Left my job of ~13 years at Apple yesterday to take a step into the unknown. I'll Backpack 1,000 miles in 2026 including 2 thru-hikes (BMT, JMT), hoping the trail unlocks what's next for me in life. Thanks to @Camp4 for the push. Get busy living or get busy dying..

I’ll be in Jacksonville Beach for the next 3 weeks doing a mini training camp. Anyone local - DM or reply if you want to get in a Lift, Run, or Beach Ruck.

01/31- 86 days until my first thru-hike of 2026 (300 miles in TN/GA) Lots of adversity this week - Ice storms, power outages, had a minor cold. Solid week of training in the books all things considered.. ✅ 2x Strength Sessions ✅ 4.5 hours zone 2 ✅ 1x Weighted Pack Session

01/29- 87 days until my first thru-hike of 2026 (300 miles in TN/GA) ✅ 1,000 Step Ups w/ 30lb @GORUCK (Zone 2 - 130bpm) ✅ 40 Min Zone 2 Bike (120bpm) Longer session today - Really focusing on the aerobic engine. Using @PolarGlobal to track HR w/ AppleWatch Ultra.

Logistics shouldn’t be the reason you never take your first backpacking trip. A few hours of planning and a couple phone calls is enough to build a safe, workable plan for a long trip in the woods. See you in the backcountry!

Last thought: flexibility is everything. No trip goes exactly to plan. Carry a little extra food. Start with more water than you think you need. Always be thinking one step ahead: next meal, next water, next campsite.

Water is the simplest. In non-dry seasons, you’ll cross water often on these trails. FarOut shows every source. Still - check ahead and don’t assume. I learned that lesson the hard way on the BMT (20+ miles without water).

And what about food? This is the most complex part of the BMT. My approach: - Find ~5 resupply points - Use Mail drops + road crossings - Mail food ahead - Meet support at roads (girlfriend, friends, shuttle drivers) Remote trails = mistakes compound fast.

But what about parking? This part is a bit more complicated. My approach: - Find shuttle drivers on FarOut - Find hostels that allow parking - Call both, lock dates For the BMT, I’ll: - Park at Standing Bear Hostel - Shuttle ~4 hours to Springer Mountain - Hike back to my car

Let’s start with maps, navigation, and trail intel. The @faroutguides app is non-negotiable. I use it to: - Plan my route and daily mileage - Find hostels & contact shuttle drivers - Locate water & campsites This is the backbone of logistics on a remote trail like the BMT.

Logistics matter more than fitness on long trails. Bad planning compounds fast. The trail itself also makes a huge difference. The AT is incredibly hiker-friendly: - Shelters every ~5 miles - Trail towns every few days - A massive support network The BMT is far more remote.

The #1 thing non-hikers ask me about long backpacking trips isn’t fitness.. It’s logistics. Food? Water? Navigation? In 88 days, I start a 300-mile thru-hike on the Benton MacKaye Trail. Here’s how I’m planning it 👇

Jack straw from Wichita. Cut his buddy down.

Carrying @nobsroutines toothpaste tablets on my 300 mile thru-hike of the BMT in April. Absolute game changer for backpackers and outdoor athletes. Just make sure you count your days correctly before you go, IYKYK 😂

I think about this a lot - having as high of standards as possible in every part of life. The issue is, just thinking about it is fleeting and temporary. The only way to do it is to constantly show up, in everything (and yes, way harder than it sounds). Constant progress..

01/27 - 89 days until my first thru-hike of 2026 (300 miles in TN/GA) ✅ 60 Min Zone 2 Bike (126bpm) Last few days have been defined by: - Ice Storms - Power Outages - A minor Cold It’s a “Survive & Advance” type week. Back on the saddle!

https://t.co/nkE2UUe3Du

Last Thursday I loaded up a 40lb pack for a 10 mile training hike. A few hours in, I almost took an alternate route that would've been a disaster. Storm approaching. Black ice. Fading light. New post on making decisions under fatigue in the backcountry.. Link in 🧵

Last 48 hours were rough - ice storm, no power, single digit temps, fighting a cold. Feeling optimistic I’ll be back tomorrow. For now, the only job is recovery with 8+ hours of sleep and lot’s of water. Any go to cheat-codes for a reset when under the weather and snowed in??

Something tells me I may not be hiking any this week..

https://t.co/rwiSjJCsnk