PNT: Plans & Overseas Training(?)
As mentioned in my Pacific Northwest Trail – 2026 introduction, I plan to start the trail (PNT) this year, in fact, I am leaving this weekend! Not only has the PNT been on my list for many years, it is also my last “piece” to finish the 7,000-mile Great Western Loop. I’ll start at Chief Mountain/Belly River Trail in Glacier National Park where I finished the Continental Divide Trail in 2017. I only have time this year to knock out a section westward across northern Montana into Idaho near Bonners Ferry because of a previously planned Switzerland hiking trip with Mrs. Haze. But I fully intend to be back to finish this trail across a beautiful, stunning part of the USA.
As for training, I finished the Desert Winter Thru-Hike in April and in May, Mrs. Haze and I, joined by close friends, embarked on a cruise from Athens, Greece to Istanbul, Turkey with many stops in between to islands and coastal villages. This was another part of the world that had been in my sights for a long time – beautiful landscapes, historical sites and ruins, wonderful food, and such a long, and sometimes difficult history. We ate ourselves silly, both on the cruise ship and on very fun (and filling) food tours in Athens and Istanbul. But this fortunately also involved a lot of walking in city streets and hiking through historical sites and on trails.
My first highlight included Athens and the magnificent Acropolis, famous for its iconic classical buildings, most notably the Parthenon, dedicated to the goddess Athena. This history goes back to 500 BC, wow!
Another notable highlight was a tour of the Ephesus archaeological site outside of Izmir, Turkey, famous for its well-preserved ruins like the Library of Celsus and the Great Theatre. Originally built in the 10th century BC, it was destroyed by wars and later by a destructive earthquake and landslides. It is now being progressively uncovered.
We spent additional time in Istanbul at the end of the cruise part of our journey and were so glad we did. So many sites to see including the Blue Mosque, a 17th century house of worship, and the Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque, originally built in AD 537 as a massive Orthodox basilica but conquered in 1453 and turned into an Ottoman mosque. The Topkapi Palace was also very cool, very lush and the royal residence of the Ottoman empire for almost 400 years – oh to be a sultan!
The old, vibrant and aromatic markets, Grand Bazaar and Spice Bazaar, were also incredible and so colorful, especially if you’re in the market for jewelry, rug and spice shops.
But the biggest surprise and delight was the region of Cappadocia, Turkey, a short flight from Istanbul, a unique historical region known for its surreal “fairy chimney” rock formations, ancient cliff dwellings and underground cities, subterranean labyrinths built centuries ago as secure civilian shelters, and colorful valleys and canyons. Some of the “holes” in the rocks are historic pigeon coops carved into soft cliff walls. What a long history, first the Hittite Empire in the 6th century BC, the Persian Empire, the Romans and the early Christian period, then the Muslim Arab armies and the Byzantine period.
We actually stayed in a cave hotel. Lots of hiking here which contributed to a total zero weight gain on this journey. So impressive and similar to southern Utah, I got to thinking about a thru-hike through Turkey!
