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Going Backwards

By Jennifer

During the summer of 2011, I was hiking to the top of Baldpate Mountain in Maine – on Day 5 of the Record Attempt – and I started to feel a really sharp pain in my right shin. By the time I reached the ridgeline, my leg hurt so badly …

 

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The Trail Taught Me to "Lean In"

By Jennifer

I just finished reading the current female business manifesto Lean In by Sheryl Sandberg. And for the record, two thumbs up. I applaud the way that Sandberg urges us to reexamine gender roles in the workplace. But like most business books – and most books in general – …

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Wild - Odyssa - Strayed - Pharr

By Brew

Several months ago, on a late September afternoon, Jen and I were having lunch in this gorgeous Central Asian tea room in Boulder, CO with legendary hiker Andrew Skurka and his wife Amanda. An hour into our conversation, Skurka asked, “Who are the two most famous thru-hikers in …

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Reflections of a Thru Hiker by Luke "Gribley" Costlow

By Jennifer

I had the pleasure of meeting Luke “Gribley” Costlow after his 2012 thru-hike. He is an excellent hiker, writer and the significant other of BRHC’s wonderful guide Macon York. Here is a beautifully written reflection of his experience on the trail. Enjoy!

Sometimes I forget that the Appalachian Trail …

 

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at home on the trail

By Jennifer

Last month, Brew and I hit the trail with our good friend New York Steve and our baby Charley. The purpose of our trip was to help prepare Steve for his A.T. thru-hike next spring. Steve is an incredible athlete, but he had never spent the night in the woods …

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1971-1987 Section Hiker - Interview

By Jennifer

I had the joy of interviewing an A.T. Section Hiker who tackled the trail back in the 1970s and 1980s. He said when he finished his section hike, only about 70 other people had completed the entire trail. I had a lot of fun doing the interview. I learned a …

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Questions for Matt Kirk

By Jennifer

It is always nice – and really interesting – to ask other hikers some of the questions that the audience likes to raise after my presentations. This week I asked my friend, and the A.T. Unsupported Record Holder,Matt Kirk a few thought provoking questions to …

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Becoming Odyssa - Biggest Regret

By Jennifer

I am very proud of my book, Becoming Odyssa. But I am NOT proud of everything I did in Becoming Odyssa. Perhaps, the thing that I value most about the book is that it is a honest, authentic retelling of my first thru-hike on the Appalachian …

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Rivals

By Jennifer

Last week, our Colorado book tour took us to Neptune Mountaineering in Boulder, CO. Boulder is pretty much Outdoor Hollywood. Driving down the streets there is a good chance you will pass the Backpacker or Climbing Magazine company cars. And when you hit the …

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Brew's News

By Brew

Jen’s asked me to be a guest blogger on her website so I thought I’d start by telling everyone what I’ve been up to. After seven years of teaching middle and high school History, I’m taking a break. I love teaching and there’s a good chance I’ll end up teaching again. …

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