Your cart is currently empty.
Go to the shop
  • Appalachian Trail
    • Dreams Begin & The Appalachian Trail
  • Maine AT
    • Day 0 – Slackpacking Maine
    • Day 1 – Slackpacking Maine – AT Hike #11
    • Day 2 – Slackpacking Maine – AT Hike #12
    • Day 3 – Slackpacking Maine – AT Hike #13
    • Day 4 – Slackpacking Maine – AT Hike #14
    • Day 5 – Slackpacking Maine – AT Hike #15
    • Day 6 – Slackpacking Maine – Summit Katahdin
  • Massachusetts AT
    • Day 0 – Slackpacking Massachusetts
    • Day 1 – Slackpacking Massachusetts
    • Day 2 – Slackpacking Massachusetts
    • Day 3 – Slackpacking Massachusetts
    • Day 4 – Slackpacking Massachusetts
    • Day 5 – Slackpacking Massachusetts
    • Day 6 – Slackpacking Massachusetts
  • Pennsylvania AT
    • Hike #10 Adventure and Shadows: A Hike Through Duncannon’s Dark Past
    • Hike #9 From Doubt to Delight: A Newbie’s Unexpected Fondness of the AT
    • Hike #2 | 8.71 miles | Pennsylvania | Bernheisel Bridge Road to Boiling Springs
    • Hike #1 | 9.05 miles | Pennsylvania | Sheet Iron Roof Rd to Boiling Springs
  • Virginia AT
    • Day 1 – Slackpacking Virginia – AT Hike #16
    • Day 2 – Slackpacking Virginia – Time & Choices – AT Hike #17
    • Day 3 – Slackpacking Virginia – Beauty in the Struggle – AT Hike #18
    • Day 4 – Slackpacking Virginia – Why? – AT Hike #19
    • Day 5 – Slackpacking Virginia – Grandma Gatewood & Zero Day – AT Hike #20
  • About Me
Trending
    • Appalachian Trail, Hiking, Virginia
    • September 4, 2024

    Day 2 – Slackpacking Virginia – Time & Choices – AT Hike #17

    Hike #2 Virginia – Fox Creek to Massie Gap in Grayson Highlands State Park 9.8 Miles 2,694 gain and 1,463,...
    Grayson Highlands Wild Pony's on the Appalachian Trail
    • Appalachian Trail, Hiking, Pennsylvania
    • December 4, 2023

    Hike #2 | 8.71 miles | Pennsylvania | Bernheisel Bridge Road to Boiling Springs

    I didn’t dare ask my husband if he would hike the Appalachian Trail with me again, at least for a,...
Follow Me
  • 0
Social Links
  • Twitter icon
More like this
  • Evergreen Forest Appalachian Trail
    • Appalachian Trail, Hiking, Massachusetts
    • June 13, 2024

    Day 6 – Hike #8 Slackpacking Massachusetts

  • Day 2 - Appalachian Trail Massachusetts

    Day 2 – Hike #4 Slackpacking Massachusetts

    • June 9, 2024
Kim Ford, SIOR, LEED AP

Trailblazing NextTrailblazing Next
  • Twitter icon
Trailblazing NextTrailblazing Next
  • Appalachian Trail
    • Dreams Begin & The Appalachian Trail
  • Maine AT
    • Day 0 – Slackpacking Maine
    • Day 1 – Slackpacking Maine – AT Hike #11
    • Day 2 – Slackpacking Maine – AT Hike #12
    • Day 3 – Slackpacking Maine – AT Hike #13
    • Day 4 – Slackpacking Maine – AT Hike #14
    • Day 5 – Slackpacking Maine – AT Hike #15
    • Day 6 – Slackpacking Maine – Summit Katahdin
  • Massachusetts AT
    • Day 0 – Slackpacking Massachusetts
    • Day 1 – Slackpacking Massachusetts
    • Day 2 – Slackpacking Massachusetts
    • Day 3 – Slackpacking Massachusetts
    • Day 4 – Slackpacking Massachusetts
    • Day 5 – Slackpacking Massachusetts
    • Day 6 – Slackpacking Massachusetts
  • Pennsylvania AT
    • Hike #10 Adventure and Shadows: A Hike Through Duncannon’s Dark Past
    • Hike #9 From Doubt to Delight: A Newbie’s Unexpected Fondness of the AT
    • Hike #2 | 8.71 miles | Pennsylvania | Bernheisel Bridge Road to Boiling Springs
    • Hike #1 | 9.05 miles | Pennsylvania | Sheet Iron Roof Rd to Boiling Springs
  • Virginia AT
    • Day 1 – Slackpacking Virginia – AT Hike #16
    • Day 2 – Slackpacking Virginia – Time & Choices – AT Hike #17
    • Day 3 – Slackpacking Virginia – Beauty in the Struggle – AT Hike #18
    • Day 4 – Slackpacking Virginia – Why? – AT Hike #19
    • Day 5 – Slackpacking Virginia – Grandma Gatewood & Zero Day – AT Hike #20
  • About Me
  • Twitter icon
Browsing Category

Maine

Appalachian Trail Hiking Maine

Day 6 – Slackpacking Maine – Summit Katahdin

Kim FordAugust 11, 2024470
AGC Maine Slackpacking 2024

The climb intensified, the gradient so steep that my trekking poles became redundant, replaced by the necessity of hands and knees grappling with the rugged terrain. Donning knee pads, I embraced the grueling ascent, 'embracing the suck' as I…

Continue reading
Appalachian Trail Hiking Maine

Day 5 – Slackpacking Maine – AT Hike #15

Kim FordAugust 7, 2024396
Baxter State Park, Abol Bridge

Today, I stepped off the world's stage and wandered where the wild things are. The summit's call, a distant echo, as work and worries dissolved like morning mist. Baxter's trails beckoned, a tapestry of pine, rock, and river's song,…

