Blog
Day 39 – August 5
Highlights: 1. Passing it forward to another hiker. 2. Breakfast at Ernie’s and pre-breakfast coffee at that café—I still can’t remember the name. 3. The feeling of freedom while hitchhiking. 4. Human Encounters: Lookup – UK photographer living in Thailand, Flood (again), Shannon at Ernie’s – recommended Glacier, Fox Den guy who shared tales of…
Day 38 – August 4: Generosity of strangers
3 Highlights: 1. Breakfast paid by an anonymous donor. 2. Generous woman in a coffee shop gave me $50. 3. Popcorn gifted by a Mountain Man participant (old school artisanal style). Daily Summary: – Distance hiked: 0 km – Starting point: West Yellowstone – Ending point: West Yellowstone – Weather conditions: Mixed Daily Reflections (challenges,…
Day 37 – August 3
3 Highlights: 1. Breakfast at Monument Mountain. 2. Lunch with classical music. 3. Finally getting a camp spot in West Yellowstone (washing detergent included 👍🏽). Daily Summary: – Distance hiked: 40 km – Starting point: Below Monument Mountain – Ending point: West Yellowstone – Weather conditions: Hot Daily Reflections (challenges, insights, musings): The day began…
Day 36 – August 2
3 Highlights: 1. Spanish Peaks 2. Hot food in Big Sky and friendly locals 3. Great hitchhiking Daily Summary: – Distance hiked: 40 km (+30 km hitchhiked) – Starting point: N45.38…/W 111.44… – Ending point: Just by Monument Mountain – Weather conditions: Hot Daily Reflections (challenges, insights, musings): Woke up before 5 AM, and I…
Day 35 – August 1
3 Highlights: Daily Summary: Daily Reflections (challenges, insights, musings): The day began beautifully at Ennis Lake, surrounded by the delightful sounds of birds basking in the morning sun. Feeling energized, I set off, knowing I had a significant climb ahead—from 1500 meters to 2800 meters. The first two hours covered 12 km, but I hadn’t…
Day 34 – July 31
3 Highlights: Daily Summary: Daily Reflections (challenges, insights, musings): Today started beautifully as I hiked down from my camping spot. I hit a dirt road and felt a bit disappointed at the long stretch ahead, but the distant mountains provided some solace. Along the way, I encountered several friendly locals, exchanging greetings which lifted my…
Day 33 – July 30
3 Highlights: Daily Summary: Daily Reflections (challenges, insights, musings): The day began with what can only be described as a “Pitufo moment.” An urgent bathroom need hit while I was in the middle of town. I packed up some gear in a panic, only to find the nearest portapotty locked. Sweating and increasingly desperate, I…
Day 32 – July 29: Whitehall
Return of the Cocoa Bean 3 Highlights: 1. Family hugs. 2. Lena reunion and chat about lightning. 3. Nice salad in Whitehall. Daily Summary: – Distance hiked: 11 km (+10 in airports) – Starting point: Raleigh to Bozeman via air, Bozeman to Pipe via car – Ending point: Whitehall – Weather conditions: Sunny Daily Reflections…
Day 27 to 31 – July 24 to 28 (Off trail in Raleigh, NC)
July 24:In Raleigh, I spent time with Angelita and Carlos, learning about their childhood in Olomega, where hunting iguanas to feed siblings was a norm. I got to know Belen, enjoyed love-making with Lanski, and marveled at turtles during my run. The mixture of rain and sun seemed to reflect the warmth of family and…
Day 26 – July 23
Highlights: 1 Touring Bozeman on a bike. 2 Salad in Chicago. 3 Human interactions: Lena/Tim, Sky (student), Brian (ex-banker), Angelita and Carlos. Daily Summary: – Distance hiked: 0 km – Starting point: Bozeman – Ending point: Raleigh – Weather conditions: Lightning storms Daily Reflections (challenges, insights, musings): Ah, Bozeman. A town where you can bike…