Not So Casual Hikes

Field notes on human capacity, written from the trail.

Why the hardest part is never the miles.

The Issues

It Is Already Decided

Trail Culture

+1

It Is Already Decided

Thirty people showed up to suffer willingly. Somewhere along the way, that became normal.

Altitude Series: Big Horn × Ontario Peak, 8,696 ft, Benchmark 3 (Originally Benchmark 2)

Altitude Series · Training Log

Altitude Series: Big Horn × Ontario Peak, 8,696 ft, Benchmark 3 (Originally Benchmark 2)

April 25, 2026, Angeles National Forest, San Gabriel Mountains

Altitude Series: Mount Baden-Powell, 9,407 ft, Benchmark 2 (Route Substitution)

Altitude Series · Training Log

Altitude Series: Mount Baden-Powell, 9,407 ft, Benchmark 2 (Route Substitution)

April 18, 2026, 6:39 AM, Angeles National Forest, San Gabriel Mountains

The Numbers Were Fine. The Numbers Were Not Fine.

Trail Physiology

The Numbers Were Fine. The Numbers Were Not Fine.

The Whiting Ranch Audit: Reconciling the headline against the study.

What Happens at the Threshold

Trail Psychology

What Happens at the Threshold

The moment where stopping makes sense. And the version of you that keeps going anyway.

Altitude Series: Cucamonga Peak · 8,862 ft · Benchmark 1

Altitude Series · Training Log

Altitude Series: Cucamonga Peak · 8,862 ft · Benchmark 1

March 28, 2026 · 6:33 AM · Cucamonga Wilderness, San Gabriel Mountains