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
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
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
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.
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
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
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
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
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,
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
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,