Appalachian Trail Music Club | 001 | Sun It Rises

One “luxury” that I cannot hike – or bike, run, climb, cook, write, sleep… breath?! – without is music. Inspiring, epic, relaxing tunes that motivate and focus me when nothing else can. My musical library has reflected my love of the natural world more and more over the years, to the extent that I have made specific playlists to reflect the terrain I am in! I don’t always hike with headphones in my ears, probably less than 50% of the time. However, there’s nothing more inspiring to me than to encourage myself up the last few hundred feet of elevation with some Arcade Fire, or enjoy the sweeping views above tree line with some Tycho, or to put my feet up with the last of the whiskey, Bob Marley in the background, around the fire with friends.

I am bringing quite a haul of music with me on my thru hike attempt of the Appalachian Trail this year and I want to share my favorites here as I walk north! Sometimes it’s the lyrics, sometimes it’s just the softest of sounds that makes a moment stick that much more. Please feel free to share your favorite songs and artists to hike with, and I hope I can provide you with some songs you bring with on your next adventure!

001 | Sun It Rises | Fleet Foxes

I can recall several mornings in the backcountry that I would awaken as if I was filming the music video for this song. Groggy, a bit hung-over, but already realizing that my day would be filled with hiking, views, best friends and more laughs than I could count. It signals a beginning, and on a backcountry hike in primitive lands, every moment is full of beginnings; firsts and lasts all rolled into one that bleed together into the best memories of life. Sunshine, if you catch the weather in a good mood, is a constant. It peeks over the horizon until it fills the sky, colors morph as each minute passes, and “soon enough” the blue is a bright golden promise of new experience. Sun rise is new every single day, a new chance to awaken in a different way from the one that came before it. To redefine yourself, revitalize your soul. Like day one on a thru hike, to be embraced with all the hope an adventure can provide.

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Comments 2

  • Marietta Jones : Mar 4th

    Yesssss! Fleet Foxes! Sounds like you have some rad music taste over there. “Helplessness Blues” would be pretty great in regards to the AT as well, at least for me. I’ve got to figure out my life, you know? I made a new hiking playlist a few days ago that I’ve been listening to, “Crooked Legs” by The Acorn is what I’ve been feeling the most on it. Music is also my… everything and I’m excited to incorporate it into my hike! I just need headphones that aren’t uncomfortable and stay in my ears and won’t die if I start sweating. Any suggestions on that front? I’ve tried the yurbuds inspire duro, but they’re too big and hurt my ears. They just need to have a girl version!

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