Inspiration
Lessons Learned: Going into my 2nd Thru-Hike
New Year, New Trail After a year away from thru-hiking, it's time to get back onto the trail. Since immersing myself in thru-hiking culture in 2017, it's been a significant...
In Praise of Trail Angels: An Essential Part of the AT Experience
I had no idea what to expect when I set off from Springer Mountain in early March of 2015. I had never been backpacking for longer than a few nights,...
Book Review: Tales from the Trail – Stories from the Oldest Hiker Hostel on the Appalachian Trail
Most AT thru-hikers and even some sectional hikers have probably spent a night or two sleeping and showering at the Hiker Hostel of The Presbyterian Church of the Mountain in...
How Fast is too Fast? 6 Lessons from a Sub-80 Day Thru-Hike
I summited Mount Katahdin on September 4, 2023, and started heading south. On November 21, 78 days and ~2200 miles later, I reached Springer Mountain in Georgia. I think in...
10 Awesome Snow-Free Winter Thru-Hikes
Snow really isn't my thing. Does it turn trails into absolutely breathtaking wonderlands? Definitely. Do I enjoy hiking through it? Nope. If you're like me and love cold-weather hiking without...
8 Appalachian Trail Thru-Hikers Share Their Favorite and Most Challenging Sections
As the 2023 thru-hiking season draws to a close, we’ve asked our Appalachian Trail finishers to share their thoughts on which parts of the trail were their favorites and which...
Meet Shawn Mahoney, aka Log Man: The Thru-Hiker Who Carried a Log on the AT and PCT
Meet Shawn Mahoney, that crazy dude who carried a big log on the AT and PCT. But it wasn't just for kicks. Learn the real reason here.
Q&A With Heather “Anish” Anderson On Her Summer FKTs
Heather "Anish" Anderson is a legend in the FKT world. Learn about her incredible summer of setting records on sections of the AT and PCT.
The 15 Best Long-Distance Trails in the US
When it comes to hiking long distances, there are countless trails to choose from. The US alone offers hundreds of unique hiking experiences with every kind of natural setting you...
6 Mistakes to Avoid on the Appalachian Trail from a Backpacking Guide
No one starts as an expert backpacker and we all make mistakes. Here are behaviors to avoid from an Appalachian Trail backpacking guide.