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Trekking Sketches

Welcome to our travel, hiking, and adventure blog!

We are New England-based hikers who love sharing traveling and trekking experiences through drawing, writing, and photography with our friends, family, and community of adventurers. The phrase, “Trekking Sketches” encapsulates the essence of what we love about traveling: physically moving through space while sketching images, thoughts, and poems about how we experience the world around us. Our blog is a place for us to record our impressions of the cities and natural places that we explore on foot.

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Recent Posts

PCT Section: Kennedy Meadows South to Kearsarge Pass

Hiking the Pacific Crest Trail from Kennedy Meadows South to Kearsarge PassRead the postPCT Section:...

PCT Section: Walker Pass to Kennedy Meadows South

PCT section from Walker Pass to Kennedy Meadows SouthRead the postPCT Section: Walker Pass to...

Hiking gear for the Pacific Crest Trail - pack, shoes, tent, sleeping bag, etc.

Pacific Crest Trail Gear List For Couples

Our gear list for section hiking the Pacific Crest Trail in long sections.Read the postPacific...

Days 47-56 on the Pacific Crest Trail in Washington: Snoqualmie Pass to Canada

Hiking the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) from Snoqualmie Pass, WA to CanadaRead the postDays 47-56...

Days 36-46 on the Pacific Crest Trail in Washington: Cascade Locks to Snoqualmie Pass

Hiking the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) from Cascade Locks, Oregon to Snoqualmie Pass, WARead the...

Days 30-35 on the Pacific Crest Trail in Oregon: Sisters to Cascade Locks

Hiking the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) from Sisters to Cascade Locks, OregonRead the postDays 30-35...

trekkingsketches

Kevin (Stretch 🦵 ) & Kathy (Dr. Lotus 🪷)
AT ‘22, NH48, winter NH48, NE67, LT, TCT, Camino Primitivo, PCT LASH 1,200/2650 ✍🏼 Our Blog ⤵️

Tracing the AMC White Mountain Guide brought us to

Tracing the AMC White Mountain Guide brought us to a bunch of new trails tucked away in quieter areas around Squam Lake. We did a one-way bike spot so we could fill in a 13 mile section around Morgan and Percival.

We quickly popped up the steep ladders to Morgan for some incredible views with fall colors. Love exploring the less-traveled nooks and crannies of NH trails even if it takes a little more work. 🚲 🥾

📍 Wabanaki (Dawnland Confederacy) and N’dakina (Abenaki) Native Lands

#fallhikes #fallhiking #fallhike #fallhighlights #octoberhike #squamlake #squamlakenh #nhlakesregion #nhlakes #nhhiking #nhhikes #nhhikers #newenglandhiking #newenglandhiking #coupleshiking #appalachianmountainclub #bikespot #fujifilm_xseries #fujifilm #fujifilmxt5 #fujifilmxseries #leafpeeping #hikerlife #hikinglife #hikemore #hikenewhampshire #hikenh #tracethewhites #mountmorgan

Peak fall foliage 🍁✨ 📸 #fujifilmxt5 fun

Peak fall foliage 🍁✨

📸 #fujifilmxt5 fun

#foliage_love #fallfoliage #fallhiking #fallhikes #fallhike #foliage_love #fallhikes🍁🍂 #fujifilm #myfujifilm #myfujilove #myfujifilmlegacy #myfujifeed #fujixseries #fujifilm_xseries #fujifeed #fujifilmglobal #lakesregionnh #nhlakes #nhlakesregion #squamlake #squamlakenh #nhfall #nhfoliage #newhampshireoutdoors #newhampshirefall #stioaffiliate #newenglandfoliage #foliagephotography #nhhiking #lettheoutsidein

📸 McAfee Knob! Two years ago, we stood on thi

📸 McAfee Knob!

Two years ago, we stood on this same ledge as different people. In the middle of our AT thru-hike, the experience was changing us. We handled tough challenges, accomplished things we didn’t know we were capable of, crumbled to pieces and put them back together, shed the unnecessary, and grew into better versions of ourselves.

Returning to this section of trail reminded us of how grateful we are for the AT and for our time distance hiking together. It’s a part of us and we miss it in some way every day.

