Conquering the White Oak Canyon to Cedar Run Loop: A Battle Against the Trail

This past weekend, I led five other hikers on the White Oak Canyon to Cedar Run Loop, a challenging circuit in Shenandoah National Park. We started at the lower portion of White Oak Canyon, immediately gaining 2,500 feet of elevation as we powered our way up the trail. The climb was relentless, but the cascading waterfalls and crisp mountain air made every step worth it.

Once we reached the Cedar Run side, we quickly realized the trail conditions had taken a hit. What should have been a straightforward descent turned into an unexpected obstacle course. Fallen trees likely remnants of Hurricane Heleneas impact in late 2024 littered the path. At first, we navigated the debris with relative ease, but about half a mile to a mile into the valley, things got rough. Just before our first water crossing, the damage was undeniable.

Every step down required careful maneuvering over, under, and around fallen trees. The simple downhill return transformed into a test of endurance, agility, and patience. By the time we finally made it back, we were bruised and beaten but not broken.

Despite the challenges, our spirits remained high. There’s something about pushing through adversity with a group that makes the experience unforgettable. We didn’t just complete the hike, we conquered it.

Would I do it again? Absolutely. But maybe after the trail gets a little TLC.

As a member of the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club, I’m taking action. I plan to reach out to leadership to see if I can join or lead a volunteer team to help clear the trail. White Oak Canyon to Cedar Run is a gem, and I want to ensure it remains safe and accessible for everyone who wants to experience its beauty. Stay tuned I’ll share updates on how this effort unfolds!

55 Days until Kilimanjaro

 

55 Days Until Kilimanjaro: Setbacks, Second Opinions & Staying the Course

Today marks 55 days before I set foot on Mount Kilimanjaro. I’d love to say training has been going perfectly—but truthfully, it hasn’t gone quite as planned.

Over the past two weeks, I’ve only managed to get out for two hikes. Part of that was due to an ingrown toenail that sent me to a podiatrist. I went in expecting a quick fix and left with a laundry list of things “wrong” with my feet—including a flat foot diagnosis and something that hit me hard: “arthritis in your toes.”

That news shook me. For a moment, I began to question everything I had been working toward.

But something didn’t sit right with me, so I got a second opinion—and I’m glad I did. Turns out, I don’t have arthritis. My feet are somewhat flat, but not in a way that would stop me from hiking or living the active outdoor life I love.

This reminder—that not all expert opinions are final and that I know my body—lit a new fire in me.

So here I am, 55 days out. Not where I wanted to be, but still on the path. Still standing. Still climbing.

In the next 50 days, I plan to push harder. To return to regular training, get back on the horse I nearly fell off of, and lean into the mindset that got me here in the first place. The mountain isn’t going anywhere—but neither am I.

Kilimanjaro is waiting, and I’m coming.

If there’s one thing this journey keeps teaching me, it’s that setbacks aren’t endings—they’re reminders to recalibrate and recommit. So here’s to the next stretch of training, to stronger steps, and to choosing belief over doubt. One step at a time.