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Essays, trail stories, reflections, and writing from the road, trail, and beyond.

The Last Mile
Source: Substack Date: 2026-07-22 By Derick Lugo
A Country of Kindness
Source: Substack Date: 2026-07-04 By Derick Lugo
Road Angels
Source: Substack Date: 2026-06-24 By Derick Lugo
Partners in the Parks™
Source: Substack Date: 2026-06-10 By Derick Lugo
A Brotherly Text
Source: Substack Date: 2026-05-27 By Derick Lugo

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dericklugo

AT’12, CDT’22, LT’24, PCT’25 👑👑👑 ⛰️ADK 17/46🏔️ 🥾CATS 5/45🥾
My new book: ‘A FABULOUS THRU-HIKE’ 👇🏽

And that’s a wrap! 🥾 I really dig what my partner

And that’s a wrap! 🥾

I really dig what my partnership with @obozfootwear has brought into my life. Geologists, runners, photographers, new footwear, and my continued tight relationship with my Oboz posse. Somewhere along the way, these folks became friends.

And there’s some Fabulousness coming your way soon. 😉

Pretty cool what the trail can do.

Peace, Love & All That Good Stuff! ✌🏽🫶🏽👊🏽

My birthday activity & company! ✌🏽🫶🏽🎂 Spending my

My birthday activity & company! ✌🏽🫶🏽🎂

Spending my day with @obozfootwear fam is as Fabulous as it gets!

Peace, Love & All That Good Stuff! 🤗

September 5 is a special day! A year ago today, I

September 5 is a special day!

A year ago today, I finished the Pacific Crest Trail. 🥾

Thirteen years earlier, I started the Appalachian Trail as The Unlikely Thru-Hiker.

I had no idea what I was doing.

But somewhere between that first AT step and standing at the end of the PCT, something happened.

The Unlikely Thru-Hiker became a Triple Crowner.

2,200+ miles on the AT.
2,650+ miles on the PCT.
3,100 miles on the CDT.

Three trails. Thousands of miles. One very tired hiker. 😂

The PCT was one of the best experience of my life! 2,650 miles of desert heat, high Sierra passes, snow, wildfires, endless forests, big mountains, and some of the most beautiful country I’ve ever walked through.

And after all those miles, reaching the Canadian border felt surreal. I had spent months walking north, and suddenly there was nowhere else to go.

When I started the AT in 2012, I never imagined I’d eventually hike all three major long trails in the United States, plus the Long Trail.

The pre-AT Derick would be shocked, and I think or hope inspired.

I’m grateful for every blister, wrong turn, ridiculous weather day, trail angel, campfire conversation, summit, breakdown, breakthrough, and questionable decision that got me here.

From “Can this guy actually hike the Appalachian Trail?” to “Wait… he’s a Triple Crowner?”

Apparently, he can. 😎

One year ago today, the Unlikely Thru-Hiker officially became a Triple Crowner.

And somehow, 8,200+ miles of long trails, plus 273 miles of Vermont’s Long Trail, still wasn’t enough. 😂💙

September is here! 🍂 Virgos where you at! ♍️ My

September is here! 🍂

Virgos where you at! ♍️

My favorite month. My birthday month. 🤗

September always feels like the beginning of my favorite things. Fall is on the way, summit anniversaries are here, and my birthday is right around the corner.

Then comes Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and all the good stuff in between.

Basically, September kicks off my favorite time of year. I’m ready for all of it! 🎂🍁🎃🎄

📚 Today marks the first-ever Black Bookstore Day!

📚 Today marks the first-ever Black Bookstore Day!

Black bookstores and Black booksellers are more than places to buy books. They are gathering spaces, cultural anchors, and champions for stories that deserve to be read, shared, and celebrated.

Today, find a Black-owned bookstore or bookseller. Buy a book. Meet an author. Support the people putting great stories into readers’ hands.

Let’s celebrate Black books, Black authors, Black booksellers, and the bookstores that give these stories a home. 📚🫶🏽📖

I have officially signed a lease and become a **le

I have officially signed a lease and become a **legal resident of Westport, NY.** 🏡

So… I guess you’re stuck with me now.

Can they legally get rid of me? Probably. 🤔

But that’s not the point.

I’m here to stay.

Over the past year, Westport has gone from a place I was passing through to a place I’m putting down roots. I’ve made friends, built relationships, become part of the community, and found a little corner of the Adirondacks that feels like home.

Now I’ve gone and signed paperwork to make it official.

I’m planting roots. Growing relationships. Building community.

And apparently, committing to a place means signing a lease. Who knew?

Here’s to the next chapter in Westport.

Peace, Love, & All That Good Stuff!✌🏽🫶🏽🏡

Hiked another Adirondack High Peak: Allen Mountain

Hiked another Adirondack High Peak: Allen Mountain!

At 18.1 miles, it was the longest hike I’ve done in this beautiful region—and it quickly became one of my favorites.

The first six miles, shaded by a beautiful tree canopy, were about as easy as it gets. The next two miles brought a gradual climb, which I expected. I was climbing a New York High Peak, after all.

