Sounds like you're absolutely killing it out there!!! 26 miles is a marathon day, thats quite a feat. Super glad your knee has fixed itself. Love when things work out like that lol.
Amazing pictures, and also--I know this isn't the point of your blog--but I wanted to say that your writing is really impressive and I like the writing style you've adopted. That first paragraph on this one pulled me in hard and then I couldn't look away after!
That cabin at 8000 feet in the snow sounds really intense, and also cozy with the fire going. In that picture of it, it looks like you packed snow into the doorway to insulate it... is that what's going on?
Another question: seems like caveman has really been disregarding the standard water health and safety concerns. Have you confronted him about this at all and told him that he has a high likelihood to get sick? Not saying you should, but I'm just curious about the dynamic here. Does he scoff at your "useless" water filtering? lol
The pictures are showing so many, vastly different biomes that you've traveled through already. I'm hyped for the next post and to keep seeing your travels take you! Only slightly envious :)
Yes we packed snow in the doorway to block the wind from coming in and to keep the heat from the fire in.
Caveman has been talked to, don’t worry. He has actually bought a water filter, but to be honest the water up here in most places seems as fresh as it can get. He knows the risk and is willing to take it. Good for him I say, it makes me feel better about my situation.
If you end up falling in a fast moving stream, your pack will make it harder to get up. Not to mention it can catch on branches or rocks and force you under
Now that some conflicts are being introduced to the story with the snowy terrain and more inclement weather, I'm on the edge of my seat waiting for the next riveting chapter in this story!
For real though these posts are super interesting, both the details of the journey and your ability to write in a captivating way is making me look forward to each new blog post!
Fantastic pictures as always, I very much appreciate the wordiness because it provides great context and feels like I'm reading a real page-turner of a book. I never thought of the importance of unbuckling your pack during a water crossing, I imagine I'll be learning lots from you through this blog and hiking together back in Washington. I definitely see the resemblance to the eastern cascades in those pics and know that hot pine smell. It's crazy that you've hit all that snow so soon, but it seems like you've navigated the weather pretty well. Love the food discussion and I'm eager to hear what sorts of meals become "staples" along the way. I'd say keep picking up 1 or 2 avocados at resupplies while in California, they aren't gonna get any better as you head north! Keep up the great progress!
What a fantastic journey (of a lifetime)! Super happy you're doing well physically (don't forget to put your sunscreen on) and to read all your lovely descriptions and observations along the way. I'm with you in spirit all the way!
For real this is more gripping and well-written than just about any other travelogue I’ve read. Vivid af. I’m curious if you’re taking regular notes, beyond those scribbled on the cafe pastry bag? I’d imagine some of these days must start to blur together in your head despite all the excitement but your written accounts are so detailed and clear.
PS if you find yourself on the verge of starvation, I hear Frenchmen are delicious.
SO glad you're having - what seems to be - a life-changing time out there, seeing diverse, beautiful ecosystems, and meeting generous people (and their tiny dogs named James Bond -- excellent dog name btw!). We all miss you dearly, but I'm SO glad you decided to go on this journey!
You've clearly put a lot of thought and effort into this blog -- thank you sharing your experience with us through your splendid writing and pictures, meanwhile you're hiking like 4 marathons in between blog posts. Looking forward to your next entries! Rooting for you.
Hi, I was just about ready to PM your Mom to see if she heard from you, but thought I'd double check to see if you had made a blog entry. I hadn't seen the notification that you had posted. I absolutely love your blog, thank you for taking us along on your quest. Sounds like you are doing everything right. The hiker community that you have encountered seems so helpful and good for the soul and mind. Hope to see you later on as you pass through the Carson/Echo area. Take care - Cousin Judy
Wow! Just wow! You are on quite a magnificent journey, one I suspect will enable to to tackle any challenge you come upon. I am so thrilled that you have met so many wonderful people and the you continue to experience the magic of it all. You will have so much to share and experience as you continue this odyssey. Please stay safe. Text me if you need anything. It was so nice getting a text from you. I’ve been doing a lot of hiking lately and as I do some challenging climbs I think of you and imagine I am with you. If you need more gear, let me know. I was happy to help you out. Stay safe and soak everything in. Love you! Thanks for the beautiful photos. I especially love the wildflowers.
wow, adriaan! i can not wait to read this whole thing. i am knee deep in potato flax earth balance mixture at the moment. so happy for you!! i tell everyone that comes in about my old co-worker adriaan who is walking from mexico to canada
Adriaan....Wow! Great writing! Great pictures! It is lots of fun for me to see where I grew up through your eyes. I can't believe the crazy weather. Really looking forward to every entry you write! Stay warm and safe.
