22 Trek Bloggers on the Appalachian Trail You Should Be Following in 2022
As the snow melts in the PCT’s Sierra Mountains and Katahdin opens to AT hikers, we find ourselves deep in the throes of thru-hiking season once more. For months now, The Trek’s Blogging/Vlogging Class of 2022 has been proving that they not only have a knack for creative content, but that they’ve also got some killer trail legs. Here are 22 intrepid adventurers on the AT right now that you should be following this season.
This feature is meant to shine a spotlight on some of our bloggers who have opted to have their content shared on social media. It is NOT an exhaustive list. Click here to view a full list of our talented, intrepid blogging team.
Featured image via Trek Blogger @maryleavines.
Willy “Catchup” Callahan
Most recent post: “48 Miles, 6 Poops, and 2 Thunderstorms: The 4-State Challenge”
Excerpt: “The AT through West Virginia and Maryland is “only” 43.6 miles (according to the 2022 AWOL AT Guide), so if you’re truly determined (and a little touched in the head), you could set foot in Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania in one day on the trail. Add in the extra miles to get to campsites before and after the state borders, and I was looking at an ~45-mile day. A few friends had already completed it (lookin’ at you, Marathon) and I figured I was just crazy enough to try. What’s the worst that could happen?”
Follow Catchup: Instagram
Miranda “Zazz” Turner
Hi Everyone! I’m going to be starting my nobo thru hike of the AT in February 2022, and I’m so excited (Squeee!). During every day life I’m a wildlife biologist, book worm, burrito loving, adventurer. I can’t wait to see you out there!
Most recent post: “Week 14: The New Jersey Jungle”
Excerpt: “Most popular campsites along the trail are festooned with dangling bits of stuck paracord from similar bear hang outcomes, and although I’d been hoping to avoid a similar fate, it had finally happened to me. After fruitlessly tugging on the line for a while I cut the paracord, and after some grumbling managed to tie a rock to my remaining cord and set up a solid bear hang on a different branch. Added to my shopping list for the next town: a new rock bag and carabiner.”
Follow Zazz: Instagram
Aryn “Red Squirrel” Freeman
Most recent post: “Crossing the Delaware”
Excerpt: “Four days ago, I crossed the Delaware River and left Pennsylvania behind. I knew this would be a big milestone, but I hadn’t realized just how different the Jersey trail would be! The glaciers carved this landscape into a patchwork of cliffs, lakes, and valleys that’s a real pleasure to walk through. It’s been one of my favorite sections of the trail so far.”
Follow Red Squirrel: Instagram
Scott Morrison
Hiking the Appalachian Trail will fulfill a lifelong dream for me. I had the good fortune of enjoying New Hampshire’s White Mountains as a summer playground for many years as a youngster — a critical element in growing into future roles as student, son, hiker, skier, college grad, military officer, husband, systems analyst, father, and leader. I don’t often let my mind drift to beta mode. I prefer active mental activities such as analytical problem solving, reading, poker, alternative music, fantasy sports, the stock market, craft beer, and puzzles of any type. Like everyone else, I’m constantly attempting to balance the life scales of mental, physical, and spiritual me — but I’ll try to do it with a laugh and a smile, OK?
Most recent post: “AT Days 32 – 35: Animal Bite Hurts! Feisty Connecticut Miles”
Excerpt: “I found out firsthand the next morning how nasty these creatures could be, as I pulled my pack down and started to rearrange gear. My beloved alpaca hoodie had a quarter-sized hole chewed in it, right at the belly button. The mouse had crawled into my pack and chewed through a plastic liner and a towel to munch on my most costly clothing item. Almost unbelievably—a few minutes after my discovery, the little hoodie chomper appeared in front of me. (I knew it was him, I could see it in his eyes!)”
Follow Scott: Instagram
Traci “Laughing Loon” Halvorson
Most recent post: “In the Blink of an Eye”
Excerpt: “As I left Harpers Ferry I couldn’t help but to be excited. Mentally, I was on a high because I knew the next state to tackle was West Virginia. It’s the shortest state to hike, and each state I complete, is one closer to Maine. Thank you West Virginia for sharing your chirping birds and your gracious trail that allowed me to cruise on into Maryland.”
