This Week’s Top Instagram Posts from the #AppalachianTrail

Welcome to our weekly roundup of the most spectacularly beautiful, hilariously entertaining, and all-around best photos taken on the Appalachian Trail this past week.

This week features photos taken from Oct. 23 to Oct. 30 and were found by perusing the hashtag #TrektheAT. A thorough point-based grading system is used to pluck out the very best for your viewing pleasure. Dog photos are always favored.

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This is what it feels like to set a goal and crush it! We set a goal this Spring to finish the Appalachian Trail in Pennsylvania by November 30th. (Section hiking) We did it more than a month ahead of schedule. The greatest part of this is that my mom, age 69, me, 47, and my 5 children, ages 8,10,13,15,15 did it together….every step….every mountain….every fall (there were many!) And if that wasn’t awesome enough, the wow factor increases 100% when you realize those kids have a slew of special needs that make this a veritable challenge on so many levels. But they did it!! Another state checked off only 11 more to go! #trektheat #appalachiantrail #sectionhikers #crushedit? #goalsmatter #madespeciallife #specialneedsdoesntstopthem#proudmomma #familywhohikestogetherstaystogether

A post shared by Lisa Seaton Lease (@seatonlease) on Oct 30, 2018 at 5:36am PDT

 

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Thru-hiking isn’t easy, but it is simple. Pick yourself up every time you fall, and eventually you’ll find yourself standing on that final summit. . . . . . #appalachiantrail #trektheat #at2018 #atthruhike #thruhike #appalachianmountains #takelessdomore #appalachiantrials #letsgosomewhere #exploreeverything #finditliveit #lifeofadventure #exploremore #theoutbound #keepitwild #stayandwander #wildernessculture #choosemountains #adventurethatislife #itsbetteroutside #idratherbeinnature #wearethewild #seeyououtthere #hikertrash

A post shared by Kelsy “Beamer” Filler (@kelsytheshort) on Oct 29, 2018 at 6:19pm PDT

 

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Hawksbill Mountain – Shenandoah’s highest peak at 4050’ . The coldest day on trail by far. There was a shelter close to the side trail that lead to the peak so we ditched our packs and put on every stitch of clothing we had. We walked a blissful weightless mile up to the highest point in the park. . It was the best sunset on trail so far. I could have watched the crows dive into the gusts of wind for hours. You could tell they were playing around with each other and doing it just for the fun of it. Virginia has won my heart. . . . #appalachiantrail #appalachiantrail2018 #thruhike #thruhike2018 #naturelover #womenwhohike #getoutside #trektheat #virginiaisforlovers #hikertrash #hawksbillmountain #shenandoahnationalpark #virginia #sunset

A post shared by Emily (@landandsea_emily) on Oct 29, 2018 at 12:23pm PDT

 

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When I feel overwhelmed by the normality of life outside the woods, it’s good to remember that there are places in the world where I can swim beneath a waterfall and then hike alongside a river and no one can ask me why I’m doing it. I love knowing that the Trail, and other wild places, are out there waiting for me if I need them. • • • #trektheat #appalachiantrail #at2018 #atthruhike #thruhike #hiking #getoutside #nature #myview #travel #backpacking

A post shared by Saoirse Ibargüen, BA (@solo.saoirse) on Oct 30, 2018 at 10:50am PDT

 

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There was something about these moments on trail, when light rays would stretch through the trees. It was like hitting pause – bringing my wandering mind into the present. It never lasted long, a fleeting moment, as the clouds traveled across the sky. When I was having a rough day, it gave me a sense of hope – “I’m gonna make it, I can do this!” . The trail was beautiful, but cynical at the same time. It would dump comical amounts of rain – throwing roots, rocks and mud at my feet. But then…it would do this ? It was like when a rollercoaster ends and you start to slow down, that feeling of relief…but you know the ride isn’t over, so you take the passing moment to breath ?

A post shared by STEVEN WILLIAMS / “CANDID” (@stowawaysteve) on Oct 28, 2018 at 4:48pm PDT

 

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Day 108 // 21.7 // 1426.6 Walked up a huge mountain today making the day’s elevation just over 6.5K vertical feet. ?? Feeling good hiking until we got to the ‘Guillotine’ rock which tried to crush us. Jokes on it – we made it alive! Beautiful weather for fall, I think it hit somewhere in the 60s with full sun ☀️ Hoping this continues and the predicted rain in the forecast doesn’t show up, but the predicted 40s overnight stay! ?? #at2018 #atclassof2018 #appalachiantrail #appalachiantrail2018 #aspiringthruhiker #thruhiker #thetrek #optoutside #adventurousals #forceofnature #backpacking #hikertrash #trektheat #mtnchicksdoitbetter #whyihike #likeamountaingirl #idhikethatcrew #keepnaturewild #withguthooks #guthookguides #atlasguides #wekeepyououtdoors #SOBO #everytrailconnects #bpmag #takemebackpacking #trailchat #Lifebeyond9to5

