Tatum Hipp: hiking

Breakneck Ridge Trail // new york

8:39:00 AM

Many know that I am a mountain-lover currently landlocked in Manhattan. And while I am greatly enjoying my time in the wild city, my heart and my feet are constantly being pulled toward the rolling hills and magic mountains. Luckily, a 90-minute train ride and a $15 ticket gives the adventuring city dweller an opportunity to escape to the river-hugging mountains in the Hudson Highlands.

Early on a Saturday morning, I dusted off my well-worn hiking boots, filled my water bottles and marched to Grand Central Station to climb aboard the Hudson Line. Breakneck Ridge's trailhead has its very own stop along the Hudson Line - a true gift to an adventure-seeker without a car.

Lathered up with sunscreen and mentally prepared to face the 90-degree weather, my two fellow hikers and I hopped off the train and immediately headed upward. We could no longer control the urge to get on the mountain.

The first 45-minutes of the hike is a rigorous rock scramble that leads to a lookout along the Hudson River. It offers views of Storm King mountain and Bannerman Castle on Pollepel Island. After a moment for hydration and appreciation for the views, we wiped our foreheads and finished the remainder of the rock scramble - about 30-minutes.

As you turn your back to the river and walk toward the shaded ridge, you are flanked by one, interrupted wave of green trees on your right. It's a sight I hadn't seen in months. The views of the Hudson and the sounds of the trains fade away as you walk through the tall forest, but the sounds of birds and distant happy hikers come into earshot.

While many hikers turn around at the top of the rock scramble and return to either their car or the train station, we decided to take the long loop and make our way South, to the charming town of Cold Spring, NY. Cold Spring was beyond precious and the perfect place to do a quick sock change and scarf down a PB+J before catching the train back to the city.

The hike was nothing short of rewarding and is a perfect excuse to get out of the city. I can only imagine the trail views in the Fall, so it's easy for me to say - I'll be back!

adventure

heaven on earth // Cinque Terre

1:46:00 AM

Five girls and a priest hike through five towns in Italy...

Recently, I traveled to the mediterranean coast of Italy to hike Cinque Terre with four other girls and a priest from Africa. It was a last-minute, spur-of-the-moment decision to make the trek south but I had a feeling that Cinque Terre was a place I should not and could not miss. I was right.

Every since travelling to Florence my first weekend, I have fallen in love with Italy. The food, the people, the wine, and the feeling that floats through the air stole my breath and won my heart.

There is something so intimate about Italy that it is so comfortable. Since that first weekend in Florence, I have returned to Italy to visit Cervinia, Venice, Milan, and Rome, but Cinque Terre is undoubtedly my favorite spot in this country.

The hike through the five towns begins in Monterosso, where my oddly-mixed group sat down for a quick cup of espresso and a fresh croissant. The morning was simply perfect with a warm sun over the bright blue rolling waves and we sat, contentedly, as Monterosso began to wake up.

Eager to hit the trail, we began our trek along the coastline only to be diverted to the mountain trail due to flooding and construction. I truly think this was a blessing, however, as we were then able to hike through the lemon trees and look down onto the rocky coastline.

The trail was covered in delicate yellow flowers as butterflies filled the air and lizards scurried across the path every five feet.

The greatest parts of hiking Cinque Terre were the moments when you would round a corner and catch sight of the next town with its colorful buildings squeezed together on the coastline and you would think "That's where I'm headed," and you would get yourself there happily.

Town #2 - Vernazza - is the most authentic and darling Italian town I have ever seen. Every shutter was open, little boats filled the cove, and small children ran through the alleys and past old men enjoying their morning espresso.

At one point on my hike, between towns 3 and 4, I physically could not hold myself back from smiling. I was in complete bliss. With Foster the People blasting from my headphones, the Mediterranean sun beating down, and a trail through someone's backyard of vineyards, I was close to skipping in happiness.

After visiting so many large and crowded European cities, I was so exhausted and was craving the outdoors and an opportunity to just get lost. Cinque Terre was everything I needed for a fresh mind.

It's hard to describe happiness in its entirety other than saying that is overwhelming, but in the best way. To say you are completely content with a moment and yourself is a true blessing and something that should never be taken for granted.

