Ashley Samuel

Hey! I’m Ashley (better known on the AT as Seven), and I thru-hiked the Appalachian Trail in 2018. Hiking the trail changed my life! Follow along in 2020 on my Florida Trail thru-hike!

Posts

Apples to Oranges: The Florida Trail

Apples to Oranges: The Florida Trail

A friend recently pointed out that I don’t update my blog for The Trek as often as I do social media. The truth is, my depression affects my

Jan 24, 2020 : Ashley Samuel
Life after the Trail: What’s Next?

Life after the Trail: What’s Next?

For me, the biggest surprise after my thru-hike was how quickly everyone else in my life was ready to move on. When I returned home from summiting

Dec 13, 2019 : Ashley Samuel
AT 2019: Five Female Hikers You Should Meet

AT 2019: Five Female Hikers You Should Meet

There are hundreds of women on the Appalachian Trail this year. A few of the big Instagram names have already been featured on The Trek but here

Apr 19, 2019 : Ashley Samuel
Words of Hope to the Class of 2019

Words of Hope to the Class of 2019

To my 2019 thru-hikers: I use the word “my” because I feel so protective of you all. Your bodies, your joints, your egos, your

Mar 19, 2019 : Ashley Samuel
How I Stayed Warm During My Thru-Hike

How I Stayed Warm During My Thru-Hike

Brrrr! How do I stay warm when it’s so cold on trail? Due to the elevation and weather in the mountains, hikers normally experience 

Dec 26, 2018 : Ashley Samuel
Prepare for, and Learn from, the Unexpected

Prepare for, and Learn from, the Unexpected

Hikers spend months to years planning their thru-hike. When should I set my start date? How much time should I take off from work? What backpack

Nov 29, 2018 : Ashley Samuel
Seeing the Trail in a New Way While I’m Night Hiking

Seeing the Trail in a New Way While I’m Night Hiking

Have you ever night hiked? It’s one of the most exhilarating feelings in the world. Imagine it. It’s pitch black. Your senses are

Sep 11, 2018 : Ashley Samuel
Appreciating the Beauty of the Appalachian Trail

Appreciating the Beauty of the Appalachian Trail

Right now in this moment I am sitting 50 miles south of Mount Katahdin, the summit that marks the end of my arduous 2,190 mile journey. I’m actually

Sep 5, 2018 : Ashley Samuel
Some of My Favorite Gluten-Free Foods while Thru-Hiking

Some of My Favorite Gluten-Free Foods while Thru-Hiking

Gluten-free food options aren’t as tough to find in everyday life as it used to be but there is still room for improvement in the hiking world. It’s

Aug 29, 2018 : Ashley Samuel
Blue Blazing to Some Magical Spots off the Trail

Blue Blazing to Some Magical Spots off the Trail

Some of the best spots and campsites on my thru-hike have been down a blue blaze. A blue blaze is a side trail off the main trail, and the AT has

Aug 25, 2018 : Ashley Samuel