Hiking With The Bear

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 ...

  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 ...

  Why Do I Want to Climb Kilimanjaro? Eight years ago, I started hiking. Since then, I’ve camped, backpacked, and constantly searched for bigger challenges. My journey has taken me to rugged trails, demanding treks, and remote wilderness. And now, I’m training for my biggest adventure yet—climbing Mount Kilimanjaro. As a person of size and color, I’ve often been met with looks of doubt. People sometimes see me on the trail or in outdoor spaces and assume I don’t belong. That doesn’t bother me. I’ve been looked at my whole life. I’m usually the biggest person in the room, and I’m okay with that. Because every step I take, every summit I reach, proves one thing—I do belong. So why Kilimanjaro? Honestly, until the summer of 2024, climbing that mountain had never crossed my mind. But then, I started researching. I saw images of its towering peak, read about its history, and something inside me clicked. That mountain called to me. For years, I’ve been fascinated by Mount Everest—not as ...

January 15, 2024 Today marks 157 days until I embark on the journey of a lifetime. I’ll be leaving the United States and heading to Tanzania, Africa, to climb Mount Kilimanjaro. I just purchased my flight to and from Tanzania, making this dream feel more real than ever. As of now, I have 136 days left to train for the climb, and I’m feeling a mix of excitement and nerves. This trip feels like a step into the unknown. I’ve done my research and know what I should do to prepare, but the reality of being there—facing the mountain and all its challenges—feels like uncharted territory. Training on the East Coast hasn’t been easy. Preparing for Kilimanjaro’s high elevations is a challenge in itself, and the snowy, frigid temperatures we’ve had recently have forced many trails and parks to close. Still, hiking in the snow has its own way of challenging you—both mentally and physically. The cold, uneven terrain, and extra effort required to navigate snowy trails push me to dig deeper, which I ...

December 28th and 29th 2024 As 2024 drew to a close, I knew I had to squeeze in one final adventure before the year ended. Originally, I had planned a simple 3-mile out-and-back to Little Crease in the George Washington and Jefferson National Forest. But with a late start and a longer-than-expected drive (it was already past noon), I made the decision to head to Shenandoah National Park—a place I know well and love. I opted for the Jeremy’s Run Trail starting at the Elkwallow Wayside Trailhead. What was supposed to be a straightforward hike turned into one of the most memorable trips of the year. An Unexpected Adventure: What began as a short, easy hike quickly became a challenging 11-mile journey. The Jeremy’s Run Trail took me through dense woods, past waterfalls, and across 13 stream crossings. Each stream crossing was different: some required navigating slippery rocks, others had me wading through the cool, fast-moving waters. Both days of hiking were 5.5 miles each,...

  Welcome back to the blog! It’s been six years since my last post, and I’m excited to reconnect and share my journey with you. Right now, I’m just one week into my training regimen for an adventure I’ve been dreaming about: climbing Mount Kilimanjaro next June. This past week has been both exhilarating and challenging. I hiked three trails, covering a total of 17 miles. One of these hikes took me up the George Washington Monument trail, where I gained over 1000 feet of elevation. I also added a yoga session to my routine. It’s interesting to see how yoga will benefit me, helping with flexibility and overall body strength. In future posts, I’ll delve into the last six years—what’s happened, what I’ve learned, and how I got to this point. For now, I’m focused on the climb ahead and excited to take you along on this journey. Stay tuned for more updates as I prepare for Kilimanjaro!

First, I would like to say Good Morning and Welcome! This is my first blog and I’m going to be as honest as possible. I’m 40 years old. I’ve been battling with my weight for most of my life. I maintained a weight of 220lbs throughout high school. After high school, my weight started to increase. By 21, I was 300lbs and diagnosed with high blood pressure. In 2001, I was diagnosed with cellulitis in my right leg and in 2008, it happened in my left leg. You would think by now I would have been ready to do the right thing. By age 32, I was knocking on 400lbs’ door. The doctors kept telling me I need to lose weight or I won’t see 35. I tried every weight loss plan there is – Jenny Craig, Atkins Diet, South Beach Diet, Slim Fast and even Fucking Trim Spa…lol. They all worked but the effect was temporary. My mind wasn’t ready. In 2008, my doctor suggested that I think about bariatric surgery. I said let’s do it. I was more than qualified for it. All I had to do was unde...