Tuesday, December 5, 2017

Moosejaw and Mexico

I am on cloud nine right now. I thought about holding off writing this post until the excitement subdued but I don't think it ever will.


I just left from Moosejaw Mountaineering's HQ in Madison Heights, Michigan.  My friends there are as excited for my upcoming hike of the Baja Divide Trail as I am. I have their full support for this endeavor and I am beside myself with the pride of partnering with a great Michigan company like Moosejaw.

My relationship with Moosejaw Mountaineering began in 2011 when I returned home from my first thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail. A friend of mine took me to the Birmingham, Michigan store and introduced me around. That night, I bought a Granite Gear pack and I met a ton of cool people. I was impressed that the staff there had actually used much of the gear they sold. The folks who work in the stores, at the warehouse and in the offices of their Madison Heights headquarters helped me plan for my thru-hike of the PCT in 2012 and every hike since then. They even turned me on to the Shore to Shore Trail.  Good people, all of them.

 I've worked with them on projects like this in the past and they have always come through for me when I needed them. Thank you, Moosejaw, for times like these:
Early on the PCT in 2012

In the Goat Rocks of Washington


Finishing my second time through the AT

Finishing the Israel National Trail

 Gotta give a shout-out to Underground Quilts. They are another great Michigan based company that I'm working with on a super light (22oz!) quilt to use on this hike. Really excited to see what they come up with.

 In the meantime, gotta stay focused on the goal: Being the first person to conquer the Baja Divide Trail on foot.
The Baja Divide Trail starts in San Diego and finishes in Cabo San Lucas
Got a comment or wanna wish me luck? Please leave a comment below.
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91 comments:

  1. livinlikelizDecember 5, 2017 at 11:56 AM

    I am looking forward to your next adventure! Thanks for blogging about it!

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  2. UnknownDecember 5, 2017 at 12:01 PM

    Chris, you are definitely an inspiring, amazing, determined hiker. A joy to follow your adventures.

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    1. Chris HillierDecember 5, 2017 at 5:20 PM

      Thanks, Becky. You and Jerry are two of the kindest people I know. You were kind to a stranger when he needed help. Thank you for that.

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  3. Tammy KrembsDecember 5, 2017 at 12:03 PM

    Happy Hiking Chris. I look forward to hearing you speak someday.

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    1. Chris HillierDecember 5, 2017 at 5:21 PM

      Thanks, Tammy. When I get back from this hike, I’ll start doing talks again. You are aways invited.

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  4. UnknownDecember 5, 2017 at 12:05 PM

    Can't wait to read about this! Sounds like an awesome adventure

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    1. Chris HillierDecember 5, 2017 at 5:23 PM

      Thanks, Sean. Having worked at Moosejaw, you know what an awesome company it is.

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  5. Bob Klann - The Outdoor SoulDecember 5, 2017 at 12:18 PM

    That's awesome hearing about your great experiences with Moosejaw, a local business to me as I live right up the road in Clawson. I can't wait to read about your hike when you return.

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    1. Chris HillierDecember 5, 2017 at 5:25 PM

      Thanks, Bob. They have about 6 (I think) stores in Michigan and offices in Madison Heights (right next to you!).

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  6. AnonymousDecember 5, 2017 at 12:19 PM

    Great partnership with a great company. Moosejaw will be an excellent resource for you.

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  7. UnknownDecember 5, 2017 at 12:19 PM

    Wolverine, you represent Michigan well. Good luck with your treck and looking forward to hearing about it!

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    1. Chris HillierDecember 5, 2017 at 5:26 PM

      What a nice thing to say! And thank you for the well-wishes.

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  8. UnknownDecember 5, 2017 at 12:23 PM

    Good luck can't wait to hear about your adventure.

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  9. Tracy PattonDecember 5, 2017 at 12:29 PM

    Moosejaw IS pretty cool. Looking forward to hearing about this adventure! Good luck!

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  10. Jeff McWilliamsDecember 5, 2017 at 12:30 PM

    Will this be your first quilt? Been loving mine for almost 5 years. Good luck on your hike.

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    1. Chris HillierDecember 5, 2017 at 5:28 PM

      Hey, Jeff. Yes, this will be my first quilt. The weight advantage is huge. I’ll let you know how it goes.

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  11. AnishDecember 5, 2017 at 12:35 PM

    Best of Luck, Chris! I can't wait to follow along.

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    1. Chris HillierDecember 5, 2017 at 5:30 PM

      A comment from the best of the best humbles me. Thank you, Heather.

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  12. Jennifer TislericsDecember 5, 2017 at 12:55 PM

    Looking forward to following along as you add another "First" to your list! =) I'd enjoy living vicariously through you even if you were the 50,001st person to do it, though. LOL

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    1. Chris HillierDecember 5, 2017 at 5:31 PM

      Thanks, Jennifer. I’d love to hang out with the SOLAR crew when I get back and talk trail.

