Captain Blue on the Blue Blazes: The First Solo Thru-Hike of Ohio's 1,444 Mile Buckeye Trail

by Andy Niekamp

Imagine walking 1,444 miles with a backpack carrying the bare necessities of life, 26 maps, and a whole lot of grit.When three-time Appalachian Trail Hiker, Andy "Captain Blue" Niekamp decided to hike Ohio's Buckeye Trail, he took on the challenge of his life. On this 88-day adventure, Captain Blue found things he didn't know he a Buckeye Trail family who assisted and encouraged him; a home state rich with scenic beauty and history; the physical, mental, and emotional stamina to travel Ohio alone and on foot.Readers will enjoy the trail tales of Captain Blue, past and present, and his knack for bringing humor and good-natured reflection to a hiker's experiences in the the cold, snow, wind, rain, heat, and humidity of springtime in Ohio; the physical test of walking for miles every day on a variety of treadways; the unpredictability of nature; and the sincere generosity of strangers.

212 pages, Paperback

Published December 5, 2017

About the author

Andy "Captain Blue" Niekamp has been a wilderness adventurer for more than 25 years. This IT professional, turned long-distance hiker has logged over 14,000 miles in more than 30 different states coast-to-coast including 9,500 miles on the Appalachian Trail.

Hiking is Andy's passion and his acclaimed "fountain of youth." He has hiked the entire Appalachian Trail end-to-end four times. While more than 10,000 have completed the Appalachian Trail at least one time, fewer than 12 people worldwide have reported completing the Appalachian Trail four times.

His other long-distance trails include: the Colorado Trail, Vermont's Long Trail, Minnesota's Superior Hiking Trail, Kentucky's Sheltowee Trace, Arkansas' Ozark Highlands Trail, the Ohio To Erie Trail, and Bartram Trail.

Andy is the founder and Chief Adventure Officer of Outdoor Adventure Connection, a backcountry guide service based in Dayton, Ohio. Andy has guided hundreds of people on backpacking trips that focus on backcountry skills, education, confidence, and Leave No Trace techniques. His company's motto is Live, Learn and Love Adventure.

Andy is the founder and organizer of Dayton Hikers, a hiking Meetup group. Under Andy's direction, the Dayton Hikers group has grown to be the largest and most active outdoor recreation club in Dayton, Ohio. He, with the help of forty event planners, leads hikes, organizes events, and plans gatherings and presentations for its 4,000+ members.

When he's not hiking, Andy volunteers for Five Rivers MetroParks, the Buckeye Trail Association and Kentucky State Parks. He holds an undergraduate degree in Management Information Systems and a Master of Business Administration. He is a life member of the Buckeye Trail Association.

Andy is a popular presenter and motivational speaker. He is a sought-after resource for his experience, knowledge and expertise as a backcountry, long-distance hiker and skills as an educator/trainer.

His goal is to inspire others to get exercise, make friends, explore nature, live a healthier lifestyle and make their community a better place to live!

Reviews

[Douglas E. Mclarnan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this narrative immensely and the photos inserted in the book added a lot to my enjoyment . What really impressed me is how this adventure led to a real commitment to improving the world around the author . Often the adventurer just goes on another journey Andy Niekamp has done both and he and others dedicated to improving the world we all live in now .

[David Rough · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the best book about the Buckeye Trail that I have read. Although Captain Blue's thru-hike took place several years ago, it rings with sincerity and vibrancy. The author writes in honesty, the good, the bad, the wet, and the sunny of the trail. I was so impressed by his network of friends and family around the state and of course the trail angels that responded with love, hospitality, and generosity. It is a great read for anyone considering hiking ant portion of the Buckeye Trail, but for non-hikers it provides insights and a perspective on Ohio that is well worth the read-thru.

[Paul Labbe · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great hiking book on the experiences of solo hiking the Ohio Buckeye Trail. I've had the pleasure of hiking local hikes with Andy, and the Dayton Hikers group he formed years ago, and appreciate his love of exercise and nature and making the community around him even better. Thanks Andy!