Still, I was making great time. I started at 7 a.m., and at this pace, I figured I’d be back at my car by 3 p.m.

This was becoming my favorite hike of my 46er journey.

Then came the final mile to the summit.

What I expected to take about 20 minutes took more than an hour. It was a steep slab of wet rock, with slippery sections, a trail that seemed to disappear, stretches where the trail had become a stream, and mud that threatened to suck you down like quicksand.

Not exactly what I had in mind when I was hoping to knock out a long hike early in the day.

But honestly… I loved it.

It was a welcome challenge after spending miles strolling through the woods.

After a beautiful view from a false summit, there was one more slab of rock to climb before reaching the Allen Mountain sign. And then, while posing for a selfie, the sign came off in my hand.

Yikes!

I managed to put it back in place and started the long trek down.

Five hours up had me expecting a much quicker descent. In my experience, I can usually cut nearly an hour off a hike on the way back down. But Allen wasn’t having it.

The steep descent was just as treacherous as the climb up.

So, after another five hours, I finally made it back to my car—tired, muddy, and absolutely thrilled.

Peak #17 of 46 is officially in the books! ✌🏽🫶🏽🥾

**A Fabulous Book Live Club begins Tuesday, Septem

**A Fabulous Book Live Club begins Tuesday, September 15! 📚✨**

If y’all have been following me for a hot minute, you know that’s a special day. But if you don’t know… well, you’re gonna find out! 😉

Every Tuesday at **7 PM ET**, we’ll go LIVE and dive into **one chapter a week** of *A Fabulous Thru-Hike*.

Here’s what we’ll talk about:

• Chapter details — all 36 chapters, plus the prologue, epilogue, map, and cover
• Stories and moments that didn’t make it into the final book
• When appropriate, how I approached writing a particular chapter
• Behind-the-scenes stories and anything else I think will be a fun bonus for those who’ve read the book
• And, of course, **your questions and comments are highly encouraged!**

If you’ve read *A Fabulous Thru-Hike* and would like a **signed copy**, head over to **dericklugo.com** or click the link in my bio.

I can’t WAIT to chat with you guys!

Peace, Love & All That Good Stuff! ✌🏽🫶🏽🥾

Another Adirondack High Peak! Well… sort of. It

Another Adirondack High Peak!

Well... sort of. It was Phelps Mountain, a peak I’d already climbed, but this hike wasn’t about adding another summit to my list.

Last week, my friend Loree, who’s also working toward becoming a 46er, was starting to lose some of the excitement for the journey. She needed a reminder that these High Peaks are about so much more than checking off a list.

Her son, Sam, was visiting from the city. Inspired by his mom, he wanted to hike a High Peak with her. He wasn’t interested in becoming a 46er himself—he simply wanted to share an adventure with his mom.

And it was exactly what she needed.

We had an incredible day, and watching a mother and son experience the mountains together was a gift I’ll remember for a very long time. By the end of the hike, Loree had found that spark again and was excited to keep chasing the remaining High Peaks.

That hike was her 13th High Peak. Since then, she and her hiking partner, Michelle, have each completed another. They’re both now 14 peaks into their 46er journey!

They also host an incredible podcast called @womenpeaking. It’s so good.

If the weather cooperates, I’m hoping to knock out four High Peaks this week. 🤞🏽

*This adventure was powered by @obozfootwear . A little shoutout in this reel.

Peace, Love & All That Good Stuff! ✌🏽🫶🏽🥾

My thoughts about the audiobook, Tender is the Fle

My thoughts about the audiobook, Tender is the Flesh by Agustina Bazterrica…

This one was one of the most disturbing books I’ve ever listened to—and that’s exactly the point.

The audiobook’s narration adds an unsettling calmness that makes the story even more horrifying.

It’s brutal, thought-provoking, and forces you to question morality, power, and how easily society can normalize the unthinkable.

Definitely not an easy listen, but one I’ll be thinking about for a while.

Peace, Love & All The Good Books! ✌🏽🫶🏽📖

Sweet 16! 🏔️ Mount Marshall is officially in the

Sweet 16! 🏔️

Mount Marshall is officially in the books, making it Adirondack High Peak number 16. Just 30 to go until I become an Adirondack 46er!

One step, one summit, one unforgettable adventure at a time. 💚

Powered by @obozfootwear

#Adirondacks #ADK46er #HighPeaks #ObozFootwear #peakbagging

📚 Good news, Peeps!📚 Snowfort Books is now open o

📚 Good news, Peeps!📚

Snowfort Books is now open on Sundays from 12–5 PM!

If you’re looking for a great way to spend part of your Sunday, stop by, browse the shelves, discover your next favorite read, and say hello. I’ll be at the bookstore and would love to see some familiar (and new!) faces.

Whether you’re a local or just passing through the Adirondacks, come hang out for a bit. There’s nothing quite like spending a Sunday surrounded by good books and good people.

