Ben CarpenterDay 30: Hostels and the Appalachian Trail’s BackstageThe forest was a carnival of bare snags, bird song, sun-warmed pine resin, and moss at Shelton Graves, where two Union soldiers died while…4d ago4d ago
Ben CarpenterinA Cheap Trip4 Kinds of Hikers in my First Week on the Appalachian TrailWashed Off the Mountain5d ago5d ago
Ben CarpenterNorth Carolina Welcomes You, Week 3 on the Appalachian TrailUnless it’s windy, there is no sound during midday on top of a bald. No cars, no planes, and even the birds are quiet. The other hikers are…Jul 281Jul 281
Ben CarpenterDoubt and Other Pests in Week 2 on the Appalachian TrailEnter Doubt, Stage LeftJul 21Jul 21
Ben CarpenterinA Cheap TripMy Feelings, Days Out from Starting on the Appalachian TrailI want to write down some thoughts about what I’m feeling with a few days left to go before I leave friends and family behind to attempt a…Jul 7Jul 7
Ben Carpenter6 Questions for My Partner in preparation for my thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail in 2024A topic I haven’t seen much written about (with notable exceptions) is how to talk to your significant other about committing to a…Feb 1Feb 1
Ben CarpenterinA Cheap Trip28 Reasons I’ll Be Thru-Hiking the Appalachian Trail in 2024Probably the most common piece of advice I hear from folks who have completed a thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail, is to thoroughly…Jan 22Jan 22
Ben CarpenterinA Cheap TripOn the State of London Pancake Houses and Closing AddressLetter to the King Part 6: A visit to the River Thames, and reflections on the tripDec 12, 20232Dec 12, 20232
Ben CarpenterinA Cheap TripOn the State of Country RoadsLetter to the King Part 5: White knuckled driving; visits to ancestral stomping groundsDec 8, 20233Dec 8, 20233