Follow Laughing Loon: Instagram | Facebook |Website
Morgan and Bryce AKA “Pinky and the Brain”
Most recent post: “Days 71 – 79: Woods Hole to Daleville”
Excerpt: “It’s been such a treat to spend a few days with friends and get spoiled with the amenities of Gramma’s house. I feel 200% better than I did this time last week when I was full of doubt. It’s amazing what a change in weather, the love of friends, and finally feeling well has done for us.”
Follow Pinky and the Brain: Instagram
Ashley Vines
Most recent post: “Georgia Peach – Part II”
Excerpt: “This is my second week on the trail and a second milestone has been hit, crossing into my home state of North Carolina! But let’s go back to where I ended at last, Blue Mountain Shelter. Never in my life would I have ever scarfed down a cheeseburger and coleslaw and beans and chips and a muffin and an apple and 2 mini snickers at 10 am…but I did today!”
Follow Ashley: Instagram | Facebook
Mike Hanold
Most recent post: “Everywhere I Go it Rains on Me”
Excerpt: “The trail wasn’t a trail anymore, it was just rivers and mud and bridges that were slippery enough to be more dangerous than the trail itself. At a certain point, I just gave in to the insanity and sang ‘Singin’ in the Rain’ while kicking up puddles.”
Follow Mike: Instagram
Kate
Most recent post: “Appalachian Trail: Power of Nature, Humanity of it All, What Else Would I Rather Do?”
Excerpt: “Strangely, I hadn’t seen another hiker in hours, but that wasn’t so unusual. Certainly there were people somewhere right behind me. They always are. I shook off the uneasy feeling of being totally alone and kept moving forward, keeping one eye on the clouds that seemed to be getting darker and one on the steep climb up. I hoped I wasn’t the only hiker heading into the snowstorm.”
Follow Kate: Instagram
Emily Rahn
Most recent post: “A Wonderful Hostel”
Excerpt: “It’s fun being gathered in one place and it would be nice to hike out as a group. Sonic’s right foot is bothering him so he wants to see if it feels better tomorrow. Hobble-It may zero if he stays. When I put out to the universe the energy of the trail family that I wanted, it’s exactly the one I found. I’m so happy and grateful to be a part of this tramily! They are such awesome people!”
Follow Emily: Instagram
Annie “Platinum” Protzmann
Most recent post: “Day 26: Miles 0 – 275”
Excerpt: “My favorite things so far: coffee in the morning, town food (obviously), the top of a hard climb, frosty mornings, a cold water flow, PB&J, a shower after 11 days, and my crocs! I am so amazed by how much I love this lifestyle and the routine. My biggest hits so far are combining oatmeal flavors, carrying a whole jar of peanut butter at all times, and honey buns – yum.”
Follow Annie: Instagram
Emilee Hackney
Most recent post: “Pennies From Heaven: A Different Kind of Trail Magic“
Excerpt: “As much as my writing and hiking focuses on loss, and as much time as I spend thinking about the things that have been taken from me and the things I’ve given up to be out on the trail, I’m overwhelmed again and again – seriously, every single day – by what this experience has provided me: the little just-in-time necessities (thank you, pot lid gods!); the assuring of Dad’s presence; and the most thoughtful, generous, insightful people I’ve ever known and could hope to share each instance of magic with.”
Follow Emilee: Instagram
Danyelle “Mountain Goat” Stoppa
Most recent post: “Pennsylvania…“
Excerpt: “Pennsylvania is not the crazy state that people make it out to be. Its relatively flat, with some rocky chunks, but it holds beautiful people, and beautiful nature. PA, you’re not without your challenges, but you’re not so bad… Though my shoes will be glad to say goodbye to you.”
Follow Mountain Goat: Instagram | Facebook | Youtube
Mary Leavines
Most recent post: “Tennessee: Finding the Answer“
Excerpt: “Ultimately, I’m thankful for the trying days of Tennessee – the way it showed me what the lows I’ll no doubt experience in Virginia and beyond will feel like, the perspective it gave me, and the little reckoning by the river it gifted me. I feel stronger, more capable, and ready for the next leg of this journey.”
Follow Mary: Instagram | Facebook | Website
Trishadee “Dandelion” Newlin
Most recent post: “Injuries”
Excerpt: “I’ve always been a tough cookie. As a kid, I always had scraped knees, some new bump or bruise from climbing trees or riding my bike or whatever. One of the toughest challenges for me on this journey is realizing when to rub some dirt on it and walk it off, and when to take things seriously and accept that I’m not invincible.”
