Cari Pattison

I began thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail north-bound in March of 2019. With steep climbs and even steeper learning curves, the AT was everything I'd hoped it would be— until four months in, I broke my ankle in New Jersey. I returned the last two summers (2020-2021) for another six weeks and logged 400 more miles of rocks, roots, rattlesnakes, trailer-hostels, tornadoes, and trail friends. I’ve made it as far north as the border of Massachusetts and Vermont, and plan to finish the remainder of the trail during a sabbatical in 2023. In my other life I’m a minister at the Woodstock Reformed Church in Woodstock, New York, where I also work at a bookstore and teach yoga. Come say “hi” if you’re in the area!

Posts

Power to Petites: Thru-Hiking Tips for Small Women

Power to Petites: Thru-Hiking Tips for Small Women

(Originally published June 2019; updated September 2020) Acing a long hike on short legs There’s a gap in Virginia just for us! An

Aug 25, 2020 : Cari Pattison
Thru-Hiking Through Grief: How Widower Randy Fuller’s 2019 Hike Changed His Life

Thru-Hiking Through Grief: How Widower Randy Fuller’s 2019 Hike Changed His Life

I don't remember when I met Randy Fuller, aka Survivor, but I know when I said goodbye. Last July, both of us were midway through our northbound

Mar 18, 2020 : Cari Pattison
How the Hike Changes You: Reflections from 2019 Appalachian Trail Thru-Hikers

How the Hike Changes You: Reflections from 2019 Appalachian Trail Thru-Hikers

“It’s official,” I told my friend on the phone as I stepped outside and braced against the cold. “I just blew up my life.” The day was January 6,

Jan 21, 2020 : Cari Pattison
8 Ways Thru-hiking Prepares You for Life’s Falls

8 Ways Thru-hiking Prepares You for Life’s Falls

How thru-hiking unexpectedly equipped me for life’s setbacks

Aug 14, 2019 : Cari Pattison
Notes from the AT Disabled List

Notes from the AT Disabled List

"... The problems of the human heart in conflict with itself - only that is worth writing about, worth the agony and the sweat." - William

Aug 10, 2019 : Cari Pattison
And That’s How She Got Off Trail

And That’s How She Got Off Trail

What finally took me off trail for 2019

Aug 1, 2019 : Cari Pattison
Finding Your People on a Thru-Hike

Finding Your People on a Thru-Hike

What I learned about loving the ones you’re with

Jul 11, 2019 : Cari Pattison
Ready to quit the Appalachian Trail? Read this first.

Ready to quit the Appalachian Trail? Read this first.

When things get tough and something’s got to give

Jul 5, 2019 : Cari Pattison
7 Things to Ask While Thru-hiking

7 Things to Ask While Thru-hiking

A few questions worth asking, from the triple-crown section of AT Virginia

Jun 5, 2019 : Cari Pattison
Five Things Thru-Hiking Teaches You

Five Things Thru-Hiking Teaches You

(Or what it's teaching me.) “And we would walk 500 miles and we would walk 1,700 more...” Five lessons after 500 miles Thoughts on tragedy, Trail

May 26, 2019 : Cari Pattison