Starting the Crete E4 Hike

So I’ve mentioned this in just about every conversation I’ve had over the last month or so, but I’m leaving today for a hike of mildly epic proportions. The E4 trail actually runs all the way across Europe, from Spain east to the Balkans and then south through Greece to Cyprus (where it finally ends). I’m not quite THAT ambitious (at the moment!), so my plan is to hike just the southern Greece stretch of the trail up and over the island of Crete.

Though the 280 miles of trail I’m looking at can very reasonably be completed in less than three weeks, I’m planning on spending a bit longer in order to build in some beach time on the Mediterranean to offset all those mountain passes I’m soon to climb. For the last stretch, through (and over) the White Mountains, an old friend who lives now in Crete will be joining me for hiking and camping. It’s gonna be in-tents.

Anyways, the bags are packed and the bus leaves early so I’ve gotta run. Post are scheduled for MonkBoughtLunch, of course, but emails will go unread and podcasts sadly un-listened for the next few weeks. See you in mid-April!