. I don’t know exactly. A lot of folks mention loosing 10 pounds by now. Some people have lost a ton, but that’s because they are idiots (I mean this) as they continue to live in the breakfast, lunch, dinner routine despite the 8 hours of hiking each day.

How’s the gear doing?

I’d say I’m happy with 95% of my choices. I’ve learned a few things, notably, any t-shirt that’s not a sun hoodie (thin long sleeve t-shirt with a hood) is useless. Some gear failures and replacements have been made, including the recently casualty, my backpack (they are mailing a free replacement). I didn’t get anything very wrong. 

What do the prediction markets have on your PCT thru hike?

99% will attempt PCT in my life, 25% in 2026, 50% by 2027.

Hiking or biking?

Yes

Who will win the 2026 NBA finals? (Fine, I have never been asked this, but I would like to opine here)

The Cavs. #letemknow