A post shared by Allison “Flower Power” DiVerde (@adventurous_als) on Oct 28, 2018 at 4:52am PDT

 

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Friends on the trail ? #deer #at #trektheat #hike #hiking #appalachiantrail #outdoors #nature #forest

A post shared by Brittney Woodrum (@brittens11) on Oct 26, 2018 at 2:57pm PDT

 

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Loving the NY AT! #hikingwithdogs #trektheat #atsobo2018

A post shared by Joanne (@1150joey) on Oct 25, 2018 at 1:51pm PDT

 

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One month ago, I completed the Appalachian Trail. It still feels surreal to say that. I’ve been asked what I’m doing next. I’ve been asked if my life feels pointless now that I’ve done the one thing I wanted most. Here’s the thing, I don’t know what’s “next” because the present moment is all I want. And nothing feels pointless. If anything, my life and my heart feel so full. I did the trail for myself. I could only conquer it by myself. I fought daily with my mind and body, and only my own willpower could keep me going. So I feel strong. And I feel relaxed. Of course I want to have more adventures, but the AT was never just an “adventure” to me. It was everything to me. • • • #appalachiantrail #at2018 #atthruhike #trektheat #hiking #womenwhohike #getoutside #getoutdoors #myview #maine #katahdin #mountains #nature #travel #peace #journey

A post shared by Saoirse Ibargüen, BA (@solo.saoirse) on Oct 25, 2018 at 1:36pm PDT

 

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2,190.9 Every. Last. Mile. For me, the toughest part of the trail was the first 100 miles. I had to fight for every single one. I was so proud when I was able to up my mileage from 8 to 13.5. And then more surprised when, in the Smokies, I decided one late afternoon to push five more miles. I realized maybe I could do it. I just hadn’t been pushing myself. That’s when I decided I wasn’t going to skip a single mile. That I was going to keep pushing and figure out where my true limits lie. I didn’t want to betray the hiker I was back in Georgia. I had to fight so hard to get my body to carry me that far. I felt every mile. I am no athlete. I was manager of the track team in middle school, and I quit the one and only *5K* I’ve ever entered in the middle of running it. (Seriously.) And now I’ve hiked through one of the oldest mountain ranges on the planet. With total elevation changes, I’ve hiked the equivalent of 16 Mt. Everests. I’ve completed one of the longest hiking-only trails in the world. Every bit of it. I figured out on the trail I’ve got a pretty strong mental game when I actually try. I’m still not the fastest, but, when most people fade out, I can keep going. I’m real, real proud of myself for that. Do something that scares you. Do something that will surprise even yourself. Do something that will make your past self so proud. Find out where your real limits are.

A post shared by Caylee “Ramblin’ Rose” (@ramblin.rosie) on Oct 23, 2018 at 4:09am PDT

 

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Day 168: 6.9miles #AT2018 Nero // Heavy rains were due to set in by the early afternoon so we shelter hopped just 7 miles, made a fire and settled in for the downpour. We haven’t often had the luxury of avoiding bad weather but being only 23 miles from Harpers Ferry we are time rich. If you need us we’ll be in our warm quilts until the rains stop? #appalachiantrail #atflipflop #whiteblaze #forest #trail #hike #womenwhohike #optoutside #nature #trektheat #thruhike #hikertrash

A post shared by Meghan Carr | 32 | ?? ?? (@i.e.meg) on Oct 27, 2018 at 1:00pm PDT

 

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Dear Georgia – we’ve carried 30 lb packs from Maine for you. We are dirty, smelly, COLD. We have blisters and weird back knots and terrible tan lines. Watch out… we’re getting closer ? @clara.hatcher . . . . #atclassof2018 #atsobo2018 #appalachiantrailthruhike #thetrek #trektheat #thruhike2018

A post shared by Tess Cimini (@tesswalks) on Oct 29, 2018 at 8:05am PDT

 

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I’ve been back to work for a week and all I can think is that I’d rather be hiking… ?: @trailology

A post shared by Chelsea Elliott (Peanut) (@schnickel_fritz) on Oct 26, 2018 at 3:46pm PDT

 

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A couple of weekends ago I set my new longest day on trail. I wanted to see the entirety of the Roan Highlands, a 51 mile section with over 11,000 feet of elevation gain, but only had Saturday totally free. This view came from Jane Bald, roughly mile 33 on the day. Over Mountain Shelter was the finish line at 37.5 miles. Not bad considering I did zero training for it!

A post shared by Matthew Morelli (@wherethehellismatt) on Oct 26, 2018 at 9:06am PDT