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ATC Will Not Recognize Thru-Hikes During Pandemic
The Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC) indicated in a post on January 21st that they will not issue hangtags or recognize thru-hikes while the COVID-19 pandemic is still raging. "We do...
The 2020 AT Section Hiker Survey: Companions and Demographics
Long overlooked in our annual surveys, Appalachian Trail (AT) section hikers were the focus of this year’s survey. We surveyed 448 people, 43 of whom had completed the entire AT...
Appalachian Trail Gear List for Older Hikers (Beginner-Friendly)
Meet my stepmom, Nora. She’s loved hiking all her life and has dreamed about hiking the Appalachian Trail since she was in her 20s. Now at the age of 60...
How I Saved Hundreds on My AT Thru-Hike Gear List
As a brand new blogger for The Trek, I was so excited to use the gear list feature. I know I've spent many hours this past year diving into any...
The 2020 AT Section Hiker Survey: Motives and Logistics
Long overlooked in our annual surveys, Appalachian Trail (AT) section hikers were the focus of this year's survey. We surveyed 448 people, 34 of whom had completed the entire AT...
Yellow Finch Tree Sitters Continue to Defy Mountain Valley Pipeline
Sitting high in the trees in Montgomery County, Virginia, the tree sitters off Yellow Finch Lane are in their 853rd day of blockading construction of the Mountain Valley Pipeline (MVP)...
My Five Favorite Hiking Foods That I Eat Every Day
Walking in nature makes us feel all kinds of things. Nostalgic, grateful, and mostly, hungry. I used to eat granola bars once in a while when I worked at the...
My Favorite Gear for an Appalachian Trail Thru-Hike
Last week we reviewed Saoirse “Story” Ibargüen’s biggest gear regrets from her 2018 Appalachian Thru-Hike. Now that you know what not to bring on the AT, it’s time we recommended...
Uncertainty and Strife: Thru-Hiking Permits in the Time of COVID-19
As 2020 winds down, a third wave of COVID-19 infections is engulfing the United States, with the number of daily cases more than tripling over the previous August high and...
Punchbowl Mountain Dreamin’
I have been trying to get back to the Appalachian Trail for years. The last time I camped overnight on the trail was in August 2000, when I did a...