Videos from Maine

I was just going through my Youtube videos the other day and realized that I never posted anything from Maine. Here are the last few videos from my hike. You can also check out my redesigned Youtube Channel page where you can easily access all of my Youtube videos.

http://www.youtube.com/user/hsgw2009

Fifteen seconds of the trail in Maine:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ER6X91n8lY

Saddleback Mountain, July 6 2009:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XjGbMqhN2FQ

Kennebec River, July 10 2009 featuring Panama Red:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hm5jGx-AEf0

Whitecap Mountain, July 14 2009:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qxbN6htlPGo

100 Mile Wilderness, July 15 2009:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i82zuhcp6fE

Katahdin Stream Campground, July 16 2009:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1olzJBAE4Zg

Millinocket Bike Parade, July 17 2009:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yoVDq5UpFhw

KATAHDIN! July 18 2009:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BSZaEm4jv5o

I forgot how awesome my beard looked back then. Those were the days. Nowadays I am spending lots of time reading and observing a high school biology classroom. I am currently working on my Master of Education at the University of Rochester and will hopefully be working as a high school biology or chemistry teacher next fall. Its going really well, but there isn't a day that passes without me thinking back to my time on the trail. It really was an amazing experience.
As always, feel free to email me if you have any questions about the Appalachian Trail. I love talking about it. Thanks for following my blog. Happy Trails!

Gear Review Videos

So I finally got around to editing and posting my gear review videos to Youtube. They turned into 10 different episodes... guess I'm a bit of a talker when it comes to gear. The links to each part are posted below. Feel free to post comments or email me if you want to discuss anything. Happy 4th of July to all!

The series contains 10 segments:
1. Backpacks - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HY4f5NzC2fo
2. Tents - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lH4cIOqHsBA
3. Sleep Gear - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=051lgHtZX-U
4. Boots - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uusKFXAmXqM
5. Clothing - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rqU25zQyz68
6. Kitchen & Water - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zAFpWPioaxQ
7. Other Gear - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-DiNxvCxqZ4
8. Stuff you don't need - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Ir1nYquBYk
9. Dog Gear - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bs1nRAtfL7Q
10. Last minute tips - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fLdZ_CSa93A

Exciting Developments

It's been a while since I last posted anything, so I thought I would update the world on what is new in my life. I just got into grad school at the University of Rochester for my Masters of Education in Adolescent Biology and Chemistry. I am really excited to be in the program, and classes already started this past week! It is a 15 month program, which means that I should be done by the end of next summer (and theoretically employed soon after!). As part of my coursework, I have to write a weekly blog where I reflect on what I have learned and how I am progressing as a future educator. Thus, if you enjoyed my trail blog writing and would like to follow along this year, you are invited! Here is a link to my new blog. I will be updating this weekly at the very least (partly because my grade depends on it) and I am looking forward to getting back into the blogging routine.

The second piece of big news is that Rachel and I got engaged last weekend. Go us! Having just begun my Masters program and with Rachel in the midst of med school, we don't anticipate getting married until summer 2012.

As always, if you ever have any questions about the AT or hiking in general, feel free to email me. I love thinking back to my time on the trail. I have done a follow-up video review of all my gear that I wanted to edit, but seeing as my free time has recently evaporated I may have to post it unedited. I will add links here when it goes live. Happy trails!

Picture slideshow

I finally organized my pictures and created a slideshow. It is posted to Youtube in three parts. Here are the links:

Slideshow Part 1

Slideshow Part 2

Slideshow Part 3

I will also be posting a video in the near future that talks about what I ended up carrying on my hike. I shot a video as I was packing my bag the night before hitting the trail, and a lot of people have emailed me asking what things I liked, didn't like, sent home, etc. Hopefully I will film this in the next couple weeks and post it online. Thanks to everyone who was a part of my journey. Enjoy the pictures!

One year later...

So it has been a full year since I started hiking the Appalachian Trail. I find myself thinking back to my experience everyday, thinking about where I was, who I was with, and what obstacles (both physical and mental) I was dealing with at the time. I guess I really do have a case of "Springer Fever." Although the final numbers have yet to be reported, the ATC website is showing that 343 of the 1425 Northbounders finished (~24%). I feel blessed that I was able to succeed and at the same time share my experience with so many people. Thank you all again for your support last year.