Thru-Hiking Culture

Sassafras’ 10 Harsh Truths About the Appalachian Trail

Sassafras’ 10 Harsh Truths About the Appalachian Trail

They talk about beautiful places that you see, and the people that you meet, the towns, the food, the trail angels... and that's all true. It's a really wonderful trail....

Jun 19, 2025 : Jess
The Trail Beneath the Trail: Walking the AT on Cherokee Ancestral Lands

The Trail Beneath the Trail: Walking the AT on Cherokee Ancestral Lands

As the Appalachian Trail Conservancy celebrates its 100th Anniversary, it is worth remembering that people were living and walking in the North Georgia mountains hundreds of years prior to this

Jun 10, 2025 : Rick "Quiet Man"
Tornado Watch at Trail Days?

Tornado Watch at Trail Days?

Before coming to the AT, I didn’t even know what Trail Days was. Since I learned about it from the group that I hiked with in the very first week,...

May 24, 2025 : Lauren “Mothra” Mullen
FOODGASM: A day on my plate whilst hiking the Appalachian Trail

FOODGASM: A day on my plate whilst hiking the Appalachian Trail

I wake up feeling hollow and hungry. Before I eat anything there's business to be done. That business is visiting the privy to shoot some hoops. Important Business Dooties I'll...

May 18, 2025 : Katie Buxton
The day I met Shit Hand

The day I met Shit Hand

I'm currently one month into hiking the Appalachian Trail. I'm balls deep. By the time you read this I'll be 900 miles in. Jump in the time machine with me...

May 4, 2025 : Katie Buxton
New Season, New Beta: FarOut Guides Goes Big on the Maine IAT

New Season, New Beta: FarOut Guides Goes Big on the Maine IAT

In response to rising interest and trail use, the Maine section of the International Appalachian Trail (IAT) has become much more hiker-friendly following a significant upgrade on the mobile

May 1, 2025 : Robert Greenier / "Moxie"
Trailside History: 8 Fascinating Historical Sites Right off the Appalachian Trail

Trailside History: 8 Fascinating Historical Sites Right off the Appalachian Trail

The Appalachian Trail in and of itself is historical. In fact, the Appalachian Trail Conservancy is celebrating its 100th birthday this year. But did you know that strewn all along...

Apr 29, 2025 : Sheraya Smith
How I prepared for entering US immigration for my thru hike as an international hiker

How I prepared for entering US immigration for my thru hike as an international hiker

I made it into Denver! After many sleepless nights, reading lots of horror stories of people who got turned away, I was an absolute nervous wreck going through immigration. I...

Apr 26, 2025 : Scorpion Queen
Hikers Share Their Trail Names and the Stories Behind Them

Hikers Share Their Trail Names and the Stories Behind Them

Who doesn't love a good trail name story? No one knows exactly how the tradition of taking a trail name first came about, but it is undoubtedly one of the...

Apr 22, 2025 : The Editors
GA.ME On!

GA.ME On!

Explore vs. Exploit Exploration is a fundamental aspect of human nature. This drive manifests in various forms, from grand adventures to smaller ones, to everyday choices we make when ordering...

Apr 20, 2025 : Oana and Steve