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.

Saturday, April 7, 2018

The BDT: I Wanna Quit!


This is an unhappy Wolverine 


I wanna quit. I’m done with this stupid trail. It was not meant to be hiked - it was meant to be ridden on a sturdy mountain bike. 

I’m broiling in the hot sun. I have precious little water to drink but it’s as hot as I am and it smells like gasoline (I knew that last water tank seemed funky but I had no choice). 

I’m out of cannister fuel. My headphones are shot. My shoes are wearing out. My back is killing me. And the cart... OMG do I hate pushing this cart! 

Next town I get to, I’m taking a bus to San Diego and flying home. I’ve had enough. 

Just then, a Jeep pulled up out of nowhere. Guy says, “Hey, man! How’s it going? Wanna cold beer?”

Hmmm... Maybe I’ll keep going for a little bit longer. 

It’s funny how a stranger with a smile can break you out of a funk and get you back on track (Thanks to Fernando and his friends for the beer and the company. They are true Trail Angels.).

As long as I’m gonna keep at it, I might as well post some more pics from the trail!


My hat is literally caked with all the salt and electrolytes that my sweat contains. 


Fishermen returning with the morning’s catch. 



How do you know?!



Hmmm.... Doubt it. 


Camay and Alexandro from the Rancho Piedra Blanca. Two of the kindest people I’ve met on this trail. 



Obligatory sunset pic.

I could use a little encouragement so please leave a comment for me!


56 comments:

Unknown said...

Hey man!
You got me in a scare for a minute there. I hope you do manage to find some fun (of the 2nd type) in your hike, and carry on. But still remember you are doing it for fun, so don't do it for anything and anyone else.

Enjoy your well earned beers, take a moment to think about it all, and don't make any hasty decisions. And enjoy the sunsets.

Unknown said...

Hi Chris, I understand this is a hard trail, and I don't believe anyone would condemn you if you left the trail...I know I sure would not, I am very proud of you and support you in whatever you are going to do...I miss you and take care of yourself...

Chris Hillier said...

Good advice, Noam. Thank you so much. I’m gonna take a zero day here in Vizcaino. I’ll rest and resupply, then get back to it! “Hi!” to Orna and Cupcake!

Chris Hillier said...

Thanks, Lynda. I’m feeling better now. I hit a point like that on almost every hike. Thank you for the encouraging words!

Anonymous said...

Hope this is as bad as it gets. Ave trail angels. Seems they appear when most needed.The need to give in, give up and go home is momentary. Take good, good care of yourself from Mavis.

Chris Hillier said...

Thanks, Mavis. You and Martha have heard me complain about the trail a million times before. It always gets better. Those Trail Angels really saves the day.

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Chris Hillier said...

Thank you, Roberta. Your faith is important to me. I won’t quit! And Anish just left an encouraging comment on my FB page.

Unknown said...

Don't you dare quit. I have faith in you. Would Anish quit??? I am always with you.

Unknown said...

I have been following Anish's adventure as well... you both rock...

Louise said...

You got this Chris!! Xena strong! We're thinking you and sending lots of positive thoughts your way!

Unknown said...

Remember - Hiking is what you do - your chosen field of endeavor. Everyone has a talent this is yours. You do not quit when the going gets tough - you just keep on going... One ragged worn out shoe in front of the other. Remember you are our inspiration. Keep Smiling Wolverine..... There is BEER at the end of the trail.

Anonymous said...

Chris, Don’t Quit. It will Bug You the rest of Your Life.

Anonymous said...

You got this Chris! And if you decide, nah, I've had enough... Well then, we got ya! You are respected and loved by this community. I believe you'll keep running into good people just when you need them most... God's funny like that! Love seeing your pics. Have fun, Suzette

Richard Smith said...

Chris, take a bunch of zero days. Get stronger. There is no race committee waiting on you to finish. You are a continuing inspiration to all of us.

Unknown said...

Quit?! No way! Remember how great that gasoline water and hot sun will feel when you're back to "regular life". These moments in life are the absolute best! The ones that push you to the end, and you think you're done, but then you rise above it and realize just how great life is. Keep going! Need any supplies?

Anonymous said...

Chris, whatever you decide will be okay, you are being a realistic.

Chris Hillier said...

Thanks for the encouragement, Z. We pushed on through all those cold mornings crossing the Gila River, I can push on here.

Thanks for the offer of supplies but the mail system is lacking (absent?) here on the Baja.

Chris Hillier said...

Thanks, Louise! I think of her often and the struggles she had. I will persevere! Say ‘Hi!’ to Graham for me!

Chris Hillier said...

Good advice, thanks, Becky! BTW, is it Flying Mouse beer? ;-)

Chris Hillier said...

