audio narrative

Audio Narrative and “Visual-Audio” essays document impressions for an immersive experience, almost like a conversation. Consequently, the listener becomes a participant in the act of discovery, the decision-making and the myriad emotions activated by long distance walking.

peeps of the PCT: John, general store owner

December 15, 2020 2 comments

The owner of Laguna Mountain Lodge & Store gives us good rules to live by: lighten up and be nice.

audio narrative: Walk in the Time of Coronavirus

December 7, 2020 16 comments

As we enter a new phase of the pandemic – and Blissful recovers – let’s look back to the beginning.

Bonita is the friendly innkeeper at the Silver Pines, a very accommodating hotel for backpackers.

peeps of the PCT: Benita, Idyllwild Innkeeper

November 23, 2020 0 comments

Historic Silver Pines Lodge has seen its share of “Hiker Trash,” but the innkeeper says it’s enriching.

Bob is the caretaker at one of the oddest places along the PCT.

peeps of the PCT: Bob, Hiker Town

October 18, 2020 2 comments

It’s a long 18-mile stretch in desert to Hiker Town, one of the oddest places I slept along the PCT.

peeps of the PCT: Casey, Sonora Pass Resupply

August 25, 2020 0 comments

Casey Cox started his company after waiting, cold and hungry, his thumb out for a ride that never came.

I didn't always find soulful campsites on the Te Araroa.

TA audio narrative: hitting a wall

July 27, 2020 11 comments

We suffer thru-hiking for the transcendent, and appreciate it more because of our suffering.

peeps of the PCT: Joshua, fire manager

July 20, 2020 4 comments

I met Joshua on Flat Iron Ridge in Lassen National Park building a fire break with hand tools.

Judy met a guy with a much lighter tent while hiking the Appalachian Trail and it was not a "coffin" but rather, a palace. That just pissed her off, so she went designed her own ultralight palace.

peeps of the PCT: Heart Fire, tent maker

May 26, 2020 5 comments

The need for a lighter tent that wasn’t a “coffin” led Judy Gross to design and make her own.

Melinda and Henry planned to hike the PCT from south to north, but came across deep snow and dangerous river crossings in the Sierra, so flipped up north to Washington and headed south to meet the spot where they left off.

peeps of the PCT: ‘flippers’

May 13, 2020 2 comments

It takes courage to change directions mid-stream.

peeps of the PCT: Milk Jug

May 6, 2020 4 comments

He was the youngest solo thru-hiker on the PCT, but still couldn’t finish the pancakes.