Welcome!
My name’s Matt, and I love to write and hike. I’m the author of 4000s by 40 and am currently working on book two. When I’m not doing that, I come here to share tales from the trail, reflections on the writing process, and explore hidden truths.
Whether you’re a hiker, a writer, or just someone trying to figure out their own next step, I hope this site encourages you to keep getting outside, keep exploring, and keep making new discoveries. I suppose this place serves as a very public reminder to myself that I need to keep doing the same.
Enjoy it out there!
What’s New
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Hiking Solo vs. With Friends
Cutting right to the chase, I love both, and there are obvious benefits to both, whether you’re a writer or not. If you’re with friends, you get those connection points—those laughs and stories—that fill your cup for weeks to come. They leave you feeling bonded, especially if you overcome something big together like climbing a…
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The Words
When you’re ready, they will be here, waiting by your bedside, dear. Or on the kitchen counter, perhaps laying on the couch, waiting to share some stories you know nothing about. They’ll be here when excited youth, drops you into seasoned couth, and you can pick some new songs, ones with pointed lyrics, singing beyond…
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A Paugus Among Us
I learned something today. The mountain I climbed Wednesday was named for Chief Paugus, who was the head of the Pequawket tribe, a sect of the Abenaki. He lived near Conway, New Hampshire, in the early 1700s, and was killed at the Battle of Pequawket (or Lovewell’s Fight) in 1725. Paugus means “The Oak,” implying…
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Ranking the 4000-Footers
I realize it might be sacrilegious in a way, to rank the 4000-footers, but my recent foray into New Hampshire’s 52 With a View mountains has got me thinking about the mountains I’d really like to see again—and the ones I don’t. A recent trip to Mount Paugus wasn’t my favorite, and even though I…