Bec on the AT

Aussie gal taking the SOBO route on the Appalachian Trail from July 2022!Lawyer/runner/cyclist/triathlete/animal friend/lover of the outdoors dedicating myself to this full-time hiking business :)

Posts

Southern Maine – big mountains and big-hearted people

Southern Maine – big mountains and big-hearted people

Big Mountain Time From when I started, people told me about southern Maine. Other than Mt Katahdin, southern Maine is where all the “big boy”

Aug 11, 2022 : Bec on the AT
Views, falls and trail towns – Monson to Stratton, Maine

Views, falls and trail towns – Monson to Stratton, Maine

So I have now passed the 300km mark on my southward journey to Georgia. I'm told that soon after leaving Stratton, I will pass the "2000 miles to go"

Aug 4, 2022 : Bec on the AT
100 miles of laughs, sore feet, a big pack and animal encounters

100 miles of laughs, sore feet, a big pack and animal encounters

And so it was time for the serious business of hiking this trail. I farewelled my friend Tasha and shouldered my pack for my first full day of pack

Jul 31, 2022 : Bec on the AT
Mt Katahdin – getting there and getting up there

Mt Katahdin – getting there and getting up there

So the day of my departure had finally arrived. I was at Calgary airport with all of my possessions for the next 5-ish months in my backpack. Now it

Jul 28, 2022 : Bec on the AT
Test drive of my camp setup and final preparations for the AT

Test drive of my camp setup and final preparations for the AT

It is now less than 48 hours until I catch three planes, one bus and two shuttles to Baxter State Park, Maine to begin my through-hike attempt of the Appalachian Trail. This day has been coming for a while, but it is hard to believe it is almost here!

Jul 14, 2022 : Bec on the AT
Popping My “Hiking Up a Mountain with a Loaded Pack” Cherry

Popping My “Hiking Up a Mountain with a Loaded Pack” Cherry

It is just under 4 weeks until I start my through-hike attempt of the Appalachian Trail (actually 3 weeks, 5 days, 4 hours and 20 minutes at the time of writing this post, but who's counting?). I have done some practice hikes with my pack so far, but these have been fairly flat to date. So today I decided the day had come to load up my pack with all the earthly belonging I will have on the AT, and climb a mountain. Luckily, living in the Rocky Mountains, mountains are pretty easy to come by.

Jun 21, 2022 : Bec on the AT
How I’m Preparing for Hiking the Appalachian Trail

How I’m Preparing for Hiking the Appalachian Trail

How do you prepare for 3,500+ kilometres of hiking? How do you go from corporate lawyer life to the full-time hiker life (admittedly via 16 months of Rocky Mountain life)? How do you prepare, mentally and physically for such a giant adventure? I’m sure it is different for everyone, but this is how I’m doing it.

Jun 14, 2022 : Bec on the AT
All the Gear, No Idea – Part 2 – Pack, Shoes, and Other Essentials

All the Gear, No Idea – Part 2 – Pack, Shoes, and Other Essentials

How I made my gear decisions for my pack, shoes and food bag, and the other essentials I am bringing along

Jun 3, 2022 : Bec on the AT
All the Gear, No Idea – Part 1 – Tent and Sleep System

All the Gear, No Idea – Part 1 – Tent and Sleep System

Planning Here I was, eight months out from my proposed start date, with no gear and no idea where to start. My camping experience was mainly when I

May 31, 2022 : Bec on the AT
So How Does a Girl from Australia End Up with a Plan to Hike the Appalachian Trail?

So How Does a Girl from Australia End Up with a Plan to Hike the Appalachian Trail?

The answer, in a slightly convoluted way, is Canada, and Canada's decision to extend the age for working holiday visas to 35 years old. Once in Canada, a seed sprouted and grew into a concrete plan which means I will be hiking the Appalachian Trail Sobo from July 2022.

May 25, 2022 : Bec on the AT