Free Outside: A Trek Against Time and Distance

Exhausted and emotionally ruined from the fast-paced life in the finance world, Jeff Garmire walked into the woods in the middle of winter to begin an 8,000-mile backpacking journey. His goal over the next eight months was to thru-hike the Appalachian Trail, Pacific Crest Trail, and Continental Divide Trail in a calendar year. If he succeeded, he would become the 5th and youngest person to ever hike these trails in a single year.

The journey was riddled with inclement weather, shady characters, wildlife attacks, and injuries. The routes crossed frozen rivers were rerouted around wildfires, and scattered with nearly impassible miles upon miles of snow. Despite this, the physical challenge was overshadowed by the mental battle of this grueling endeavor which would ultimately provide adversity, healing, and tranquility.

Free Outside is the story of Jeff Garmire’s eight-month hiking adventure along the 8,000-miles of national scenic trails that define wild America.