Follow Dandelion: Instagram | Facebook | Twitter
Wendy “Serendipity” Boller
Most recent post: “Serendipity: Evolution of a Trail Name”
Excerpt: “The Appalachian Trail, similar to yoga, often attracts people who are in transition, looking for meaning, exploring identity. I first heard the special language of the Appalachian Trail in the White Mountains when a dear friend and I were hiking the Presidential range and staying in the huts. It was here that I was first introduced to the concept of a trail name.”
Follow Wendy: Instagram | Facebook
Ashley “Asterisk”
Most recent post: “A Quarter of the Way In”
Excerpt: “There comes a time when you’re no longer meeting a dozen new people every day, you no longer feel a thrill when you collect water straight out of the earth (and through a filter of course) and even beautiful overlooks dim slightly. Sure, you still stop to take it in, but you’re no longer lingering. To me, that means you’ve made a home here.”
Follow Asterisk: Instagram | TikTok
Meredith Horowski
Most recent post: “45 Days In: My Top 3 Highs and Lows of the Appalachian Trail”
Excerpt: “I’m now 45 days into my attempted thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail. Yesterday, a few hikers and I joked that — regardless of our ages — we’ve all grown up a lot in just a few weeks. The trail has thrown a lot at us, physically and mentally, and we’ve either adapted or learned some hard lessons. For me, it’s been a lot of both.”
Follow Meredith: Instagram | Facebook | Twitter
Matthew Podolsky
Most recent post: “A Perfect Day on Roan Mountain”
Excerpt: “The clouds closed in on us as the forest closed in on us, and by the time we neared the top, our visibility was only about 20 feet in any direction. Occasionally we would enter a particularly dense section of the forest and the darkness would envelop us. All of us were loving it – the fog, the cool weather, the beautiful forest – we were in awe of everything that surrounded us.”
Follow Matthew: Instagram | Facebook | Website
Carly “Smokey” Coughlin
Most recent post: “Movin’ and Groovin'”
Excerpt: “Now that it’s finally getting warm, the biggest issue diabetes wise has been making sure all my various devices are sticking to me and not sweating off. For you non-diabetic folks, imagine trying to keep an extra-large bandaid stuck to you for ten days straight, all while sweating and walking through humidity and rain. As you can imagine, it’s not very easy.”
Follow Smokey: Instagram
Chandler Sam
Most recent post: “I Don’t Want to Leave”
Excerpt: “Yes. I don’t want to leave the Broken Fiddle Hostel. My bed is so comfortable. I’m so cozy in my current state. I have a diner within walking distance. I might go in a bit to eat breakfast. Life is so simple here in Damascus. I will have to leave though because if I zero here, I may never want to leave.”
Follow Chandler: Instagram | Facebook
Unmai Arokiasamy
Most recent post: “AT Days 28 – 30”
Excerpt: “I saw a frog, some fishes and some tadpoles that had grown their legs. This put a smile on my face and I walked off happily. This led to a dirt road that passed through a beautiful field, which shined brightly on this morning. I wondered how long the field existed and if the Tsalagi Nation hunted deer here. While pondering, I loosened my back up before heading back into the woods.”
Follow Unmai: Instagram | Facebook
READ NEXT – 22 Trek Bloggers on the PCT You Should Be Following in 2022
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Comments 8
Ladyjaneadventures is on the APT and has a you tube channel as well
Great suggestion, I’ll have to check them out!
Give Owen Eigenbrot a follow. He is almost to Katahdin but is doing the IAT at some point later this year
Another great one is Quadzilla, the healthy gamer on YouTube, he is doing the triple crown, fun to watch with a positive attitude
How can this list exist without Owen Eigenbrot, who is the only that posts daily (nearly), is interesting because he is fast as hell, and writes with the literary quality of a best selling author. Is it because he is just about to finish? Confused.
Was thinking the same. I’ve been following Owen since the beginning. Great progress and a great daily read.
Great question! This feature is meant to shine a spotlight on some of our bloggers who have opted to have their content shared on social media. It is NOT an exhaustive list. Hope this helps!
Great question! This feature is meant to shine a spotlight on some of our bloggers who have opted to have their content shared on social media. It is NOT an exhaustive list. Hope this helps!