Solid advice. Thank you.

Chris Hillier said...

Thank you, Suzette!

Chris Hillier said...

I’m gonna take a zero here in Vizcaino and re-group.

Problem Bear said...

Keep up the good work Wolverine! It sounds like you are meeting interesting people and having new experiences. That's about as good as it gets.

lilfroggiebrown7 said...

Hi Chris!!! YOU got this my hiker guy!!! Love the pics!!! Love, respect, prayers, and (((HUGS)))!!! Darlene

Jeff McWilliams said...

Sounds brutal. No matter what happens, you're a hiking badass. Hope you manage to find the joy of hiking there again soon.

Chris Hillier said...

Thanks, Sac Town Dave (that’s what I used to call you!). I appreciate the encouragement.

Chris Hillier said...

I miss you, Dar Dar! Thank you for the kind words.

Chris Hillier said...

Thanks, Jeff. If not for you, I’d still be frozen to the ground on the AT in 2015. That air mattress saved my life! I’m feeling better and I’m gonna push on.

Unknown said...

A wolverine give up? I don't think so. One foot on front of the other.

Chris Hillier said...

Thanks, Jim. Ima keep pushin!

Traci said...

You can do this! If it were easy, everyone would do it! I certainly 'hit the wall' in marathon running. This is to be expected? Right? But as someone pointed out, there is no clock! You only have yourself to beat! You are an inspiration! Traci

Pat said...

Lotsa love and positive vibes from your big sis.

Chris Hillier said...

Thanks, Traci. I sure wish you and Katie could bring me a ton of food and new clothes like you did on the PCT! I’m gonna keep going.

Chris Hillier said...

Thanks, Pat! Love you lots!

Pile driver said...

It seems like you are in a rough spit but youll make it into the good stuff again! Keep it up and make it there! You got this! -alison-pile driver-

Chris Hillier said...

Thank you for the encouragement!

Unknown said...

Keep your head up! You got this.... hugs

Anonymous said...

Hi Chris, this is Steve with the white Jeep from Fernando's group who met you on the trail. Reading your post was initially depressing until you mentioned meeting us and decided to continue to push on. We are so glad we had a positive influence. Best of luck in your decision, but we were very impressed with your progress thus far! If it helps, I would suggest if you are physically able, and can work through the mental challenges, continue on!
Steve

Fernando N. said...

GO CHRIS GO! I wich I could be out there right now to offer you another beer, it was great to meet you. Your courage is truly inspirational!

Candice Stacy said...

Glad you have decided to keep pushing through. You are a beast!

Unknown said...

Chris you're such an inspiration to me. The adventures you go on and trails you choose are so different from anyone else I know. The going may be tough, but you're tough and these challenges give you knowledge and wisdom that is difficult to obtain any other way. I hope you're able to keep it up and finish this SOB of a trail.

Chris Hillier said...

Thanks, Nina!

Chris Hillier said...

Steve! You guys really lifted my spirits that day! I hadn’t seen a vehicle all day until you guys came along. Thank you so much!

Chris Hillier said...

Fernando! I was pretty down that day (as you read above) until you guys came along. You are true Trail Angels! Thank you for inspiring me to keep going!

Chris Hillier said...

Hey, Candice! This was a tough stretch, for sure, but I’m feeling much better and ready to push on. Thanks for leaving a comment!

Chris Hillier said...

Thanks, Sean. Coming from you, it means a lot. I appreciate your kind words and I will keep going!

Unknown said...

You made it this far, why give up now.
And for the record an Alpacka could of carried beer also, probably not much for conversation though.

Chris Hillier said...

Hey, Tom! You make a good point. I’m halfway through this crazy hike, might as well keep going. Thanks for leaving a comment!

Beaker said...

Wolverine, Your opening remarks had me in tears. Glad I read the rest of your post. Hang in there, take a rest, reflect, meditate, know that God loves you. THEN, giv 'er 'ell!

You can and will do this. But, if you have to take a break, so be it. May you be blessed in all you do my friend.

Misty Jacobs Photography said...

Hang in there, you can do it!

Chris Hillier said...

Hey, Beaker! Thank you for the words of encouragement. At that point in my hike, I felt like I did when we were just south of Chama, NM and couldn’t find the trail. Remember that? Very frustrating.

Things are much better now. Ima keep pushing on!

Hi Drangonfly!

Chris Hillier said...

Thanks, Misty!

trish2017 said...

Tomorrow is a new day and a different mood. Don't quit. You would always live to regret it. You can get through it. Everyone hits the wall. Persevere and stay in prayer. We love You.

Chris Hillier said...

Thanks for the encouragement, Trish! Things got much better after that stretch. Thanks for leaving a comment!