[Brenda · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very enjoyable read..... I am so glad I came across it on the new book shelf at my local library! It is very conversational in style, as it is based on the daily blog posts that the author wrote to document his hike. Even though I have lived in Ohio much of my adult life, I learned quite a bit about the state, about long distance hiking and about the trail itself. There are progress maps in the book, but I got out my atlas and followed along with his progress on a more detailed map. It was heartening to hear how many people helped him along the way.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun read about the Ohio Buckeye Trail. I got to learn more about local hiking orgs too so that was sweet!
I'm kind of sad Andy didn't include how Maria is doing in the afterword. As a reader I felt invested in her. I also realize it is totally none of my business too and respect that.

[Kelly K · Rating 5 out of 5]

Definitely could have done without the schoolgirl crushing bit but hey, if that's what happened then so be it. Otherwise this was a fun journey. I've been on random bits of the Buckeye Trail all over but have never thought of thru-hiking it. Mostly because I'm not sure how people get these jobs that allow them to take months off work. How do I get one of those??

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

Most of it read like blog posts but I enjoyed learning more about the Buckeye Trail and Ohio.

[Lynn Leatherman · Rating 5 out of 5]

My Experience on the Buckeye Trail has been in brief snippets of travel whether biking, running, a short walk, and the such. I have lived close the Maumee River portion the longest and while reading it was thinking of the condition that it is in and was thankful that it was a portion that is pretty straightforward. I was filled with a longing while reading this book. Coming from the flattest part of the state has always made me restless to travel and explore and this created in me a desire to lose myself in the outdoors and advocate for better access to people to be there. I would love to be someone who helps to make the trail a better experience and maybe one day go on it more seriously as well. While I have only dabbled in outdoor traveling like hiking and camping, I am wanting of going on my own experience not to do exactly as Captain Blue has done, but to see for myself what the trail can do for me. Good read and I would recommend to anyone who has ever been to Ohio to read

[Kirsten · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh this was just so interesting! Captain Blue, from a hiking club in Ohio, did a solo hike on the Buckeye Trail, following it around the circumference of Ohio. The people, scenery, weather (often horrid), Andy Niekamp's persistence, resourcefulness, and resilience were all fascinating. He spoke at our Beavercreek Library book club so that added to the interest of the book. I think almost everyone there bought extra copies to give to friends because we all liked it so much.

[Rose Wesselman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent personal account. I picked this up for my husband who is an experience hiker doing sections of the AT as well as other multi day hiking/camping both Regionally and out West. He liked it so much that I read it as well.

[Megan Palasik · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great and honest book about the Buckeye Trail! I live in Ohio and appreciated hearing about some of the history of the places Andy visited as well as his adventures on the trail. I have seen the blue blazes while hiking trails and now would like to explore them more! See you on the trail!

[Lindsay · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is written as daily journal entries . . . As such, it would be an excellent bathroom reader😀. Enjoyed it and as I venture around Ohio and see blue blazes, it makes being on the Buckeye Trail extra exciting!

[Damian · Rating 3 out of 5]

Has a few compelling parts about the human spirit and accomplishment. He doesn’t use meandering prose much either which is nice. Familiarity with Ohio helps keep attention. I didn’t know it went through Eden Park in Cincinnati either.

[Ginger · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great story Andy!

[Mark Newmeyer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read - good balance between the personal story and the journey of hiking the Buckeye Trail.

[Peggy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Probably would have put it down, but the romance kept me reading. Unfortunately, Andy left me high and dry. What happened with Maria?!

[Mandy F · Rating 4 out of 5]

Better than the average thru-hike travelouge with interspersed history and visuals. Helpful if considering completing the Buckeye Trail as a personal project.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great insight into the adventure of the Buckeye Trail. A must read for anyone looking to take a walk around Ohio.