See you at @snowfort_adk ! 📖✨

📍6592 Main St, Westport, NY 12993

Peace, Love & All That Good Stuff! ✌🏽🫶🏽📚

The Azure is unpacked! 🚙 After 3.5 months, countl

The Azure is unpacked! 🚙

After 3.5 months, countless miles, dozens of bookstores, events, REIs and more cups of coffee than I can count, my book tour has officially come to an end.

My time on the highways, towns, the amazing landscapes, but mostly the people made this a memorable experience.

These moments that keep coming back to me:
The bookstore owners who welcomed me in. The readers who shared their stories. The friends who opened their homes. The road angels who reminded me that kindness is everywhere.

The miles were incredible, but the people made the journey unforgettable.

The road has slowed down, but the stories are still coming home with me.

Read “The Last Mile” on Substack, link in bio or go to:
https://substack.com/@dericklugo

Peace, Love & All That Good Stuff. ✌🏽🫶🏽🚙

#BookTour #AuthorsLife #AdventureAwaits #Storytelling #TheRoadLessTraveled

I’m so excited to be a small part of the John Brow

I’m so excited to be a small part of the John Brown Lives (JBL) fam!

A few days ago, I had the privilege of helping Martha Swann, founder of JBL, install the beautiful and inspiring portraits for the Americans Who Tell the Truth series. The exhibition is on display at the John Brown Farm State Historic Site all summer long.

I’m still new to John Brown’s story, and I’m learning more every day about how his legacy has shaped history and continues to inspire people today.

Managing the JBL social media, @johnbrownlives, has really immersed me in this work.

And yes... I can officially say I no longer confuse John Brown with Jim Brown, the legendary football player and actor. Both incredible Browns—just very different ones. 😅🤷🏽‍♂️

I’m looking forward to meeting so many amazing people through this experience. If you’re visiting the farm or just see me around, please stop and say hello!

Please continue following this new journey @johnbrownlives and @dericklugo

Peace, Love & All That Good Stuff! ✌🏽🫶🏽✊🏽

Well… yesterday’s “Back in the Adirondacks” post w

Well… yesterday’s “Back in the Adirondacks” post was supposed to be a reel, but for some strange reason, only the cover image uploaded. 🤷🏽‍♂️

So, let’s try this again! Here are some clips from my latest High Peaks adventure… hopefully they actually make it this time. 😅🤞🏽

Peace, Love & All That Good Stuff! ✌🏽🫶🏽🥾

Back in the Adirondacks… and I wasted no time. Or

Back in the Adirondacks… and I wasted no time.

Or should I say, I hit the ground hiking. 🥾⛰️

On my second day back, I climbed Phelps Mountain and Tabletop Mountain. There’s nothing quite like returning to the mountains that already feel like home.

That makes Peak 14 and 15 on my journey to becoming an Adirondack 46er.

31 to go. Let’s keep climbing.

#Adirondacks #ADK46er #Hiking #MountainLife #PeakBagging

Some trails don’t have to be long to leave a lasti

Some trails don’t have to be long to leave a lasting impression.

Earlier this week, my friend @mcintyre.christina and I hiked the beautiful Cascade Falls Trail—a perfect 4-mile out-and-back. The waterfall was worth every step, and on the way back, the skies finally opened up.

The funny part? We could hear the rain pouring all around us, but the dense tree canopy did an incredible job shielding us. We got just enough rain to cool us off without ever really getting soaked.
Well, until we got to the parking lot, and had to run to the car. 😅

Good conversation, a great trail, a stunning waterfall, and a little summer rain. I’d call that a pretty perfect day.

Peace, Love & All That Good Stuff!✌🏽🫶🏽👊🏽🥾🌲💧

This weekend at Rawlins, Wyoming! I’ll be giving

This weekend at Rawlins, Wyoming!

I’ll be giving two talks inside The Depot:

🥾 10:30 AM – My journey on the Appalachian Trail 🏔️ 3:00 PM – Stories and lessons from the Continental Divide Trail

Hope to see you there! ✌🏽🫶🏽👊🏽

🇺🇸 What have thousands of miles across America tau

🇺🇸 What have thousands of miles across America taught me?🇺🇸

Not that we live in a perfect country. But that it’s filled with imperfect people capable of extraordinary generosity.

As I reflected on celebrating the Fourth of July over the years—from small trail towns and mountain summits to city parks—I realized the greatest part of every adventure has never been the destination.

It’s always been the people. 🤗

I wrote about that in my newest Substack article, published today.

You can read it at dericklugo.substack.com or through the link in my bio.

Happy Fourth of July, everyone. I hope your day is filled with gratitude, adventure, and the people who make life a little brighter.

Peace, Love & All That Good Stuff! ✌🏽🫶🏽👊🏽

Sometimes you have to take your book promotion to

Sometimes you have to take your book promotion to new heights. 😏

Gotta love a guerrilla marketing campaign for a memoir.

So... have you read A Fabulous Thru-Hike yet?

Link in bio for signed copies. 😁

Peace, Love & All That Good Stuff! ✌🏽🫶🏽📖

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