It's finally happening - I'm going to New Zealand. New Zealand, a Lord of the Rings fanboy-filled land of just 4.4 million, has long occupied a spot on my "Places I Must Go" list alongside Iceland, Alaska, and Patagonia (Nepal was on there too but fortunately I managed to make it over). And
I’m Never Thru-hiking Again
I'm never thru-hiking again. What the actual fuck am I doing out here? I have to wake up early; I hate waking up early. I have to hike all day long; I hate hiking. I have to camp alone; I hate camping alone. I hate the rain. I hate the bugs. I hate the fact that I've had to abandon the "sit
Outback Bike Touring Questions
Once again, I've decided to do something based solely on the premise of "this sounds cool," and I have been unable to find answers to a lot of the questions I have about my upcoming adventure (although I am sure that if I devoted more time to searching and less time to writing about how I can't find
Finding The Ultimate Outback Touring Bike
Step one in turning my plan to bike across the Outback into reality (before the new idea excitement wears off and I change my mind), I need to invest in a bicycle (and everything that comes with owning a bicycle). Thankfully I am in Melbourne (Australia) and people here love their bicycles (there
Biking Across The Australian Outback
I've recently arrived in Australia, and have until now managed to evade the slew of horrible things that can kill me. In fact, I have yet to come face to face with any of the deadly arachnids, reptiles, or sea creatures capable of hurriedly bringing any one of us to the stoop of Death's door. In
Nepal Three Passes Trek
My departure from Nepal last January was a very sad time. I was a kid taken to the most miraculous, jaw-dropping theme park imaginable and told, "You have five minutes to enjoy yourself here before we need to leave and go home." For those five minutes things were awesome, but as soon as they
Why I Hiked The Pacific Crest Trail
At some point during all the small talk on the Pacific Crest Trail, it can be expected that your reason(s) for starting the PCT in the first place will be brought up. I never had a good response to this. The story of my Pacific Crest Trail thru-hike doesn't begin with me wanting to profoundly
Off To Nepal (And Certain Death)
I have already presented "The Ultimate Everest Base Camp Plan" and my exhaustive "Everest Base Camp Gear List", so now if (when) something goes wrong out there and I come back with a bag carrying me instead of the other way around, you can't blame it on recklessness or lack of