This 16-day trek (including a spur up the Tsum Valley) circumnavigated around Mount Manaslu, the 8th highest peak in the world. Crossing Larke Pass (5,106m) was the literal and metaphorical high point of the trip.

Another Skurka classic. Spanning just under 100 miles, largely off trail along the Continental Divide. It took us two attempts to complete the main route crossing meadows, talus, and glaciers.

Traversing Utah's Uinta Range from McKee Draw to Hayden Pass, these 104 miles provided big views and plenty of solitude. In retrospect, it felt like Utah's version of the JMT and a hidden gem.

Spanning ~220 miles from Yosemite Valley to the top of Mt. Whitney, I checked off a big bucket list item to thru-hike this scenic tour of the Sierra Nevada with my dad. Heavy rain and wildfire made a memorable experience unforgettable.

A south-to-north-to-south yo-yo of the LCT, a ~25 mi one-way wilderness trail along the Pacific Ocean in northern California. Timing the tides and blisters from the sand were the biggest obstacles.

A 127-mile route through pristine High Sierra wilderness. Comparable to the Sierra High Route, the KCHBR is an Andrew Skurka creation that includes approximately 725 vertical feet gain/loss per mile, 18 named passes, and features over two-thirds off-trail travel.

The GPT is an unofficial network of trails, dirt roads, cross country routes, rivers, lakes, and fjords spanning 3,000 km from Santiago, Chile to El Chalten, Argentina. It is both a cultural and wilderness experience. Via foot and packraft, I completed Sections 16-40—my most demanding adventure to date.

With almost 50,000 feet of elevation change in 130 kilometers, this trek provided both beautiful and challenging hiking in the Andes. My Dad and I encountered archeological sights, quiet pueblitos, and high altitude passes. In retrospect, our walk from Choquequirao to Machu Picchu made for a memorable wilderness pilgrimage.

An immersion in the High Sierra. Spanning 195 miles from Road's End to Twin Lakes, Steve Roper's Sierra High Route featured primarily off-trail travel at elevations between 9,000 and 12,000 feet while climbing 31 passes through SEKI and Yosemite NP. This was my first foray into off-trail travel, route finding, and the joy that is endless talus.

Kia Ora! 1,860 miles across New Zealand's bush forest, beaches, pastures, and mountain ranges. Less established than the AT or PCT, Te Araroa provided both a mental and physical challenge. River crossings and unpredictable weather required flexibility and provided a real sense of adventure.

2,650 miles from Mexico to Canada, this trail covers deserts, mountains, pine forests, and volcanic remnants. Crossing 5 national monuments, 5 state parks, 6 national parks, 25 national forest units, and 48 federal wilderness areas, the PCT is a survey of California, Oregon, and Washington.

My first long hike. 2,185 miles in 4 months across the Appalachian Mountains. Through 8 national forests and 2 national parks, the AT was a steep learning curve in distance hiking and lightweight backpacking.