After all my travels and after all the places in this world I have visited, Cinque Terre is the one place that I will undoubtedly return to because I would and will give anything to experience that feeling again.

autumn

A MONTH IN MOMENTS // SEPTEMBER

5:57:00 PM

September has left and Autumn has arrived.

Breathing in these crisp mornings with the biting air and that soft scent of leaves and the brisk wind of October, I exhale the business and the fun that was September.

I traveled, I reflected, I set intentions, and I woke before the sun. September was successful.

And so now we face October. I've set new goals and carried over my intentions I had not yet checked off from September. I hope that the natural beauty and breathtaking views of September will transfer over as well.

So cheers to a new month and my challenge to live presently in this beautiful season.

adventure

BACK TO THE MOUNTAINS

12:04:00 PM

Oh it feels so good to be back. Back to the mountains, back to the AT, back to the sunrise and sunset hikes, and back to that unforgettably clear head that comes after continuous breaths of fresh air.

It's been two weeks since I've moved back to Virginia and I have already done three different hikes. If you know me, you know how happy that makes me.

Sunrise at McAfee's Knob, sunset at Bald Knob, and Sunday at the Cascades. I am so content.

McAfee's knob is always a breathtaking view, especially if you wake up early enough to catch the sunrise. We took the fire route this time since we were ascending at 4:00am. The fire route is wide enough to walk alongside your fellow hikers and rugged enough that you feel like you aren't completely cheating the system. I recommend hiking that extra 100 yards at the end of the trail, past the primary overlook, as there are a few hanging rocks that are more secluded and offer just as good of a view. Compared to last year's sunrise hike at McAfee's, this year's far surpassed it. I couldn't take my eyes away from the fog and clouds that rolled over and consumed the mountains and filled the valleys and I've never seen a sun quite so gold in my life.

Bald Knob has simply turned in to one of my favorite hikes. Only a half mile (although it is a half mile of straight vertical), it offers one of the best sunset views in southwest Virginia. I love seeing the distant infrastructures scattered at the base of the extraordinary mountains.

And, finally, the Cascades. Waterfalls are just mesmerizing, and so this quick trip never disappoints. This past trip was my 11th trip to the Cascades and also filled in the box for an Autumn trip. So even after I've walked it 11 times and through every season, I can still say it is beautiful and it is wild. What's not to love about walking on a fallen log to get to the perfect rock to sit on to watch a glorious waterfall? It's perfect and it's so southwest Virginia.

It's good to be back.

adventure

A MONTH IN MOMENTS // APRIL

5:23:00 PM

How incredibly fulfilling it is to say that most of April was spent outside. In the woods, in the water, on the trails, on a park bench. There is nothing that makes me happier than to be out under the sun or under the moon.

April was joyful. Not a day passed that I did not recognize the beauty around me, that I didn't laugh, or that I didn't simply smile out of pure contentedness.

I don't even mind that April managed to come to an end so quickly, because every day was filled with bliss and beauty. I am so grateful for all that April has brought me and I am so stoked to head into another beautiful spring month. So, let's go May.

adventure

A MONTH IN MOMENTS // MARCH

1:00:00 AM

February can simply be defined as a month of adventure. When the weather warms and the sun stays out longer, so do I.

It is funny to think that within the first week of the month I dressed in 4 layers and pulled out my wool socks for a snowy hike to a frozen waterfall, and now I am here, on March 30 with a t-shirt and Birkenstocks, gathering my things to go hammock among the cherry blossoms.

There was something special about this month, as each day seemed to have a purpose and an adventure I was determined to seek out. There was new music to be found, a new trail to add to my Appalachian collection, a new place to worship, and a greater self to discover.

I am most definitely excited to see what April has in store, as March has left my heart full and my soul singing.

asheville

A MONTH IN MOMENTS // NOVEMBER

1:00:00 AM

I truly can't believe that I am decorating my tiny space for Christmas, that Thanksgiving break has already come to a close, and that it is officially crunch time before finals. Where has November gone?

While I may be focused on the time ahead, one thing of the past is for certain. This has been the most naturally beautiful autumn I have ever witnessed. From the sunlight to the leaves crumpled by passing feet, everything was breathtaking. What a beautiful month November was.