As I sit at the Greyhound Station in Tucson waiting for the bus to Lordsburg, it seems now is a good time to figure out how to blog on the 5+ oz of smartphone I'll be carrying along on this hike. As much as I prefer an analog life on the trail, I accept that … Continue reading Same Marmot, new tricks
Author: Marmot
My friends call me Marmot. It's fitting. I aspire to be a marmot when I grow up. Like my fellow squirrels, Marmota caligata, I love alpine meadows, lush greens, and lounging on rocks with spectacular views. In general, I love squirrels, both the arboreal and ground inclined.
Operation deliver resupply boxes a success
This evening Mukmuk and I left Seattle around 8 pm heading south on I-5. Sometimes a northward journey requires one to travel south for a ways. I admired the sunset over the Olympics in fleeting glances as we merged over to the slow lane. Grateful to have a view. The right lane is a good … Continue reading Operation deliver resupply boxes a success
So why the CDT?
Somewhere in the first 500 miles of hiking the PCT, Gabriel and I knew that we loved long distance hiking and that another trail was in our future. The only question was when could we get out again? Our answer to ourselves: As soon as responsibly possible. So we’ve taken two and half years off between long hikes. Enough … Continue reading So why the CDT?
A spring ski day
When Don wrote to me and said his plans had changed, he'd be skiing Mt. St. Helens with his buddies on Sunday, instead of Saturday. My heart skipped a beat... with excitement. Task lists checked. I could join them! This was just the trip to satisfy my desire for a ski day before departing the beloved … Continue reading A spring ski day
So what are you going to eat?
When I tell people, I'm getting ready to hike the CDT, one question quickly comes up: "So what do you eat when you are hiking for 5 months?" Good question! And definitely one that is a major source of fixation when out on trail and the body is burning all the calories it can readily … Continue reading So what are you going to eat?
Embracing the best of a wet day
The forecast for today called for high avalanche danger and rain everywhere. No need to drive far if it is wet in the mountains, wet in town, and wet east of the Cascades. Better to stick closer to home. Reduce the carbon footprint. Embrace the luxury of sleeping in. Enjoy the signs of spring in … Continue reading Embracing the best of a wet day
Taking care of logistics
Before one starts walking for 5 months and can enjoy the simplicity and soul satisfaction of trail life there is a lot of "other life" and pre-trail life chores to take care of. Some of the work is interesting and fun. While other to-do's are just "get 'er done" tasks to be checked off the … Continue reading Taking care of logistics
Getting ready for the next trail
There will be more to come. We've started getting ready for the next trail!
Time to pay it forward
Would you hike the trail again? People have asked us this question many times. Answer: Yes! We both loved our PCT experience and would happily/will happily someday set out to hike the trail again. Simply put, Gabriel would do it next year if he could. Me, I'll defer a few more seasons before another long … Continue reading Time to pay it forward
With much gratitude
When a hiker walks from Mexico to Canada it is not a solitary act. There are many people-most never known to the wanderer-who have made the dream and the journey possible. For me, the most emotionally moving and powerful moments on the trail, came not from the inspiring vistas but from the realization of the … Continue reading With much gratitude
marmot's adventures 