Welcome my friends, to my weirdly named blog, The Footslog Blog! It sounds a little gross, maybe a little uncomfortable, but don’t worry, all it means is a long trudge or walk (according to Google web search results); and that’s exactly what  my kind of fun- hiking- is all about; and I have no doubt that if you’re here, it’s probably yours or about to be yours, too! 

I should note before you dive in that this blog is not in any way, shape or form connected to nor sponsored by the gear company ‘Footsloggers Outdoor & Travel Outfitters.’ We just happen to have the same sense of humor it appears. 

I love the word “Footslog” because  for me it invokes a sense of getting down and dirty outside, and it sounds kind of playful (when you’re not applying it to a  military context). It goes along with the idea of type-two fun, and if you’re like me, you find value in enduring uncomfortable elements and embracing soggy-footsloggy socks and scrambling up mountainsides like a little goat; only to grab a nice micro brew at the end of the day to reclaim those lost calories. 

So, why should you be here?

Well that one is quite simple, I am not a pro hiker, just a nature lover. I go out as much as I can, and I want to attempt some more technical trails in the future, but as of right now my adventures are not very extreme. I just seek value in the natural world, wherever I can get it. So that means pretty much anyone can relate to this blog, and everyone is welcome here; from beginner to extreme mountaineer. 

Maybe you’ve been contemplating getting into the hobby but haven’t taken that leap just yet. Or maybe you’re a naturalist who is looking to join a community of green appreciation. Because that’s what it’s all about right?  Having fun in the wilderness and appreciating the beautiful gifts of Mother Nature? I think so. Either way, there’s something for you here, and I can’t tell you how excited I am to share with you my personal narratives!

Why am I here?

I want to give you my take on my adventures.

I love to write, that much is probably clear, and another obvious- I love to hike. So I thought maybe I could combine my two passions and showcase some of the beautiful spots I’ve been so fortunate to go to. Basically this is my ‘fan-page’ for the natural world around me, both in and out of Colorado, but mostly Colorado. 

So often on Instagram and Pinterest I see outstanding views and trips from remote locations that I sadly don’t think I am likely to visit, and I catch myself saying, “Ug if only I lived over there then I could see something cool.”

But that is so not the case! While it may not be like the epic Fjords of Norway, nor the impressive Matterhorn in Switzerland, Colorado has some beautifully shaped spots of its own; some breathtaking mountain tops and mystical forests that are worth every foot of elevation gain; as well as some dark caves and steep canyons that are worth the dizzying descent. Furthermore, at the same time I’ve found relief and peace at a local park beside a creek in the bushes, and I’ve discovered self reliance just running down the sidewalk next to some impressively tall Cottonwoods. The point is, there are extraordinary things to be found outside everywhere you go, you just have to be willing to look for them.

What does the Footslog Blog aim to talk about?

Everything! And boy do I mean everything. I have a lot of opinions (clearly), and I have testimonials and recommendations on gear, trails, minimalism in the wilderness, diet, fitness, conservation; and I love to start conversations about the more expressive and imaginative side of nature through writing and also cheering on those who are gifted enough to draw it (ha-ha). Essentially the blog will flow back and forth between the lines of technical and creative topics, as this is how I view my hikes themselves. 

I want to write about some of the big and small things from my hiking that have added joy to my life, in the hopes that it might be found useful to someone else. I want to show how I approach nature personally, and I’d like to connect with others in the hiking community as well as encourage the people who are tentative about getting out there to make that decision to invite adventure into their life, just like I did. 

So enjoy, my friends, and welcome!