
Diane Duffard
Hi! I'm Diane, but I also answer to Firefly. I discovered backpacking in college and thru-hiked the Appalachian Trail in 2016, followed by the Pacific Crest Trail in 2018. If I'm not hiking, I can usually be found writing, gardening, or hanging out with my dog, Theo.
Posts
11 AT and PCT Thru-Hikers Share Their Favorite Gear
As the 2023 thru-hiking season draws to a close, we’ve asked our Appalachian Trail and Pacific Crest Trail finishers to share which gear items became
10 Awesome Snow-Free Winter Thru-Hikes
Snow really isn't my thing. Does it turn trails into absolutely breathtaking wonderlands? Definitely. Do I enjoy hiking through it? Nope. If you're
7 Pacific Crest Trail Thru-Hikers Share Their Favorite and Most Challenging Sections
As the 2023 thru-hiking season draws to a close, we’ve asked our Pacific Crest Trail finishers to share their thoughts on which parts of the trail
8 Appalachian Trail Thru-Hikers Share Their Favorite and Most Challenging Sections
As the 2023 thru-hiking season draws to a close, we’ve asked our Appalachian Trail finishers to share their thoughts on which parts of the trail were
Wildfires Close Sections of the Appalachian Trail
Last week, wildfires closed sections of the Appalachian Trail and the Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina and Virginia, and containment is still in
7 Pacific Crest Trail Thru-Hikers Share Their Top Advice
As the 2023 thru-hiking season draws to a close, we’ve asked our Pacific Crest Trail finishers to share what they’ve learned throughout their
Appalachian Trail Landmark, Overmountain Shelter, to be Removed
Overmountain Shelter, a popular stop for thru-hikers on the Appalachian Trail near Roan Mountain, Tennessee, was closed four years ago due to
8 Appalachian Trail Thru-Hikers Share Their Top Advice
As the 2023 thru-hiking season draws to a close, we’ve asked our Appalachian Trail finishers to share what they’ve learned throughout their journeys.
How to Layer for Cold Weather Hiking and Backpacking
In the desert, I was a sweaty mess during the day and a human ice cube at night. When walking in the mountains, I hiked under clear blue skies, only
CDC Investigation Finds Norovirus Risk Everywhere in PCT Cabin
A norovirus outbreak on the PCT in 2022 led the CDC to open an investigation. What they discovered was shocking.