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  13. UnknownDecember 5, 2017 at 12:59 PM

    Good luck Chris! I'll be following your journey from The AT, I start my first thru hike Feb. 20th!😀

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    1. Chris HillierDecember 5, 2017 at 5:32 PM

      Nice! We’ll be ‘on trail’ at the same time! Looking forward to following you.

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  14. Trailspotters of MichiganDecember 5, 2017 at 12:59 PM

    That would be one heck of a trailspot. How you getting back? Raft?

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    1. Chris HillierDecember 5, 2017 at 5:36 PM

      Thanks for the comment, Tom. Not exactly sure how I’m getting home. Can Trailspotters pick me up in Cabo San Lucas? ;-)

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  15. UnknownDecember 5, 2017 at 1:28 PM

    Moose jaw provided me with a lot of solid advice about gear and what I should be looking for based on my trip.

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    1. Chris HillierDecember 5, 2017 at 5:37 PM

      Thanks for the comment, Judy. They do the same for me: excellent gear and advice.

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  16. Erin Wired SaverDecember 5, 2017 at 1:31 PM

    Moosejaw won't regret this choice! You're such a great ambassador for the trails and long distance hiking. Much deserved!!!

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    1. Chris HillierDecember 5, 2017 at 5:38 PM

      Thanks, Wired! Flattered that you left a comment. Your interview on the Routes podcast was amazing!

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  17. UnknownDecember 5, 2017 at 1:42 PM

    Looking forward to following your adventure!

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  18. LouiseDecember 5, 2017 at 2:27 PM

    Looking forward to reading about your next hike! Safe travels, Chris!

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  19. MarlyssDecember 5, 2017 at 2:40 PM

    Awesome! (Let me know if you ever need any web updates to reflect all this good news.)

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    1. Chris HillierDecember 5, 2017 at 5:40 PM

      Yes! Marlyss we should meet for a beer before I go and update the website. Thank you so much!

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  20. MarthaDecember 5, 2017 at 2:53 PM

    Yay! Moose jaw knows a good thing when they see it. You have always represented them well and they appreciate it.

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    1. Chris HillierDecember 5, 2017 at 5:42 PM

      Thanks, Martha. You are the founder of Camp Champaign and I wouldn’t have finished even one hike without your help. You are awesome.

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  21. MarthaDecember 5, 2017 at 2:53 PM

    Yay! Moose jaw knows a good thing when they see it. You have always represented them well and they appreciate it.

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  22. AnonymousDecember 5, 2017 at 3:33 PM

    Will be following your latest adventure! Thanks Moose jaw for supporting our friend!

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  23. Marci BurkeDecember 5, 2017 at 3:47 PM

    Sounds like an awesome hike backed by an amazing company! Godspeed.

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  24. EricDecember 5, 2017 at 4:39 PM

    Can't wait to see all the photos and read about your new adventure! Thanks Moosejaw for sponsoring you.

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  25. UnknownDecember 5, 2017 at 4:41 PM

    Chris I am so excited for you! You seem to be the first on a lot of trails. So happy about your be relationship with Moose jaw! What a great company to have on your side. They gave me a great deal on some gear I bought for you during your CDT hike. I can't agree more that they are more than employees, they're adventurers who really know their products.

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    1. Chris HillierDecember 5, 2017 at 5:47 PM

      Thanks, Jeff. I would not have finished the CDT without those boots! They have always been very good to me and they are really coming through for me on this hike. I appreciate you and all my friends on the MHB FB page.

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  26. UnknownDecember 5, 2017 at 5:13 PM

    This comment has been removed by the author.

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  27. UnknownDecember 5, 2017 at 5:14 PM

    I’m so excited for you and look forward to following along on your adventure!

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  28. UnknownDecember 5, 2017 at 5:29 PM

    Good Luck with the Adventure, Moosejaw Rawks!!!!

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  29. Brian H.December 5, 2017 at 5:32 PM

    CRUSH IT!!

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    1. Chris HillierDecember 5, 2017 at 5:49 PM

      Thanks, Bri! Looking forward to seeing you and Lisa on Christmas Eve.

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  30. UnknownDecember 5, 2017 at 5:36 PM

    This comment has been removed by the author.

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  31. UnknownDecember 5, 2017 at 5:38 PM

    I’m excited for you, Chris! Moosejaw is a great company and they know a great hiker partner when they see one! Looking forward to your Baja adventure!! You need to write a book, but I’ve said that before!

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    1. Chris HillierDecember 5, 2017 at 5:50 PM

      Thanks, Dianne. Maybe after this hike I’ll write something.

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  32. UnknownDecember 5, 2017 at 5:48 PM

    Great Michigan companies supporting a great Michigan backpacker on his next adventure. How great is that! Looking forward to hiking vicariously with you. ... Nick

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  33. CzechXpressDecember 5, 2017 at 5:56 PM

    Can't wait to follow you on another journey!