Hey Adriaan, really enjoying your detailed blog and amazing photos. We were so glad we got a chance to chat with you briefly at Higher Grounds Coffee in Idyllwild on 3/27. We had a great local hike in the snow after coffee, and were thinking about you out there on the trail. Looking forward to your next post, Laurel and Andrea
Hi Adriaan! What an amazing experience you are sharing with us. Couple oddball questions for you: 1) with all that intense activity, regardless of the amount of calories eaten, do you think may still be losing weight? 2) a guy in our office asked how often you need to ‘reboot’ or ‘resole’ your hiking boots? He thought maybe every 250-300 miles they may need replacement?
Regardless, just want to say how great it is to know you are doing something that brings you meaning and fulfillment. That’s always been something you’ve been good at… and we can all take away a lesson from you here. Aloha & stay safe! Uncle Nolan
Hi uncle Nolan! Normally people buy new shoes every 500-700 miles. Weight has an impact on how much the shoe wears and also the terrain. Apparently the volcanic rock in Oregon really chews up shoes. I hope my first pair will let me until mile 700/ the end of the desert section.
I’ve had an opportunity to weigh myself just a few days ago and I’ve lost 5 pounds. It can be difficult to get enough calories in a day. I’m usually aiming for around 3000 but I’m likely burning more than that on a long or hard day.
I just love reading every detail you are describing. I feel like I am with you on the trail. What a wonderful experience for you to have. So glad your knees have acclimated to the extensive hiking. Stay warm, stay safe, stay hydrated, stay healthy, stay happy and enjoy the adventure, looking forward to your next blog. 😊🥰
Sounds like you're absolutely killing it out there!!! 26 miles is a marathon day, thats quite a feat. Super glad your knee has fixed itself. Love when things work out like that lol.
Amazing pictures, and also--I know this isn't the point of your blog--but I wanted to say that your writing is really impressive and I like the writing style you've adopted. That first paragraph on this one pulled me in hard and then I couldn't look away after!
That cabin at 8000 feet in the snow sounds really intense, and also cozy with the fire going. In that picture of it, it looks like you packed snow into the doorway to insulate it... is that what's going on?
Another question: seems like caveman has really been disregarding the standard water health and safety concerns. Have you confronted him about this at all and told him that he has a high likelihood to get sick? Not saying you should, but I'm just curious about the dynamic here. Does he scoff at your "useless" water filtering? lol
The pictures are showing so many, vastly different biomes that you've traveled through already. I'm hyped for the next post and to keep seeing your travels take you! Only slightly envious :)
I’m glad you’re enjoying my prose!
Yes we packed snow in the doorway to block the wind from coming in and to keep the heat from the fire in.
Caveman has been talked to, don’t worry. He has actually bought a water filter, but to be honest the water up here in most places seems as fresh as it can get. He knows the risk and is willing to take it. Good for him I say, it makes me feel better about my situation.
Oh also, why do you need to unbuckle your hip belt in a water crossing?
If you end up falling in a fast moving stream, your pack will make it harder to get up. Not to mention it can catch on branches or rocks and force you under
Ah hmm makes sense
Now that some conflicts are being introduced to the story with the snowy terrain and more inclement weather, I'm on the edge of my seat waiting for the next riveting chapter in this story!
For real though these posts are super interesting, both the details of the journey and your ability to write in a captivating way is making me look forward to each new blog post!
Fantastic pictures as always, I very much appreciate the wordiness because it provides great context and feels like I'm reading a real page-turner of a book. I never thought of the importance of unbuckling your pack during a water crossing, I imagine I'll be learning lots from you through this blog and hiking together back in Washington. I definitely see the resemblance to the eastern cascades in those pics and know that hot pine smell. It's crazy that you've hit all that snow so soon, but it seems like you've navigated the weather pretty well. Love the food discussion and I'm eager to hear what sorts of meals become "staples" along the way. I'd say keep picking up 1 or 2 avocados at resupplies while in California, they aren't gonna get any better as you head north! Keep up the great progress!
