Brandon Chase

My name is Brandon, and I'm from Maine. I currently live overseas where I represent the United States as a Foreign Service Officer (diplomat) at our embassies abroad. I thru-hiked the Appalachian Trail in 2018 as a way to escape the hamster wheel and spend some good quality time in the US of A after being away for several years. I've also had the privilege of summiting Mt. Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, hiking the West Highland Way in Scotland, and fast-packing in the Himalayas. When not planning a hike, I'm training for ultramarathons or traveling to new places. Follow my experiences here on TheTrek and on my personal blog, FitForMiles.com

Posts

Reaching the Roof of Africa: How to Hike Mount Kilimanjaro

Reaching the Roof of Africa: How to Hike Mount Kilimanjaro

Towering 19,341 feet above the Serengeti, Mount Kilimanjaro is the tallest free-standing mountain in the world and the highest peak in Africa. The

Oct 11, 2018 : Brandon Chase
Longer Hikes and Fewer Crowds: The Best of Acadia National Park

Longer Hikes and Fewer Crowds: The Best of Acadia National Park

Occupying approximately 47,000 acres across Mount Desert Island and the Schoodic Peninsula in Maine lies Acadia National Park. Although one of the

Sep 28, 2018 : Brandon Chase
How I Saved Over $2,000 On My Appalachian Trail Gear

How I Saved Over $2,000 On My Appalachian Trail Gear

When considering the total cost of a thru-hike, one must factor not only the amount spent while hiking but also the expenditure on gear beforehand.

Sep 7, 2018 : Brandon Chase
How to Hike the West Highland Way: 96 Miles Through the Scottish Highlands

How to Hike the West Highland Way: 96 Miles Through the Scottish Highlands

Completed in 1980, the West Highland Way is a 96-mile linear long-distance footpath in Scotland running from the town of Milngavie, just north of

Sep 5, 2018 : Brandon Chase
My Appalachian Trail Nutrition Plan

My Appalachian Trail Nutrition Plan

One of the common questions I receive about my 97-day AT thru-hike is, "What did you eat?". The short answer is: everything. The long answer is that

Aug 28, 2018 : Brandon Chase
Five Items I Returned after the AT

Five Items I Returned after the AT

The advice commonly given to prospective thru-hikers is that you must rigorously test your gear prior to an extended undertaking such as the

Aug 21, 2018 : Brandon Chase
Bunionettes: A Lesser-Known Chronic Injury

Bunionettes: A Lesser-Known Chronic Injury

Feet are the workhorses of any long-distance undertaking. They do the lion's share of the work and take the most damage of any body part. They get

Aug 14, 2018 : Brandon Chase
Breaking Down My $2,500 Thru-Hike Budget

Breaking Down My $2,500 Thru-Hike Budget

One of the major considerations when contemplating a thru-hike is, "Can I afford it?" Many hikers think they have arranged their finances properly,

Aug 7, 2018 : Brandon Chase
Post-Appalachian Trail Gear List Review

Post-Appalachian Trail Gear List Review

Before starting my thru-hike, I posted my Appalachian Trail gear list, which I had spent a long time dialing in and shaking down. Now that I've

Jul 31, 2018 : Brandon Chase
The Injury That Nearly Ended My Thru-Hike

The Injury That Nearly Ended My Thru-Hike

Everyone's worst nightmare when planning a thru-hike is an injury that will end their journey prematurely. This is not only because of all the time,

Jul 22, 2018 : Brandon Chase