About Matt
I am a 43 year old slightly disgruntled ex-software engineer currently spending most of the year running amok in the outdoors.
Prior to 2019 I worked as a software engineer and consultant for about 20 years which basically limited my outdoor activities to weekends. Then in 2019 a combination of a very supportive partner and an employer going out of business triggered a massive life shift to where I could finally do the long distance hiking and paddling I'd always dreamed of.
These days I officially live in Southern California with my partner Jen however I'm usually only around in the November to March timeframe since we have done a big long distance trip every summer.
For three seasons we lived out of a conversion camper van around Orange County during the winter. We ended up selling the van in 2023 to simply our off trail life a bit more.
Three months later I set out to do the Appalachian Trail with a few bonus miles. I hiked from Key West up to the northern tip of Nova Scotia over 10 months completing the Florida Trail, Pinhoti Trail, and multiple sections of the IAT along the way. 5,000 miles and 302 days.
In 2022 I set out to do the Continental Divide Trail southbound though I had to exit around the 2/3 mark due to COVID + norovirus complications. I came back in 2023 and finished the remainder ending up with over 3,000 miles of the red line.
That means that as of 2023 I'm officially a Triple Crowner.
I've also spent a decent amount of time paddle camping and have some major goals around long distance travel in that fashion.
I am a volunteer instructor for the 10 week Sierra Club Wilderness Travel Course where I've been involved in the Orange County section since 2009. Since 2012 I've been the group leader of Kaweah Group.
I was also a volunteer instructor and helped run the Sierra Club Advanced Mountaineering Program from 2009-2019 which teaches a variety of rock climbing and mountaineering skills.
I'm also a divemaster and enjoy getting under water at almost every opportunity when not on trail. I've been eyeing seasonal dive work opportunities.
A number of years ago I volunteered for two seasons at the fire lookout on Tahquitz.
A number of years ago I volunteered for two seasons at the fire lookout on Tahquitz.
Hiking Resume
2024 American Discovery Trail Westbound
2022/3 Continental Divide Trail Southbound
2023 Grand Enchantment Trail
2023 Arizona Trail Abort At Oracle
2022 Condor Trail Thru Hike (Unofficial FKT)
2022 Santa Monica Backbone Trail (Again)
2021 Lone Star Hiking Trail
2021 Eastern Continental Trail (aka Florida Trail, Pinhoti Trail, Appalachian Trail, International AT+)
2020 Pacific Crest Trail Northbound
2020 Condor Trail Attempt #1
2020 Santa Monica Backbone Trail
2019 Theodore Solomons Trail Northbound
2019 John Muir Trail Southbound (Again)
2013 John Muir Trail Southbound
Paddling Resume
2023 Mississippi River Source to Sea Thru Paddle
2022 Suwannee River Florida Thru Paddle
2022 Green River Utah Paddle
2019 Sayward Canoe Route Paddle