A Year in Review: 2016
This past year had many things to rejoice and be happy for. I graduated from college and started my career in Kentucky.
Starting in January I got out and climbed Sawtooth Mountain in the Adirondacks with my Dad.
In March I did my longest solo trip of that time and hiked 150ish miles on the Appalachian trail from Carver's Gap, TN to just north of Grayson Highlands in Virginia. This was my first time hiking across state boarders!
In April I kayaked the Lower Youghiogheny for the first time and did decently well.
In May I graduated college and two days later was at the southern terminous of the Pacific Crest Trail, having no idea what I was about to get myself into. On August 18th, 2016 I crossed into Canada finishing the longest, craziest journey of my life to date. It was a journey that made me laugh, cry, and every emotion in between. There is a lot of God in the wilderness if you're willing to say hi.
Coming back from the trail I immediately moved to Kentucky, finding a nice place near a climbing gym. I got integrated into the hockey scene, climbing and paddling communities rather quickly.
In September, I went to Gauley Fest for the first time and rafted. Returning in October to paddle the Lower Gauley in a kayak. Also in September, I paddled the Upper and Lower Nantahala river in North Carolina.
October came, and so did my brother's wedding. That was a joyous occasion where I flew home to celebrate. October was also the month I really started getting into climbing and took my first few trips to the Red River Gorge. I also decided in this month I was going to run an Ultra marathon in the coming April to satisfy my need of being on trail.
November came with a trip to the Roan Highlands and a trip to the Obed in Tennessee. Paddling tapered off because of lack of water, however, I did find some and went out to the New River either in late November or early December.
In December I met up with Ben and went hiking at Spruce Knob. The following weekend my brother road tripped down to climb at the Red and explore Kentucky. The following weekend Payton and I went to Perfect North in Indiana to perfect our skiing moves before heading north for our trip around New England. The big trip in December was the week after Christmas where Payton flew up to NY and we took off on a tour around New England. The trip started in the Adirondacks hiking Big Slide to a view in the clouds. The next day we visited Ben & Jerry's and made it to our Air BnB in Quebec. The following day was a skiing day at Jay Peak. Snow was dumping as we were skiing and the powder was phenomenal. Following skiing we drove through the white mountains of New Hampshire stopping for a hike through some of the most popular Ice climbing areas in the state. Dinner however, was on the coast of Maine, with lobster on a boat. The next day we went to see Ben in Massachusetts and headed back home at the start of the new year.
All in all, a great year and one that I will never forget. Now what is in the plans for 2017?
In 2017, I'm making my first trip to the Red Rock Rendezvous in March. I'm heading out to Oregon to climb Mt. Hood in May. My brother is graduating medical school in the end of May. Then in August I will be heading back out west to do some climbing/hiking in the Grand Tetons and Wind River Range. In between the big trips will be lots of local ones including many trips to the Red, Seneca, Linville Gorge, Chattanooga area. I'm hoping to perfect my multi-pitch craft before the Tetons trip to link up some technical climbs.
In the paddling side of my goals, I'm looking forward to running the Tellico, and I really want to huck my boat off the falls at Ohiopyle. Other than that, I'll be looking for rivers that are running to stay wet.
2017 Probably won't be as adventurous or monumental as 2016, but there's only one way to find out!
Cheers to more sunburn, tired muscles and dirty clothes in 2017.
Starting in January I got out and climbed Sawtooth Mountain in the Adirondacks with my Dad.
In March I did my longest solo trip of that time and hiked 150ish miles on the Appalachian trail from Carver's Gap, TN to just north of Grayson Highlands in Virginia. This was my first time hiking across state boarders!
In April I kayaked the Lower Youghiogheny for the first time and did decently well.
In May I graduated college and two days later was at the southern terminous of the Pacific Crest Trail, having no idea what I was about to get myself into. On August 18th, 2016 I crossed into Canada finishing the longest, craziest journey of my life to date. It was a journey that made me laugh, cry, and every emotion in between. There is a lot of God in the wilderness if you're willing to say hi.
Coming back from the trail I immediately moved to Kentucky, finding a nice place near a climbing gym. I got integrated into the hockey scene, climbing and paddling communities rather quickly.
In September, I went to Gauley Fest for the first time and rafted. Returning in October to paddle the Lower Gauley in a kayak. Also in September, I paddled the Upper and Lower Nantahala river in North Carolina.
October came, and so did my brother's wedding. That was a joyous occasion where I flew home to celebrate. October was also the month I really started getting into climbing and took my first few trips to the Red River Gorge. I also decided in this month I was going to run an Ultra marathon in the coming April to satisfy my need of being on trail.
November came with a trip to the Roan Highlands and a trip to the Obed in Tennessee. Paddling tapered off because of lack of water, however, I did find some and went out to the New River either in late November or early December.
In December I met up with Ben and went hiking at Spruce Knob. The following weekend my brother road tripped down to climb at the Red and explore Kentucky. The following weekend Payton and I went to Perfect North in Indiana to perfect our skiing moves before heading north for our trip around New England. The big trip in December was the week after Christmas where Payton flew up to NY and we took off on a tour around New England. The trip started in the Adirondacks hiking Big Slide to a view in the clouds. The next day we visited Ben & Jerry's and made it to our Air BnB in Quebec. The following day was a skiing day at Jay Peak. Snow was dumping as we were skiing and the powder was phenomenal. Following skiing we drove through the white mountains of New Hampshire stopping for a hike through some of the most popular Ice climbing areas in the state. Dinner however, was on the coast of Maine, with lobster on a boat. The next day we went to see Ben in Massachusetts and headed back home at the start of the new year.
All in all, a great year and one that I will never forget. Now what is in the plans for 2017?
In 2017, I'm making my first trip to the Red Rock Rendezvous in March. I'm heading out to Oregon to climb Mt. Hood in May. My brother is graduating medical school in the end of May. Then in August I will be heading back out west to do some climbing/hiking in the Grand Tetons and Wind River Range. In between the big trips will be lots of local ones including many trips to the Red, Seneca, Linville Gorge, Chattanooga area. I'm hoping to perfect my multi-pitch craft before the Tetons trip to link up some technical climbs.
In the paddling side of my goals, I'm looking forward to running the Tellico, and I really want to huck my boat off the falls at Ohiopyle. Other than that, I'll be looking for rivers that are running to stay wet.
2017 Probably won't be as adventurous or monumental as 2016, but there's only one way to find out!
Cheers to more sunburn, tired muscles and dirty clothes in 2017.