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The Government Has Shut Down: Here’s What it Means for the Appalachian Trail
What does a government shutdown mean for the Appalachian Trail? Like other recent closures, this is considered a “soft” closure, which means the Appalachian Trail will be “closed but accessible”
Why They Walked: Portraits of 2018 Appalachian Trail Thru-Hikers
It's been 11 years since I started collecting stories and portraits of northbound thru-hikers as they trek through their final state, Maine. Every year I am astounded by the hikers...
Arctic Refuge Leasing Plans Outlined by Trump Administration
The Trump administration this week outlined plans for selling drilling rights in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, raising the stakes in a decades-long battle to protect the far-northern Alaskan
Maximal Miles in Minimal Footwear: My AT Thru-Hike in Barefoot Shoes
Over 2,190 miles of coiled roots, sharp rocks, loose gravel, thick mud, slick leaves, snow past my knees, sheets of ice, wobbly wooden boards, river fords, and seemingly never-ending climbs...
Backpacker Radio Episode 25: Bethany “Fidgit” Hughes on Trekking the Length of the Americas
A life changing adventure is merely a decision away. That's the takeaway lesson from today's interview with Bethany Hughes, who just a few years ago, was running the books at...
Gear Review: Montbell Down Balaclava
Montbell Down Balaclava Product Specs: MSRP: $59 Weight: 3.1 ounces Insulation: 800 Fill Power EX Down Outer material: Ten-denier Ballistic Airlight rip-stop nylon with a standard DWR
The Trail Helped Me Become Who I Already Am
With light feet I followed the trail as it made its final turn before coming to an end at the shelter that marks the summit of Mount Whitney. I paused...
I’ll be a Full-Time Student While on My Thru-Hike
I have always been the type of person to stay active, maybe not always exercise active, but keeping my mind occupied. An Appalachian Trail thru-hike has been one of those...
Opportunity to Help Trail Angels Who Lost Everything in Paradise Fire
Pay it forward. Be kind. A little help can brighten someone's day. Long-distance trails like the Pacific Crest Trail and Appalachian Trail and the tradition of trail magic on them...
Finishing My Southbound Thru-Hike
It's been a week and a half since I summited Springer, so I figured it was about damn time I wrote a blog post about it. I climbed Katahdin on...