Hi! I am Chuck, also known as Orange Man. Welcome to The Retired Hiker, a blog about my life in retirement focusing on hiking, long-distance backpacking, and the adventures of Dana (a.k.a. Pitcrew) and Chuck in our Travel Trailer.
I retired after my wife died in 2021 and jumped into hiking and long-distance backpacking as a way deal with what I call “Life Part II”. I have thru-hiked the Appalachian Trail and have a multi-year plan for the Pacific Crest Trail, the Colorado Trail, and numerous other long-distance trails.
As a reward to myself for completing the Appalachian Trail, we purchased a Travel Trailer in late 2024. I base out of the trailer on short multi-day hiking trips. Dana and I take the trailer on long weekends and week-long regional trips. Our plan is to tour the country in the trailer once Dana retires in a few more years.
Until a that time, I plan to do as many long-distance hikes as I can manage while not completely abandoning Dana for the trail! Hence our blog’s tagline “Side Trials of Retirement Bliss”.
Recent Trail Journals
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Day 105 turned out to be my last day on the PCT for 2026. Very difficult and emotional day.
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Zero day two in Mount Shasta and new plans for the remainder of the PCT.
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Burney to Redding to Dunsmuir to Mount Shasta.
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Zero day at Burney Mountain Guest Ranch.
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Hot day hiking on lava rock to reach Burney Mountain Guest Ranch.
Recent Blog Entries
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Traveling from Maryland to San Diego to start the PCT. Saying goodbye for 6 months is very difficult.
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Overview of the PCT including permitting, terrain, resupply, gear, and schedule.
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Why am I doing another thru-hike after swearing to my girlfriend I would not do this to her again? How do I view my PCT hike different than my AT hike?
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Overview of my gear for my PCT thru-hike. My starting base weight is 19.45 lbs and my total starting weight is 27.78 lbs.
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Unlike the Appalachian Trail and many other trails on the east coast, the PCT requires a permit to hike the trail. “If you plan on hiking or horseback riding 500 or more miles along the PCT in a single, continuous trip, the Pacific Crest Trail Association can issue you an interagency PCT Long-distance Permit.”