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
Weekly Trail Update Six: April 30 – May 6, 2018
Welcome back for another trail update! Day 36: Johns Spring Shelter to Troutville, VA - 18.2mi I finally had a night without rain and my tent
Weekly Trail Update Three: April 9 to April 15
Welcome back for another trail update. Day 15: Jerry Cabin Shelter to Bald Mountain Shelter - 25.6mi Last night was another subfreezing
Weekly Trail Update #2: April 2 – April 8, 2018
Welcome back for another trail update. Day eight: Cable Gap Shelter to Russell Field Shelter - 21.6 miles Today was one of my shortest days.
Weekly Trail Update #1: March 25 – April 1, 2018
Welcome to my first update from the trail! Here I'll give a day-by-day account of my hike and everything that goes along with it. Please excuse the
Lessons Learned From a Successful FKT Attempt
Recently, I completed an unsupported FKT attempt of the 255-kilometer Be?parmak Trail in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. My total time was
Energy Gels for Hiking: Yay or Nay?
Disclaimer: I am sponsored by Manuka Sport and I support and recommend their products in this post. As the worlds of ultralight backpacking and
My 2018 Appalachian Trail Thru-Hike Gear List
Below is the list of gear I am currently planning to take on my AT thru-hike beginning in March 2018. This is a living post and will be updated if I
The 2018 Appalachian Trail Thru-Hikers You Should be Following on Instagram
Each year, dozens of The Trek's beloved bloggers hit the Appalachian Trail and, in addition to their prolific prose, also capture their journeys via
FKTs Explained: Differentiating Between Supported, Self-Supported, and Unsupported Fastest Known Times
Fastest Known Time attempts (also known as FKTs) are, in the simplest terms, speed records for trails and established routes. Instead of a typical
Five Ultrarunning Skills I’ll Bring on the AT
I've hiked more miles in my life than I've run, but a couple of years ago I picked up ultrarunning and have been borderline obsessed since. For me,