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    1. Chris HillierDecember 5, 2017 at 9:33 PM

      Thanks, CzechExpress! And thank you for helping me plan my thru of the CDT back in ‘14!

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  34. UnknownDecember 5, 2017 at 6:02 PM

    Chris, you've definitely inspired me to get out and experience nature on a regular basis. Hopefully one day I'll be able to meet up with youy to enjoy a hiking / backpacking trip with you. Sending positive vibes and good juju your way for your upcoming trip.

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  35. L-RodDecember 5, 2017 at 6:22 PM

    Sounds like a wonderful adventure -- have a fantastic time! I think there's a Moosejaw shirt in our loaner clothes at Hiker Heaven.

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    1. Chris HillierDecember 5, 2017 at 9:36 PM

      Thanks, Donna! And thank you for being such an amazing Trail Angel to all of us in the PCT Class of 2012!

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  36. TraciDecember 5, 2017 at 8:11 PM

    Hey Chris! You know I love Moosejaw and you know I live vicariously through you! The Mexican Baja Penninsula is an area I've long wanted to explore- I found a great kayak/camping/whale watching trip ther that's on my bucket list. Definitely keep me/us informed about your plans and schedule. And what you need! Get out there!

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    1. Chris HillierDecember 5, 2017 at 9:37 PM

      Thanks, Traci! You and Ron were Moosejaw fans way before I was! Thank you for all the help and support over the years.

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  37. UnknownDecember 5, 2017 at 9:30 PM

    I'm already excited about following along your next adventure. Have a great hike!

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    1. Chris HillierDecember 5, 2017 at 9:38 PM

      Thanks, Noam! You and Orna were so good to me in Israel. I appreciate all your help!

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  38. Pinecone MamaDecember 6, 2017 at 9:35 AM

    Way to go Wolverine!!! Excited to read trail updates.

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    1. Chris HillierDecember 6, 2017 at 11:07 AM

      Thank you, PCM! Hoping you and Nightmare can join me for, at least, part of this hike? Bring some water!

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  39. UnknownDecember 6, 2017 at 1:06 PM

    Live your dream. So excited for you.... Got all the support you need...can't wait to share this experience with and through you

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    1. Chris HillierDecember 6, 2017 at 4:08 PM

      Thanks, Roberta. If not for you, I’d still be out on the AT, lost and starving. Thank you!

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    2. UnknownDecember 9, 2017 at 6:49 AM

      Always got you... My inspiration

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  40. UnknownDecember 6, 2017 at 3:02 PM

    Chris . . . First, thank YOU for MHB! I've learned so much from this group and have been on some great adventures as a result! And many more to come. Good luck to you on your next challenge. When do you set foot?

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    1. Chris HillierDecember 6, 2017 at 4:09 PM

      Thank you for the kind words, Tamara. I’ll be leaving in mid-February, 2018.

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  41. UnknownDecember 6, 2017 at 4:35 PM

    Very cool, thanks for sharing

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  42. UnknownDecember 7, 2017 at 3:15 PM

    Chris you are an amazing person, I always love to follow your hikes that you take, you are an inspiration to many people out there...You are my number one hiker...looking forward to reading about your trip to Mexico...you go Wolverine...❤

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  43. UnknownDecember 8, 2017 at 6:31 AM

    I wish u the best of luck on your journey.. Can't wait to hear all about it... Hope u have a blast on the trail just be safe...

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  44. AnonymousDecember 8, 2017 at 8:04 AM

    Chris it's great to hear about your next adventure, keep us updated while ur having a blast!
    Lots of love from Israel,
    Noam

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    1. Chris HillierDecember 8, 2017 at 4:13 PM

      Thanks, Noam! Say ‘Hi!’ to Orna and Cupcake for me!

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  45. UnknownDecember 9, 2017 at 6:33 AM

    Hey Chris, Safe and Happy Trails! Looking forward to following your adventures. Moosejaw is a great store, we get stuff for our wildland firefighters there too. Yell if you need anything I’m in the Wild West now! There’s a trek in NZ we should chat about when you finish this one!

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    1. Chris HillierDecember 9, 2017 at 7:33 AM

      Thanks, Susan! And thanks for all the goodies you sent me on the AT in ‘15!

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  46. AnonymousDecember 9, 2017 at 9:45 AM

    I always look forward to your posts when you areceive hiking. Be safe and enjoy! Prayers for safety.

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  47. UnknownDecember 10, 2017 at 9:37 AM

    Good luck! Can’t wait to follow along!

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  48. AnonymousDecember 11, 2017 at 6:11 PM

    congrats and best of luck on your hike!

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  49. trish2017February 20, 2018 at 3:10 PM

    With you in spirit..stay safe.

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