📍Yesan Native Lands

#trekkingsketches #appalachiantrail #appalachiantrailclassof2022 #stioaffiliate #lettheoutsidein #hikerlife #hikertrash #thruhike #thruhiking #whiteblaze #atflipflop #appalachiantrailflipflop #backpacking #backpackers #backpackerlife #outdooradventure #livingoutdoors #whiteblazes #hikevirginia #virginiahiking #virginiaisforlovers #hikeva #coupleswhohike #hikingcouples #adventuringcouples #adventureoutdoors #virginiatriplecrown

9.14.24: Single day extended Pemi! We looked at

9.14.24: Single day extended Pemi!

We looked at the weather forecast and saw a sunny day with low wind and we knew it was a single day Pemi day. We did this loop four years ago, but this time we added Galehead and West Bond. There’s something to returning to trails that are so familiar and grounding but spur so much growth. The day passed quickly and with relative ease. We took our time to really feel the embodiment that hiking in the Whites brings. It just felt like coming home.

By the numbers:
- 10 4,000 footers
- 32+ miles
- 10,600ft of elevation gain
- 15.5 hours total, 13.5 moving

📍 Wabanaki (Dawnland Confederacy) and Abenaki Native Lands

#hikethewhites #whitemountains #whitemountainnationalforest #whitemountainsnh #nhwhitemountains #nhmountains #whitemountainwanderers #whitemountainsnewhampshire #wmnf #wmnfhikers #wmnf_hikers #pemigewassetwilderness #pemiwilderness #pemiloop #singledaypemi #hikerlife #appalachiantrail #appalachianmountains #whiteblaze #attrail #dayhike

Shots from our single day Pemi Loop Franconia Rid

Shots from our single day Pemi Loop

Franconia Ridge at golden hour 😍

#trekkingsketches #hikingwmnf #hikersofinstagram #nicehike #hikenh #hikeon #visitnh #mountainsarecalling #whitemountains #hikethewhites #nh4000footers #optoutside #wmnfhikers #getoutsidenh #exploremore #singledaypemi #pemiloop #pemigewassetwilderness #eastcoastcreatives #livelifeoutside #livingonearth #landscapephotography #earthpix #naturephotography #fujixseries #fujilove #myfujifilm #myfujilove #fujifilmglobal #fujifilmusa

Days 11-12: our first time kayak camping! We got l

Days 11-12: our first time kayak camping! We got lucky and nabbed one of the best campsites in Kejimkujik National Park in Nova Scotia. Island campsite with a private beach? Yes please! We spent two days paddling around, fishing, exploring a bunch of islands, and drinking admittedly warm beer in our hammock. 🍻 🛶

📍 Mi’kma’ki and Wabanaki (Dawnland Confederacy) Native Lands

#loveislandcanadaedition #kayakcamping #kayaktrip #kayakcamp #kayaklife #kayakadventures #kayakfishing #yogaeveryday #kejimkujiknationalpark #canadaadventures #canadiannationalpark #nationalparkcanada #novascotiaadventures #novascotiatravel #novascotiasummer #summeradventures #campinglife #campingseason #campingtrip #outdoorsummer #yogaoutside #kayakandchill #loveisland #summervibes #lakevibes

How has it been 2 years already?! The further we

How has it been 2 years already?!

The further we get from our AT thru hike, the more we feel its enduring effects on so much of our lives.

We’ve been compiling unfinished journal notes into some reflections of our time on trail. Here’s an excerpt from our Katahdin summit day.

“As we drew closer to the peak, a circle of dark figures standing like stone monoliths appeared through the mist. Then, voices, cheers, and a palpable aura of excitement cut through the dreary day like rays of sun through clouds. We laid our hands on the weathered sign, hoisted ourselves up, and stood side by side, holding each other for support as the sideways rain and howling wind attempted to knock us over. For most, standing atop Katahdin represents the culmination of a long and arduous journey of walking 2,200 miles from Georgia to Maine. But not for us. Up to this point, we had walked 800 miles across five states over two months and still had 1,400 miles ahead of us. This wasn’t the end; rather, we were somewhere in the murky, indiscernible middle. Staring off into the gray abyss, we waded through endless oceans of thoughts, unsure as to whether we were closer to the start of something or the end of it.”