I think I will be including a food section on the next post
Also packed out 4 avocados this time haha
Mmm those fats are certainly worth their weight, enjoy!
let’s gooooo
Let's gooo
What a fantastic journey (of a lifetime)! Super happy you're doing well physically (don't forget to put your sunscreen on) and to read all your lovely descriptions and observations along the way. I'm with you in spirit all the way!
For real this is more gripping and well-written than just about any other travelogue I’ve read. Vivid af. I’m curious if you’re taking regular notes, beyond those scribbled on the cafe pastry bag? I’d imagine some of these days must start to blur together in your head despite all the excitement but your written accounts are so detailed and clear.
PS if you find yourself on the verge of starvation, I hear Frenchmen are delicious.
SO glad you're having - what seems to be - a life-changing time out there, seeing diverse, beautiful ecosystems, and meeting generous people (and their tiny dogs named James Bond -- excellent dog name btw!). We all miss you dearly, but I'm SO glad you decided to go on this journey!
You've clearly put a lot of thought and effort into this blog -- thank you sharing your experience with us through your splendid writing and pictures, meanwhile you're hiking like 4 marathons in between blog posts. Looking forward to your next entries! Rooting for you.
Great read! Just caught up with the last 2 posts. One question I have is what music has been hitting the best with the scenery?
Hi, I was just about ready to PM your Mom to see if she heard from you, but thought I'd double check to see if you had made a blog entry. I hadn't seen the notification that you had posted. I absolutely love your blog, thank you for taking us along on your quest. Sounds like you are doing everything right. The hiker community that you have encountered seems so helpful and good for the soul and mind. Hope to see you later on as you pass through the Carson/Echo area. Take care - Cousin Judy
Wow! Just wow! You are on quite a magnificent journey, one I suspect will enable to to tackle any challenge you come upon. I am so thrilled that you have met so many wonderful people and the you continue to experience the magic of it all. You will have so much to share and experience as you continue this odyssey. Please stay safe. Text me if you need anything. It was so nice getting a text from you. I’ve been doing a lot of hiking lately and as I do some challenging climbs I think of you and imagine I am with you. If you need more gear, let me know. I was happy to help you out. Stay safe and soak everything in. Love you! Thanks for the beautiful photos. I especially love the wildflowers.
wow, adriaan! i can not wait to read this whole thing. i am knee deep in potato flax earth balance mixture at the moment. so happy for you!! i tell everyone that comes in about my old co-worker adriaan who is walking from mexico to canada
Adriaan....Wow! Great writing! Great pictures! It is lots of fun for me to see where I grew up through your eyes. I can't believe the crazy weather. Really looking forward to every entry you write! Stay warm and safe.
Hey Adriaan, really enjoying your detailed blog and amazing photos. We were so glad we got a chance to chat with you briefly at Higher Grounds Coffee in Idyllwild on 3/27. We had a great local hike in the snow after coffee, and were thinking about you out there on the trail. Looking forward to your next post, Laurel and Andrea
Thanks for checking in! I hope your hike wasn’t as arduous
Hi Adriaan! What an amazing experience you are sharing with us. Couple oddball questions for you: 1) with all that intense activity, regardless of the amount of calories eaten, do you think may still be losing weight? 2) a guy in our office asked how often you need to ‘reboot’ or ‘resole’ your hiking boots? He thought maybe every 250-300 miles they may need replacement?
Regardless, just want to say how great it is to know you are doing something that brings you meaning and fulfillment. That’s always been something you’ve been good at… and we can all take away a lesson from you here. Aloha & stay safe! Uncle Nolan
Hi uncle Nolan! Normally people buy new shoes every 500-700 miles. Weight has an impact on how much the shoe wears and also the terrain. Apparently the volcanic rock in Oregon really chews up shoes. I hope my first pair will let me until mile 700/ the end of the desert section.
I’ve had an opportunity to weigh myself just a few days ago and I’ve lost 5 pounds. It can be difficult to get enough calories in a day. I’m usually aiming for around 3000 but I’m likely burning more than that on a long or hard day.
I just love reading every detail you are describing. I feel like I am with you on the trail. What a wonderful experience for you to have. So glad your knees have acclimated to the extensive hiking. Stay warm, stay safe, stay hydrated, stay healthy, stay happy and enjoy the adventure, looking forward to your next blog. 😊🥰
A bunch of my friends (and I) want to know how much your backpack weighs on average.