Yessi and Brad photos 2 years apart

Yessi and Brad April 2012 in New Zealand on our first date.
We walked a total of 4 blocks this evening.

Yessi and Brad Sept 2014,
We hiked 25 miles this day!!

M and M's go great with hiking!

M and M hiking club.

Yessi and I have spent the last few weeks hiking trails for GreenTrails maps.  Last week we were hiking a 70 mile loop over 4 days.  On our last day we made a meager lunch on top of Noble Knob which has an amazing view of Mt. Rainier.  As we huddled behind a group of trees to escape the wind, we could hear the cheerful sound of conversation wafting through the air.

M and M hiking club having lunch on Noble Knob, Cascades, WA.

 It was happy, upbeat, full of laughs and it kept growing stronger and stronger.  We knew people were coming but we had no idea we would be greeted by 14 women.  These women were full of smiles, all out there to get exercise, see the view and most importantly, to gab and what wonderful gab it was.  As some point, I joined in the gabbing, doing my hiking thing.  I explained what Yessi and I do for GreenTrails, about my year of hiking in NZ, PCT and Nepal, and then asked them if they all had the 10 essentials.  When I pulled out my smart phone ( these savvy women all had smart phones) and showed them how great Greentrails App is and that for just 99cents they could have a map, see all the trails and know where they were on the trail, they were amazed.  I suspect they all have the GreenTrails Map App now!

One Year, 3 Continents, 5000 miles hiked

2012, a year of hiking summarized.

Recently I completed a year of tramping.   In November 2011 I closed my sustainable design build business and took a year to travel, think, look and learn.

In one year of Tramping all over the globe, the Cascades in Washington State are still amongst the best places to hike.

During this year I hiked the TeAraroa Trail in New Zealand, 3000km of amazing people and magnificent terrain; the Pacific Crest Trail, 2650 miles of trail from Mexico to Canada; and then the Annapurna Circuit in Nepal, 144 miles of Buddhist Himalayan Magnificence.


A lake, one of many, along the PCT in Washington

I also started a fundraiser along the way, for the American Heart Association and the Pacific Crest Trail Association called Heart on the Trail.

Leave no Trace thru hiker Mc Sasquatch meets (no pun intended) leave lots of trace multi billionaire Ronald McDonald somewhere along the PCT.

I am unsure where my professional future lies, but it will involve design.  Perhaps teaching at a university, doing product design for outdoor gear companies or helping to solve the worlds housing needs with Habitat for Humanity.  I continue to look at all options and opportunities involving sustainable design.

New Zealand, far north end of South Island, Queen Charlotte Sound, the first track of the Te Araroa  on the South Island.

This summer, I'm blessed to be working for GreenTrails Maps maping our public lands for current and future users.  All last year I told myself, 'if only I could get paid for this (hiking)'.  Well now I am.

Signs along the Te Araroa.  Hand made and not sanctioned by DoC, they are still lovely and in a perfect place, half way along the Te Araro trail  between Cape Reigna and Bluff

All this started in 2011 with needing a break.  I closed up shop for a couple weeks and did some hiking in Washington on the PCT headed the wrong way (south).  This turned out to be the right thing to do since I met so many PCT thru-hikers along the way, headed north.  



Annie, PCT 2011,  quoted 'I hate hiking, but I love the people.'
This quote will be with me always.

Until this point in my life, I carried a 50 lb pack and thought that 12 miles was a long hike for one day!  And until then, I also thought I was the only one on the trail that hated hiking.  But then I met Annie.  She shared briefly with me, but as I hiked on this cold rainy day, her thoughts stayed with me, resonating a clarity--sometimes we do things for other reasons.

Boots (2011) and Freestyle (2012), pct hikers from different years meet in Washington.  We shared tobacco and beef jerky with two elk hunters, then marched on.  This picture is the most popular picture I've ever posted apparently, given its continued high ranking on dbBrad related Google searches.

Annie hikes to meet the people and in fact I do too now.  You just never know who you'll meet on the trail -- dirty, smelly, and needing a shower and a new shirt-- A doctor, an architect, cop, game designer or even a Cartographer for your favorite map company.