📍Wabanaki (Dawnland Confederacy), N’dakina (Abenaki) and Penobscot Native Land

#appalachiantrail #atc #appalachiantrailconservancy #atcspotlight #at2022 #atclass #atclassof2022 #appalachiantrailhike #atthruhike #atthruhike2022 #thruhiking #thruhikers #thruhiker #thruhike #appalachiantrailthruhike #mainehiking #katahdin #baxterstatepark #northernterminus #thruhikerlife #longdistancehiking #longdistancehike #reflections #hikingjournal

Day 10: Moving into the kayaking era. First up was

Day 10: Moving into the kayaking era. First up was sea kayaking around the 100 Wild Islands on Nova Scotia’s eastern shore and it did not disappoint!

We both wore our new @stio sun hoodies (Hylas Pullover) - ideal attire for being on the water. And our @orukayaks were super stable for the paddle around these small rocky islands. Misty ocean fog drifted through the channels and revealed bits of blue sky in the distance. Then we enjoyed stopping off at a rocky spit and were enamored by the bright seaweed swaying with the rising tide. Love all those bits of unpredicted beauty when we venture outdoors.

📍 Mi’kma’ki and Wabanaki (Dawnland Confederacy) Native Lands

#trekkingsketches #stioaffiliate #lettheoutsidein #novascotia #canada #visitcanada #summerhikingadventures #summercampingtrip #canadianroadtrip #canadianmaritimes #100wildislands #seakayak #seakayaking #islands #kayak #kayaking #kayaklife #paddle #whenincanada #ohcanada #coupleswhohike #rohnsontheroad

Day 9: Morning hike 1 (Middlehead), morning hike 2

Day 9: Morning hike 1 (Middlehead), morning hike 2 (Franey Trail, loved it), jump into the ocean, picnic on the beach, paddle board, then enjoy our first airbnb with a sunset view after over a week of camping. Funny thing, does anybody else sleep better in their tent instead of a bed sometimes? 🤔⛺️

📍 Mi’kma’ki and Wabanaki (Dawnland Confederacy) Native Lands

#trekkingsketches #trekkingadventure #cabottrail #capebreton #capebretonadventure #capebretonnationalpark #cabottrailnovascotia #novascotia #novascotiahiking #canadahiking #canadahikes #summerhiking #summerhikingadventures #hikecanada #hikingcanada #capebretonhighlandsnationalpark #capebretonhighlands #capebretonisland #skylinetrail #lobsterpoutine #summercampingtrip #canadianroadtrip #canadianmaritimes #franeytrail #middleheadtrail #beavercove #coupleswhohike #rohnsontheroad

To end day 8 we hiked a short coastal trail and th

To end day 8 we hiked a short coastal trail and then took a walk along the beach from our campground. We love how full our days have been and all the beautiful places we have experienced. Beyond grateful!

📍 Mi’kma’ki and Wabanaki (Dawnland Confederacy) Native Lands

#trekkingsketches #trekkingadventure #cabottrail #capebreton #capebretonadventure #capebretonnationalpark #cabottrailnovascotia #novascotia #novascotiahiking #canadahiking #canadahikes #summerhiking #summerhikingadventures #hikecanada #hikingcanada #capebretonhighlandsnationalpark #capebretonhighlands #capebretonisland #summercampingtrip #canadianroadtrip #canadianmaritimes #coupleswhohike #rohnsontheroad #lightroomtravelcontest

Day 8: We took full advantage of the day’s gorge

Day 8: We took full advantage of the day’s gorgeous weather by hiking multiple trails, strolling along beaches, and stopping only for lobster poutine. Skyline Trail was worth the hype! We were so glad we saved this hike for a sunny day. The Theodore Fricker trail was short, but steep. Grateful for the ropes to help us up some of the scree. The views of the mountains + the water along Cape Breton were absolutely unreal.

