Gear
Pack Shakedown: Top 5 Most Common Items Cut by the Pros
Find out what pieces of gear are most commonly sent home after a pack shakedown at Mountain Crossings on the AT.
The Evolution of My Gear at the Half Way Point
If you ever want to hear a thru-hiker ramble on for an hour or two, just ask about their gear. Not to overexaggerate, because I’m not, but our gear is...
The Slow Descent and Ascent Into Erwin, I-19, and Madness
Day 31 Today felt great! Hiking by myself without having to feel like I need to catch up with others or meet them based on plans is so freeing. I...
Hammock vs. Tent for an Appalachian Trail Thru-Hike
Creamy peanut butter or crunchy? Fiscal responsibility or new ultralight quilt? Gale or Peeta? These are the dilemmas that keep me up at night. Back when I was getting ready...
Top Stoves, Filters, and Power Banks on the Appalachian Trail: 2022 Thru-Hiker Survey
Each year here at The Trek, we ask long-distance hikers on the Appalachian Trail (AT) about the stoves and water filters they used on their 2022 thru-hike. This year we...
The Top Sleeping Bags, Quilts, and Pads on the Appalachian Trail: 2022 Thru-Hiker Survey
Each year here at The Trek, we ask long-distance hikers on the Appalachian Trail (AT) about the sleeping systems they used on their 2022 thru-hike. This post will cover the...
Top Tents and Shelters on the Appalachian Trail: 2022 Thru-Hiker Survey
Each year here at The Trek, we survey long-distance hikers on the Appalachian Trail (AT) about the shelter systems they use. In this post we’ll cover the trends from the...
The Top Footwear on the Appalachian Trail: 2022 Thru-Hiker Survey
The second installation of the Trek’s annual AT Thru Hiker Survey covers all things footwear. Shoes are one of the most important gear choices to a thru-hiker’s comfort, considering that...
LightHeart Gear Solo Sil-Nylon Tent Review
The search for the perfect lightweight solo long-distance hiking shelter is, it seems, neverending. It's tricky to strike a balance between weight, durability, ease of assembly (I have seen some
Nifty Tricks I have learned on the AT so far
So far on the trail I have learned a lot about how to make mutli-functional use of items in order to save weight and make items last. It has been...