Green Trails Maps
The trails are my office and
my iPhone is my computer.

So this year, swing on by my office and lets talk design, trails, or education.  Just follow the Greentrails Maps to your nearest Trail Head and look for me, dbBrad!

Along the Annapurna Circuit in Nepal, 2012

The crew from 2011 Te Araroa, shown on a beach 2 days from our finish in Bluff,
It's too bad Madelein and Philipia and Brian and Annie weren't here to make the Photo complete!

dbBrad, (Freestyle) draws another heart along the PCT for Heart on the Trail.

Hiking for Health ~ Get your Heart on the Trail

Just a reminder to any blog followers.  This summer I will be hiking professionally for GreenTrails doing mapping work.  And like last summer, as I hike again I will be drawing small hearts on the trail.  I have not reached my goal of $10,000,  in fact I have quite a way to go before that goal is reached.   I hope that by continuing my fundraiser and with your help, and some patience, that I still will achieve my ambitious goal.

Bleeding Heart (probably not the best icon for a heart health awareness fundraiser!)

Please, if you can, make a donation to Heart on the Trail.  All money will be equally distributed between The American Heart Association and the Pacific Crest Trail Association.  And also don't forget to like us on Facebook and pass a Heart on the Trail on to your friends.  Thank you.

To quote McDonalds (again, probably not the best context for Healthy Hearts) 'I'm LIKEN it" !!

Heart on the Trail

Hiking for Health ~ Get your Heart on the Trail

Holiday Cheers

No matter how far I travel I draw hearts.  Here are two hearts I carved in the snow on the Annapurna Circuit.  They remind me, as I'm drawing them, how important both our emotional and physical heart health is and the important role exercise plays in one's heart health.  I started Heart on the Trail when I was hiking the Pacific Crest Trail.  The fund raiser exists because I wanted to acknowledge that important link between heart health and exercise, and I wanted to give back to my world.  All proceeds collected  go to the Pacific Crest Trail and the American Heart Association.  The best Christmas gift you can give to me personally, as well as those two hard working organizations, is a donation to Heart on the Trail.  All proceeds (100%) will be sent to The American Heart Association and the Pacific Crest Trail.   Thank you and may your lives be blessed with good cheer and good health.  Peace and Happy Holidays!

A Heart along the Annapurna Circuit 

A heart in a Nepalese Village

The Birth of a Fundraiser

Along the PCT (Pacific Crest Trail) I started a fundraiser.  After 5 months of tramping in New Zealand on the Te Araroa trail and another month or two on the PCT, I found myself with a bit of a broken heart.  I made a decision to turn my hurt feelings around and into a positive venture.

PCT hiker Freestyle with one of his HOTT hearts!

I had previously figured out by way of an accident how to draw hearts in the trail as I walked.  Starting with my hiking poles in front of me and then stepping through the poles and closing them behind I created little inverted heart shaped scratches in the trail.  Leaving these short lived hearts was part of my personal healing process; but it attracted lots of attention.

dbBrad inside a Heart on the Trail!

Other hikers told me how they followed the hearts after getting lost, or that they were having a tough time keeping going but the hearts motivated them to push on.  One hippy hiker thanked me for all the love on the trail.  With these kind words from so many hikers, I decided maybe there was more to be had from drawing these hearts in the trail.

dbBrad aka Freestyle demonstrating drawing a heart.

And thus my HOTT (Heart On The Trail) fundraiser was born.  All told I drew a couple thousand of the hearts which are all gone by now.  Given that about 250,000 Americans will die from Heart Attacks this year and about 600,000 people will come to pass because of heart related issues, it seemed like a great way to make the point that hiking can save your life.

One of the more permanent Hearts along a stretch where everyone seemed inclined to rearrange dark rocks on the barren land.  Though this heart is longer lived, rest assured snow and wind will render it unrecognizable by next season.