📍 Mi’kma’ki and Wabanaki (Dawnland Confederacy) Native Lands

#trekkingsketches #trekkingadventure #cabottrail #capebreton #capebretonadventure #capebretonnationalpark #cabottrailnovascotia #novascotia #novascotiahiking #canadahiking #canadahikes #summerhiking #summerhikingadventures #hikecanada #hikingcanada #capebretonhighlandsnationalpark #capebretonhighlands #capebretonisland #skylinetrail #lobsterpoutine #summercampingtrip #canadianroadtrip #canadianmaritimes #coupleswhohike #rohnsontheroad

Day 7 of camping and roadtripping in the Canadian

Day 7 of camping and roadtripping in the Canadian Maritimes: entering Cape Breton and the Cabot Trail in Nova Scotia! It rained off and on for most of our first day, which meant switching up our itinerary to do some lower, forest covered trail runs and beach strolls instead of higher coastal hikes. The clouds gave the area a moody vibe that was actually really striking. Silver linings! We nabbed a first come first serve campsite right on the coast where we caught ethereal views of light piercing the clouds at sunset and our first seal sightings!

📍 Mi’kma’ki and Wabanaki (Dawnland Confederacy) Native Lands

#trekkinglovers #rohnsontheroad #trailrunninglife #hikingadventures #capebreton #capebretonisland #capebretonnationalpark #cabottrail #capebretonadventure #novascotiaroadtrip #novascotiaadventures #canadianmaritimes #canadasummer #campingvibes #camplife #summercampingtrip

Days 5-6 of our Canada roadtrip: Prince Edward Isl

Days 5-6 of our Canada roadtrip: Prince Edward Island! Less hiking, but more running, beach walking, and indulging in yummy seafood! Not a bad break in the middle of a heavy hiking and kayaking trip. Also, the sunsets 🌅 were incredible. Got to walk to the beach right from our campsite.

📍 Mi’kma’ki and Wabanaki (Dawnland Confederacy) Native Lands

#rohnsontheroad #trekkinglovers #trekking #canadaadventures #summervacay #canadasummer #canadaroadtrip #peicanada #princeedwardisland #princeedwardislandcanada #peinationalpark #beach #beachvibes #beachvacation #peimussels #seafood #beachcamping #beachlife #lighthouses #beachdunes #handstands #beachhandstand #pei #visitpei

Days 3-4 of the road trip: experiencing the highes

Days 3-4 of the road trip: experiencing the highest tide changes in the world at Hopewell Rocks!

The Bay of Fundy is WILD. In 24 hours, we walked on the ocean floor at low tide then kayaked at the same place at high tide (see differences in pics 1-4). Because we were close to the full moon, the tide difference between the two was huge: 42 feet! The water was rising at a foot every 10 minutes 🤯. Going here was fulfilling one of Kevin’s lifelong science guy dreams!

📍 Mi’kma’ki and Wabanaki (Dawnland Confederacy) Native Lands

#rohnsontheroad #trekkinglovers #trekking #canadaadventures #hopewellrocks #bayoffundy #bayoffundynewbrunswick #bayoffundytides #tidechange #changingtide #risingtide #kayakingadventures #kayakingfun #kayakingtrip #summervacay #canadasummer #newbrunswickcanada #nbcanada #canadaroadtrip #lightroomtravelcontest

Days 1-3 of our Canadian Maritimes roadtrip: Makin

Days 1-3 of our Canadian Maritimes roadtrip: Making lemonade with some sea level travel!

Readjusting our summer plans—and if we are honest, our expectations of ourselves and our hiking goals—has brought on a roller coaster of emotions. But we are embracing our car camping adventure and the beauty of the Acadian forests of New England and Canada! We are camping every night, hiking and trail running, eating fresh seafood, and exploring towns and breweries along the way. It’s feeling like a luxurious outdoor vacation!

Highlights so far (Maine and New Brunswick)
- visited Lubec, the eastern most point of the US
- walked across the ocean floor at low tide from Saint Andrew’s to Minister Island. So. cool.
- hiked a variety of coastal trails along the Bay of Fundy (lots of lighthouse sightings)!
- seafood, beer at an old church, cute coastal towns, and sunsets

Next up: Hopewell Rocks!

