Our Stories

Richard Peterson: NCNST Long Distance Hiker

Richard Peterson

Central patch + Wisconsin

I did the Hike 100 Challenge in 2017, finishing in September if I remember correctly. My miles were not all unique then. I repeated several, as I really liked the Marengo Valley area. (Good trout stream also.)

After completing that, I thought I would try to hike the Ice Age Trail (IAT), and started that in late fall 2017. It took me five years, two pairs of boots, two dogs, and two trucks, but I did complete it in the fall of 2020.

I did plan to do the 2023 Hike 100 Challenge, but was unable to find the time that year. This year I was determined to do it, and complete the entire North Country Trail in Wisconsin. Due to a very mild winter, I was able to reach 100 miles on 4/10/2024 and complete the Wisconsin section of the trail on 5/30/2024. In 2017, most of my miles were in the Chequamegon National Forest, basically the center section of the trail.

This year (2024), I did both the eastern and western sections for a total of 154 miles. I was accompanied by my trail dog Jackson for most of the way. I do not have to say that I am no fan of the road miles, just as I was not on the IAT. I do love the backcountry miles, and I like the NCT more than the IAT. In closing, it took me two years to complete the NCT in Wisconsin: 2017 and 2024.

Learn more about long distance hiker recognition at explorenct.info/NoCoLo/index.htm.