Good trail journals to read this year?

imported
#1

I’m finding myself at a desk job for the first time in a long time, and this being the anniversary of the start of my 2002 thru-hike, I’m in the mood to read a journal or two this year. Anyone notice any great writers out there so far?

She-ra

#2

She-ra, there is a trail journal so “good” that it puts forth a bitch slap as to how spectacularly humble the best blog in the universe could be. It makes grumpy people smile, it makes frigid people horny, and it makes everyone laugh until milk pours out of their nostrils, even if they’re lactose intolerant & were not drinking milk in the first place. This trail journal raises the bar, and while you are reaching for this higher bar, this trail journal tickles your armpits.

 You've heard of long distance hiking speed records?  Well have you heard of long distance hiking pun records?  I have not.  I will walk end-to-end on the Continental Divide Trail while backpacking, pondering (aloud and in prose) life's half-solved mysteries, and eating Snickers bars; all while still trying to review every Hollwood blockbuster on opening weekend.  I make no claims to being a great writer, but I once elbowed a great writer in the spleen while I was shoving past her in an AYCE buffet, and that insensitive jesture has to buy me a nickel's worth of street cred.

 Some kidding aside, read my journal for three reasons:
  1. You know me. I’m Space Monkey, Appalachian Trail Class of MMII.

  2. You also know Piper, and he’ll be along for the ride. Piper is the subtle straight man to my pull-no-punches comedy and blunt force antics. Plus, now that he’s married, I’m guessing our dialogues will be more sexually probing in nature…not so much graphic as thorough. But also, graphic.

  3. This journal will get into your head like a Ke$ha pop song and take your brain to places it’s only imagined during yoga sessions. Translation, I cannot spell for ****, and I could use some proof readers.

    All kidding aside, it’s good to hear from you. I’m very sorry to hear about your desk job.

-High Fivingly Yours,

kj

<www.trailjournals.com/kjjcdt>

Kevin Jacobs

#3

kj

#4

FLT… Any from 2008-2011… Lots of pics. Something different than the more popular trails. NY is a beautiful state

FLT

#5

It’s my ‘start anniversary’ as well (AT '96). Cheers!

If you don’t mind a previous year journal from a different trail, my all-time favorite is ‘Funnybone!’ (PCT '06). There’s a reason why his journal has over 650,000 hits!!!

I met him @ the PCT KO last year & he’s just as funny in person as he is in his journal.

Happy Desk Jockeying,
freebird

freebird

#6

Hey Space Monkey, I will take a look at your journal! I’m still holding on to CDT plans, but they keep getting pushed back while I try to figure out how to live between hikes. :slight_smile:

She-ra

#7

Do a web search for “Then the Hail Came”, it is an online book/journal from a 1983 through hike of the AT. Truly entertaining

KarlG

#8

If you like journals with lots of pictures check out NedtheFed’s journal from 2009. Once he got started he has several pictures in every journal entry.

Rick

#9

I assume that you’re no relation to Dr. Space Monkey from the class of 2004

jalan

#10

Not a trail journal, but this guy has a great web site and a wonderful string of youtube vids documenting his AT thru, look for kydixierebel in youtube.

jason

#11

Then The Hail Came is a great read. There is also a link in there for Gonzo’s journal - he thru hiked the same year, another good read.

Jack

#12

Try Whitewolf’s journal for detail and current information.

Phil