📍 Passamaquoddy, Wolastoqiyik (Maliseet), Mi’kma’ki, and Wabanaki (Dawnland Confederacy) Native Lands

#trekkingsketches #rohnsontheroad #carcampingadventures #canadianmaritimes #maritimes #canadavacations #newbrunswickcanada #maine #lubecmaine #hiking #hikingadventures #hikingvacation #roadtripcanada #ministersisland #saintandrewsnb #nbcanada #canadahiking #canadianhiking #summerroadtrip #summerhiking #summercamping #hikingandcamping #holywhalebrewery #splitrocktrail

Days 11, 12, 13 of the PCT to a new summer adventu

Days 11, 12, 13 of the PCT to a new summer adventure!

Whelp, things didn’t work out as we planned! Our 6 weeks of backpacking the PCT became 2, which we are so grateful for because they were beautiful. After coming down from Kearsarge Pass, we let Dr. Lotus rest for 2 days then restarted hiking at Red’s Meadow (lower elevation, but still in the 8-11,000 range). 8 miles into the day on objectively mild terrain, Dr. Lotus was…not good. The altitude was still affecting her greatly. She was a shell of her hiking self, coughing, swollen, and short of breath. We assessed the situation and the upcoming terrain (two high passes) and decided that finishing this PCT section just wasn’t right for us this summer.

It was tough to make this call, but for us, happiness and safety are more important than pride or an arbitrary outdoor goal. If we don’t have the energy to talk, be present in nature, marvel at the views, and laugh at our day’s silly woes, then why suffer for suffering sake? After all, this is our summer vacation and we want to not just survive it, but enjoy it together! During our travel day to Reno, we saw Inside Out 2 and saw our varied feelings personified: sadness, relief, anxiety, envy. 😭😭

Then, we pivoted and decided on a different, but no less exciting adventure! We are heading out for a 2+ week camping, hiking, and kayaking roadtrip through the Canadian Maritimes tomorrow! Makin’ lemonade here. Stay tuned 😎

#patRV #rohnsontheroad #summeradventures #kearsargepass #pctsectionhike #pct #pacificcresttrail #pcta #pctassociation #backpackingadventures #backpacking #backpackinglife #backpackerslife

Day 10 on the PCT: Kearsarge Pass to Independence

Day 10 on the PCT: Kearsarge Pass to Independence

Our campsite was absolutely stunning. We could see the entire valley we walked down from Forrester Pass. After 6 full days without service and with Dr. Lotus really feeling the altitude—nausea, fatigue, headaches, and ridiculous facial and limb swelling (see the pic of her trying to smile through it, but this was already after it had gone down a lot), we were ready to get to town. We took a blue blaze over Kearsarge Pass (not on the PCT), and it might have been the most beautiful trail yet. Alpine lakes and green vegetation with the high peaks in the distance.

When we got to Independence, we were able to get in touch with our doctor to get some advice and prescriptions sent to address the AMS and prevent bigger issues. Ultimately, we made the call to take a zero to let Dr. Lotus rest and decided skip the next 100 miles with the highest elevation. She was too close to facing pulmonary and cerebral edema for that to be safe. We made the best of our day off by exploring Bishop, bowling, binging ice cream, and making our way to Reds Meadow to hopefully start hiking again at slightly lower elevation. Always an adventure and health and happiness over miles.

#pct #pacificcresttrail #pcta #pctassociation #kearsarge #kearsargepass #onionvalley #pct2024 #pctsectionhike #pctsectionhiker #pct2023
#sierra #highsierra #sierramountains #backpackerlife #hikerlife #longdistancebackpacking #longdistancehiking #longdistancehiking #longdistancehike #longdistancehiker #smilesovermiles #hikertrash #hikingadventures #hikingtrails #hikingtogether #coupleswhohike #coupleswhohiketogether #couplesadventure #kingscanyonnationalpark #kingscanyon

Day 9: Forrester Pass The hike to Forrester Pass

Day 9: Forrester Pass

The hike to Forrester Pass (highest pass on the PCT) was long, but surprisingly moderate until the last mile. We walked across a plateau with the mountains surrounding us, through meadows, and between high alpine lakes fed by snowmelt waterfalls. Then the final mile ascended a seemingly impenetrable rock wall. Seriously, we couldn’t conceive of how a trail could climb that! But the vertically stacked switchbacks brought us to the top and provided outstanding views giving Lord of the Rings vibes the whole way.

