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Selected Backpacking Content

Other Odds and Ends

Ultralight Backpacking

Welcome to yet another backpacking blog! This website was created by Peaches (Jeff Kessler), and is intended to help folks better learn about backpacking, and to aid them in planning their own trips. I enjoy thru-hiking and ultralight backpacking in the great outdoors. I also create fairly-technical tools (models) from time-to-time for various purposes. Most recently, I developed an app to improve one’s ability to provide and receive more up-to-date water information and other odds and ends for the Hayduke Trail. I think the HDT is some of the best hiking I’ve ever done, and runs through some of the most beautiful parts of the United States. It is a tremendous trail, and a terrific hiking opportunity. My thoughts of the trail can be found here.

In summer of 2025 I hiked the Pacific Northwest Trail. I give it 2/5 stars, and would not recommend it as a first, or even second, trail for a new thru-hiker. For more of my thoughts on the PNT overall, read my Afterward to the PNT. Mile-for-mile, the Arizona Trail is the most beautiful long trail and is certainly worthy of the ‘National Scenic Trail’ title! Even after the Hayduke, however, I still think that the Continental Divide Trail is the best overall long trail I’ve ever done.

This site will be used primarily to post general things about ultralight backpacking and updates associated with the thru-hiking trips I take. Updates will occur periodically.

When I’m not backpacking and hiking, I’m often thinking about climate change and energy policy.

Curious About Thru-Hiking?

Are you curious about thru-hiking, or hiking the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT)? Do you want to know more about ultralight backpacking? Are you considering going ultralight yourself? I encourage you to read my afterward to the PCT blog post as a great place to start. This is an email I sent out immediately after completing the PCT in August of 2018. Even after many more miles of hiking and backpacking, and far-too-many hours stuck in a cubicle, I still think it is a fair assessment of the PCT. If you’re thinking about the CDT, I strongly encourage you to read my afterward to the CDT post. Are you looking for a semi-technical route off of the Arizona Trail to make it through the Grand Canyon? Check-out my afterward to the Arizona Trail. Additional route information pertaining to the AZT can be found on my AZT page.

If you have questions, need an adventure buddy, or want to connect, then contact me through the usual means!

Keep on hiking! =)

<3 Peaches ()