Wolverine Hikes

People who know me know that I belong on the Trail. I've thru-hiked the Appalachian Trail (three times, now),the Pacific Crest Trail and the mighty Continental Divide Trail. I've hiked many of the long trails here in Michigan including being the first to hike both the Ironwood Trail and the Great Lake To Lake Trail. In 2017, I hiked the Israel National Trail and the Golan Heights Trail. I was the first to hike the Baja Divide Trail in Mexico but failed miserably to thru-hike the Bruce Trail in Canada. In 2019, I hiked the TEMBR in Ecuador and 1,150 miles of the North Country Trail as it runs through my home state of Michigan.

The purpose of this blog is to keep anyone who is interested informed of my progress and to encourage those who are able to support me in these endeavors.

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.

91 comments:

livinlikeliz said...

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

Unknown said...

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

Tammy Krembs said...

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

Unknown said...

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

Bob Klann - The Outdoor Soul said...

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.

Anonymous said...

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

Unknown said...

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

Unknown said...

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

Tracy Patton said...

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

Jeff McWilliams said...

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

Anish said...

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

Jennifer Tislerics said...

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

Unknown said...

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

Trailspotters of Michigan said...

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

Unknown said...

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

Erin Wired Saver said...

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

Unknown said...

Looking forward to following your adventure!

Louise said...

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

Marlyss said...

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

Martha said...

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

Martha said...

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

Anonymous said...

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

Marci Burke said...

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

Eric said...

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

Unknown said...

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.

Unknown said...
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Unknown said...

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

Chris Hillier said...

Thanks, BlogginDaddy!

Chris Hillier said...

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.

Chris Hillier said...

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

Chris Hillier said...

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

Chris Hillier said...

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

Chris Hillier said...

Thank you!

Chris Hillier said...

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

Chris Hillier said...

Thank you!

Chris Hillier said...

Thanks for the comment, Tracy!

Chris Hillier said...

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

Unknown said...

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

Chris Hillier said...

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

Chris Hillier said...

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

Brian H. said...

CRUSH IT!!

Chris Hillier said...

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

Unknown said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Chris Hillier said...

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

Chris Hillier said...

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

Chris Hillier said...

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

Unknown said...

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!

Chris Hillier said...

Thanks, Jen!

Chris Hillier said...

Thank you, Louise!

Chris Hillier said...

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

Chris Hillier said...

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

Chris Hillier said...

Thanks, Marci. There ARE awesome!

Chris Hillier said...

Thanks, Eric!

Chris Hillier said...

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.

Chris Hillier said...

Thanks, Christina!

Unknown said...

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

Chris Hillier said...

Thanks for the comment, Jeff!

Chris Hillier said...

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

Chris Hillier said...

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

Chris Hillier said...

Thanks, Nick. I appreciate the kind words.

CzechXpress said...

Can't wait to follow you on another journey!

Unknown said...

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.

L-Rod said...

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

Traci said...

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!

Unknown said...

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

Chris Hillier said...

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

Chris Hillier said...

Thank you for the kind words. Hike on!

Chris Hillier said...

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

Chris Hillier said...

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

Chris Hillier said...

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

Pinecone Mama said...

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

Chris Hillier said...

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

Unknown said...

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

Unknown said...

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?

Chris Hillier said...

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

Chris Hillier said...

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

Unknown said...

Very cool, thanks for sharing

Unknown said...

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...❤

Unknown said...

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...

Anonymous said...

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

Chris Hillier said...

Thank you for all the kind words, Lynda!

Chris Hillier said...

I will, AK. Thanks for leaving a comment!

Chris Hillier said...

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

Unknown said...

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!

Unknown said...

Always got you... My inspiration

Chris Hillier said...

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

Anonymous said...

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

Chris Hillier said...

Thanks, Connie. All the best to you and Jerry!

Unknown said...

Good luck! Can’t wait to follow along!

Anonymous said...

congrats and best of luck on your hike!

trish2017 said...

With you in spirit..stay safe.