Tumanguya summit day! This Indigenous Paiute name

Tumanguya summit day! This Indigenous Paiute name meaning “very old man” and/or “guardian spirit” is also known as Mt. Whitney. At 14,505 ft, it’s the highest peak in the lower 48 states so it was a huge climb. We prioritized sleep and rest for our bodies over a sunrise hike, which many thru-hikers do. So we started hiking in the early dawn on a crystal clear day and there were marmots everywhere! The scenery was eye popping, the trail climbed and skirted steep rugged cliffs, and the altitude was a punisher. Reaching the summit in the rarified air brought both joy and pain in turn. Stretch had acclimatized alright and stayed mostly on the joy side of the spectrum. Dr. Lotus unfortunately slid to the exhausted side of the spectrum. Altitude affects everyone differently and you never know until you’re up there. We managed it, got down to a more reasonable elevation, and napped at Crabtree Meadows after a memorable day.

📍 Tübatulabal, Newe Sogobia (Western Shoshone), and Nüümü (Northern Paiute) Native Lands

#pct #pcthiker #pacificcresttrail #pacificcresttrail2024 #pct2024 #pcthikers #pctsectionhike #pctsection #sectionhiker #sectionhike #sectionhikers #sectionhiking #sectionhikers #longdistancehiking #longdistancehiker #backpackers #backpacking #sierra #sierranevada #hikecalifornia #highsierras #highsierra #sierrahiking #pcta #mountains #tumanguya #tumanguyasummit #mtwhitney #mtwhitneysummit #mtwhitneytrail

Leaving Kennedy Meadows going north, we entered th

Leaving Kennedy Meadows going north, we entered the Sierra Mountains and the infamous climb to higher altitudes. Going from 6,000 ft to 10,000+ ft had us gasping for breath and exhausted by even routine tasks. The altitude affected us both, but Dr. Lotus experienced more concerning AMS symptoms. So we moved slowly and steadily, monitored her, and enjoyed alpine lakes, meadows, and mountainsides on the way to Crabtree Meadows in the Whitney Portal area.

Energy fading
Deep breath - air is life
Thin and tenuous and sweet
Slow down and be here

📍 Tübatulabal Native Lands

#pct #pcthiker #pacificcresttrail #pacificcresttrail2024 #pct2024 #pcthikers #pctsectionhike #pctsection #sectionhiker #sectionhike #sectionhikers #sectionhiking #sectionhikers #longdistancehiking #longdistancehiker #backpackers #backpacking #hikeallday #liveoutdoors #sierra #sierranevada #hikecalifornia #highsierras #highsierra #sierrahiking #pcta #mountains #mountainscape

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Appalachian Trail Posts

On November 10, 2022, we finished thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail as a flip-flop! It took us 146 days to hike all 2,194.3 miles of the AT, a long-distance hiking trail that runs through 14 states from Maine to Georgia.

For more detailed reflections about our AT experiences, check out our blog posts and this video made by 22nd Street Imaging.

We are continuing to blog about our journey, so check back soon!

A Thru-Hiker’s Guide to Flip-Flopping the Appalachian Trail

Thinking of thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail as a flip-flop? Here are some tips, gear lists,...

2022 in Review: How Thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail (AT) Affirmed, Challenged, and Changed Us

This year, we became thru-hikers. From June - November 2022, we hiked all 2,194.3 miles...

Days 143-146 on the Appalachian Trail: Georgia

Making it to the final state was surreal and a little anticlimactic. Had we really...

Days 132-142 on the Appalachian Trail: Tennessee and North Carolina – Second Half

This section of the trail included the 2,000-mile marker, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and...

Sunset over the mountains on the Appalachian Trail with a white blaze on a wooden stake

Days 122-131 on the Appalachian Trail: Tennessee and North Carolina – First Half

For over 400 miles, the Appalachian Trail traverses the Tennessee and North Carolina border. TN...

Days 109-121 on the Appalachian Trail: Virginia Part 2 – Southern Half

Entering completely new territory, we weren’t sure what to expect in southern Virginia. But, with...

Destinations

Trekking: The activity of walking long distances on foot for pleasure.

Sketches: A tentative draft, brief description, or outline; often made as preliminary study.