Support trails and healthy hearts and get your 'HEART ON THE TRAIL'!  All proceeds are split between AHA and PCTA (American Heart Association and the Pacific Crest Trail Association)

HOTT

~ Hiking for Health ~ 
 ~ Get your Heart on the Trail ~

Heart on the Trail continues to collect money as my steps bring me to the close of the PCT.  Manning Park, BC, the last step in my PCT 2012 adventure, is near at hand.  Please help others find health through exercise by contributing to Heart on the Trail.  All contributions will go directly to the Pacific Crest Trail Association and the American Heart Association.  Please go to the HOTT site, click on the heart and make a contribution to PayPal.  Or, write your check to Heart on the Trail and send directly to Whidbey Island Bank, Langley Branch, Post Office Box 665, Langley, WA 98260. 

Thank you for your generosity.   Remember heart disease, high blood pressure, and obesity can all be improved with walking and exercise!    

Day 147

21 miles on PCT Section K.  I hiked this section in 2011 so I'm feeling very much on home ground.  I can almost smell and feel my Whidbey Island home.

A very dry year!

Washington - returning home via the PCT, 2012

Your contribution to Heart on the Trail, connecting the dots between exercise and our hearts, would be greatly appreciated.  Get your Heart on the Trail!  Thank you!

Day 146

26 miles.

Headed north from Stevens Pass
The PCT offers beauty with each mile

WooHoo!

Freestyle at 2500 PCT miles.
Heart on the Trail

Hiking for Health

I'm really hoping to make a huge contribution to the Pacific Crest Trail and the American Heart Assoiation when I finish the PCT.  Please visit Heart on the Trail and help me raise money for these two wonderful organizations that have been so important to me.  Also, please visit Heart on the Trail on Facebook and "like".  Thanks for your generosity!  Thanks for following along on my adventure!

 Hiking for Health ~ Get Your Heart on the Trail

 Heart on the Trail

Heart on the Hood

Freestyle is Hiking for Health and  hoping you will Get your Heart on the Trail by going to Heart on the Trail and making a donation to support the Pacific Crest Trail and The American Heart Association.

Freestyle's heart on Hood

Day 122

dbBrad and Heart on the Trail make local news.  Thanks South Whidbey Record and Reporter Ben Watanabe for publishing such a nice article.   Hiked 29 miles today.

Freestyle, the guy behind Heart on the Trail

Freestyle, Mt.Jefferson, PCT

Looking north to Hood the Columbia River and Adams in Washington.  PCT 2012 highlight Willamette Hood boundary.

Mismatch and Bodybag

Photo by Freestyle

Jefferson from North

Hearts in Oregon

Hearts are now appearing on the Pacific Crest Trail in Oregon.  Be sure to purchase your heart and help raise money for The Pacific Crest Trail Association and the American Heart Association.   Thanks!

Heart on the Trail

Hearts are popping up everywhere!

Making donations ~~  Click on the heart on Heart on the Trail to make a donation through PayPal  ~~ Send a check, made out to Heart on the Trail, to Whidbey Island Bank, Langley Branch, Post Office Box 665, Langley, Washington 98260 