Continue reading
Appalachian Trail Hiking Maine

Day 4 – Slackpacking Maine – AT Hike #14

Kim FordAugust 7, 2024390
Kim and Christine in the 100 Mile Wilderness

Today, was full of decisions. Some sections were quite difficult to navigate, with not one clear, easy path. They demanded swift, yet thoughtful choices, mirroring life's complex dance of risk and reward

Continue reading
Appalachian Trail Hiking Maine

Day 3 – Slackpacking Maine – AT Hike #13

Kim FordAugust 5, 2024491
AT Maine

The trailhead welcomed us with open arms, Karen and Danya leading the way, with the serene Nahmakanta Lake gracing our journey. A slight drop in humidity and the sporadic lake breeze were nature's small mercies. Amidst the chatter, I…

Continue reading
Appalachian Trail Hiking Maine

Day 2 – Slackpacking Maine – AT Hike #12

Kim FordAugust 5, 2024373
Appalachian Trail Maine bog boards

We all face different challenges, some known and some that catch us by surprise. Today, I encountered both. My apprehension towards water crossings was unfounded, as they were mostly dry, making them an easy feat. However, the real test…

Continue reading
  • 1
  • 2
MUST READ
    • Appalachian Trail, Hiking, Pennsylvania
    • December 4, 2023

    Hike #2 | 8.71 miles | Pennsylvania | Bernheisel Bridge Road to Boiling Springs

    I didn’t dare ask my husband if he would hike the Appalachian Trail with me again, at least for a couple of days. When I saw the weather forecast for the weekend, I could no longer resist. “Why honey, the weather looks really good this weekend. It’s going to be 60 degrees in the Carlisle area,” I said. Trying to not make the same mistake as the last hike. I figured out how to create a custom route on the Far Out app, in the correct direction, and found a section with a lot fewer squiggly lines. I screenshot the route and sent it to him. He showed up with a bag of supplies the next day. Boom!!! Without saying yes, he said yes! This time, we thought it would be wise to buy some cool headlamps and to start our next hike with additional daylight. My husband tested the headlamp out around the neighborhood when he walked the dog. I’m sure our neighbors think we are complete dorks now (if they didn’t already). We checked in at The Carlise House, a beautifully restored 1826 Civil War House in Carlisle, PA then walked to dinner at 1794 Whiskey Rebellion. I’ve,...
    Carl Hiking north of Boiling Springs PA
    • Appalachian Trail, Hiking, Virginia
    • September 8, 2024

    Day 5 – Slackpacking Virginia – Grandma Gatewood & Zero Day – AT Hike #20

    Day 5 Virginia – Bear Tree Gap to Saunders Shelter to Downtown Damascus (house) 11.2 Gain 3,149 Loss 2,072 I’m thrilled to share that today, I’ve logged 213.35 miles on the AT. With a goal of 150+ miles per year, I’m ahead of schedule. Wahoo! Today was another incredible day. The weather was perfect, we had lunch along a small stream and met a couple wearing yellow (my favorite color) who were heading into Damascus for a zero day. A “zero day” refers to a day when a hiker doesn’t cover any miles on the trail. It’s essentially a rest day, allowing a hiker to recover physically and mentally. Zero days can be spent in towns, hostels, or even at a scenic spot along the trail. These days are crucial for preventing injuries, avoiding mental fatigue, and recovering from illnesses. Taking zero days is known to help increase a hiker’s overall pace by keeping them fresh and excited about the trail. Most thru-hikers take a zero day every 7 to 10 days on average. Let’s be honest, we all need zero days in our lives. Whether it’s binge-watching our favorite shows, indulging in a spa day, or simply lounging in,...
    • Appalachian Trail, Hiking, Pennsylvania
    • November 20, 2023

    Hike #1 | 9.05 miles | Pennsylvania | Sheet Iron Roof Rd to Boiling Springs

    We were ready for our first hike on the Appalachian Trail in Pennsylvania, or were we? I joined multiple Facebook groups, bought the AT trail guide, and even bought the map bundle for the entire trail on the highly recommended Far Out app. I used the app to try to figure out the mileage and came up with a route around the 8 to 9-mile range. I thought that was the perfect distance for first-timers and our previous hiking experience. My husband took a peak at the route and mentioned that the elevation changes looked pretty challenging. I brushed off his comment thinking the squiggly lines were just little ups and downs and we would be okay. To be honest, I had tried about 10 other routes and the squiggly lines were even taller. We had hiked together many times over the years, including training for the Rachel Carson Challenge so I figured this would be just another walk in the park. We drove from Pittsburgh and parked in downtown Boiling Springs PA just across from the TCO Fly Shop. Then we took an Uber to the AT trailhead on Sheet Iron Roof Road. So far my plan was executed,...
Must Read
  • Bridge toward Damascus on Virginia Creeper Trail 1

    Day 5 – Slackpacking Virginia – Grandma Gatewood & Zero Day – AT Hike #20

    • September 8, 2024
  • 2

    Day 4 – Slackpacking Virginia – Why? – AT Hike #19

    • September 5, 2024
  • Cows on Appalachian Trail near Damascus, Virginia 3

    Day 3 – Slackpacking Virginia – Beauty in the Struggle – AT Hike #18

    • September 4, 2024
Kim Ford

Trailblazing Next

People who say they never got the chance never took the chance. The scariest place to be is the same place as last year. Just do it.... take the first step.

Follow Trailblazing Next

  • Facebook
  • Twitter iconTwitter
  • LinkedIn
  • Instagram
Trailblazing NextTrailblazing Next
© 2024 Trailblazing Next. All Rights Reserved.