John Hartzell

Hello, all! I am a 64-year-old Pennsylvanian (he/him), retired from government legal services and the Coast Guard Reserve, who is excited to be pursuing a decades-old goal of thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail. I am fortunate to have a likeminded good friend who has the same aim. I look forward to documenting our double flip-flop jaunt!

Posts

Southbound through the Rollercoaster

Southbound through the Rollercoaster

Years ago in a different life I would regularly draft standardized reports on unusual events.  Known as “situation reports,” they were

Mar 6, 2025 : John Hartzell
Slackpacking South from PA

Slackpacking South from PA

Decades ago, when I sailed the briny blue on a Coast Guard cutter, we had a salty mustang (i.e., a former enlisted member) serving as engineer

Feb 25, 2025 : John Hartzell
My (Planned) AT Journey

My (Planned) AT Journey

As a new blogger, I thought it would be helpful to introduce myself and answer those two big questions: why I am undertaking an AT backpacking trip,

Feb 14, 2025 : John Hartzell