Embarking on a 10,000-Mile Adventure: A Year of Trekking
As the clock struck midnight on New Year's Eve, 2025, I concluded an extraordinary chapter of my life - a year-long hike across the vast landscapes of America. Over 365 days, I traversed a remarkable 10,070 miles, an achievement that allowed me to explore the entire country threefold.
The journey demanded an average of 27.5 miles each day, even with the 30+ days I took off throughout the year.
In the final weeks, I took a step back from social media, wanting to fully immerse myself in the experience as it drew to a close. While sharing my journey online was rewarding, taking a break from editing and writing allowed me to savor the last moments of this incredible adventure.
Starting and ending my 10,000-mile odyssey in Key West was a unique and memorable experience.
When I set out in January, hiking 8,500 miles seemed ambitious, but I believed I could complete the standard calendar year triple crown. However, the idea of adding more mileage seemed like a crazy challenge.
But here's where it gets controversial... I started the year with determination, maintaining a solid daily mileage for the first half. Then, halfway through, an injury left me unable to walk for over a week. I took 17 consecutive days off, but the pain persisted, requiring the support of a cane or trekking poles. It seemed like a setback, but I chose to see it as a necessary part of my journey.
And this is the part most people miss... I accepted that healing was crucial, and I trusted that the universe had a plan for me. The time off the trail was intentional, a cosmic alignment of sorts.
As I healed, my determination grew. Post-injury, I averaged 23 miles a day for two weeks, a sign that I was getting back into the game. By mid-August, I was hiking 35-40 miles daily, and the math told me I needed to maintain a 37-mile daily average for 9-10 weeks to complete Colorado before winter.
Completing 10,000 miles of hiking was a monumental achievement, and both Slide and I reached this milestone by New Year's Eve.
Those 9 weeks were some of the toughest I've ever faced. I discovered a resilience within myself that I never knew existed. My routine became finely tuned, and managing time efficiently was crucial. I'm proud of the hiker I became during those challenging times, as it was the most transformative period of my hike and perhaps my life.
I felt a deep connection to the earth, seeing signs and feeling emotionally and spiritually raw.
Slide and I reconnected on the PCT in August, just before my big mileage push. We shared a unique bond, having both hiked almost 6,000 miles that year. Our meeting was perfectly timed, and his presence during my struggle and push was invaluable.
When I finished the border-to-border CYTC on November 14th, I felt rejuvenated and ready to continue, and the opportunity to hike with Slide in Florida was too good to pass up.
Over the last 44 days, Slide and I hiked an incredible 1,600 miles across Florida, the highest mileage I've ever consistently achieved. It was the biggest mileage I've ever logged with someone else, and I'm not sure I would have attempted the 10,000-mile goal without Slide's influence.
Despite the insane daily mileage, these last 6 weeks were some of my favorites of the entire year, a testament to the power of companionship and shared goals.
Even though I spent most of the year solo, the kindness of those following my journey online, trail angels, friends, and family kept me going. Their words of motivation and love were a lifeline on difficult days. It was a year of highs and lows, and I'm grateful for every moment, as they all contributed to my growth.
Now, Slide and I can finally rest after 363 and 365 days of hiking, respectively.
In the coming weeks, I'll be catching up on blogs, sharing detailed daily posts with photos for each day until New Year's. You can find all the content on @madisonblagden across social media platforms, including daily short reels and full-length YouTube videos.
I'm excited to share more content with you all and explore new creative ideas that have been brewing during my hike.
If you've enjoyed this journey, consider supporting my hike by buying me a refreshment or a snack via the "Tip the Author" button below. Any support is greatly appreciated!
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