Heart on the Trail

~~~


If you've had trouble donating to Heart on the Trail through PayPal, please try again or send a check directly to Whidbey Island Bank.  Setting up the PayPal Account took a little longer than anticipated so we've had a glitch, or two.  Sorry for any inconvenience.

Heart on the Trail

heartonthetrail.com

HIKING for HEALTH  ~  Get your HEART on the TRAIL

Giving Back!

The Pacific Crest Trail is an awesome asset of hiking opportunity, beauty and conservation.  It is an example of the outstanding teamwork of various individuals, organizations, hiking clubs, towns, counties, states and federal governmental agencies.  It's what we can do when we pull together!    Thank you Pacific Crest Trail Association.

Exercise is critical to people's health, with our hearts being one of our most important organs to strengthen and protect.  Hiking is one way to achieve this goal.   Accordingly, and because my heart was on my mind as I hiked, I selected the American Heart Association as another key element in my "desire to give back".  

I am hoping to raise $10,000 through Heart on the Trail to be split evenly between the Pacific Crest Trail Association and the American Heart Association.  Please help.  Here's what you can do:

• Go to heartonthetrail.com, click on the heart, and make a donation.
• Go to Heart on the Trail on Facebook, like and share
• Share the heartonthetrail.com site with your friends
• Give directly to PCT or AHA, but please mention Heart on the Trail
• Hike for health - Get your own heart on the trail!

Thank you.  I wish for you good health and happy hiking!  

Freestyle


PS  If you do not like to make computer payments, please send a check made out to Heart on the Trail,  c/o Abel, PO Box 1471, Langley, WA 98260.  

Day 70

July 14, 2012:  The days here at South Lake Tahoe have been spent moving from one wi fi spot to another -- the library, campground, McDonalds, Starbucks -- to work on my computer while I have access to it.  I also needed to change the scene from time-to-time plus get food and drink.  Although these three days have been physically restful and helped curb my hunger, they have been mentally challenging as I set up heartonthetrail.com and focused on correspondence.  

Tomorrow I'll get back on the trail, and with Benton hiking with me again.  We'll leave from Echo Lake, headed into the Desolation Wilderness Area.

Get Your Heart on the Trail

Heart on the Trail

Bentons Heart is on the trail! Is yours?

dbBrad, founder of HeartOnTheTrail.com and dbBenton, mascot, pose for a picture next to a trail heart.

As i hike with my dog, Benton, it reinforces my notion of having a heart on the trail.  Benton sets a wonderful example by greeting each and every person on the trail with the same excitement, regardless of who they are, what they do and where they're from.

Melissa and Rabecca thought Benton was the Cats Meow!

His enthusiasm for life, the trail and other people make him a perfect mascot for my fundraiser HEART ON THE TRAIL. 

These people from France and Quebeck were taking a day hike along the PCT and were enthralled with my hiking adventure on the Te Araroa and the PCT, my month in France several years ago following the Tour de'France, my fundraiser HeartOnTheTrail and most of all, Benton, the worlds cutest Australian Shepherd.

If your heart isn't on the trail, here's your opportunity.  Go to Heart on the trail.com, click on the heart and get your heart on the trail for $1 and help raise money for the American Heart Association and the Pacific Crest Trail Association, two great charities.

The adventures of dbDog (trail name Benton) and dbBrad (Freestyle)

Benton has traveled all the way from Whidbey Island to join me for a couple sections of the PCT trail in northern California.

He's quite a social dog and quite enjoys meeting people on the trail.  He's perhaps a bit more social than I am even!

No matter how tired he is, he greets people with a little woof, then an intense full body waggle and he doesn't discriminate against day and weekend hikers!

It's been great having a hiking buddy for a few sections and is even better that he brought with him Fran and Ed.

Fran and Ed have been trail angels as Benton and I hike from one pass to another.  It seems some of the other hikers have seen my parents more than I have!

It's great to bump into someone that's heard of you or met your parents--like you've already met!

It's also great to show up at an intersection of the trail and a road and find cold beer, fresh fruit, and hikers hanging out with my parents.

It works well for the dog too since he really can't handle more than a few days at a time.

Though physically he's capable of the 20+miles per day, the issue is as a younger dog (2 yo) he just isn't getting enough sleep.

I brought my tent along for these sections thinking he may sleep better at night and though he does relax more without the mosquitoes nibbling at his tender nose, he knows his job is to protect us and so he sleeps, but with one eye open.

After a few days he starts getting tired enough that his behavior begins to deteriorate. It makes sense, I've seen it in people.

So having Fran and Ed supporting me at the various passes like Sonora, Ebbets, Echo, Donner, and Yuba has made my hiking easier and has allowed the dog to hike a few days, rest a few days and hike some more.

The dog will only have hiked less than 200 miles with me, but as you can see, he's been in some fabulous terrain.

Benton's heart is truly on the trail and I know I'm heart on the trail.  Where is your heart?

If it's not on the trail, then get your HEART ON THE TRAIL and support the American Heart Association, the Pacific Crest Trail Association.

My goal is to raise $10,000 to split evenly between these two organizations and I can only do it with your help and support.  Thank you.