
My name is Joanne, and I live just outside the Pisgah National Forest of NC close to Asheville. Living in Western NC offers endless opportunities for my family to do what we love - hike and chase waterfalls of course! Long distance section hiking the first 512 miles from Georgia to Virginia of the Appalachian Trail and the Continental Divide Loop in RMNP have collectively been the most amazing experiences of my life, with the exception of motherhood. I am a licensed Physical Therapist Assistant, wife, and mother to an amazing kind-spirited 23 yr old daughter. I am looking forward to sharing my experiences on The Trek in preparation for, and during my 2023 Appalachian Trail flip flop thru-hike with a NOBO start in Virginia to Katahdin Maine and a finish in Springer Mountain Georgia. Happy Hiking! “Only those who risk going too far can possibly find out how far they can go.” — T.S. Eliott Follow Me on Instagram: Joanne_Gigliotti Follow Me on YouTube: Joanne Gigliotti @jojohikes
Posts
The Final Days Of My 2023 Flip Flop AT Thru-Hike
A Recap of the Final Days Lucky Penny; Climbing the steepest mile on the Appalachian Trail, The Wildcats in NH June Floods and The Gorham
A New Hampshire Search and Rescue
Imagine hiking through some of the craziest weather in history in the New England States with record-breaking rainfalls and flooding on the
Pinch Me, I’m In New Hampshire!
Crossing Over the Connecticut River into New Hampshire I’m sitting in our travel trailer along the Connecticut River as I write this. My husband has
A Love Letter To Pennsylvania
Yes, You Read That Right - I Loved Pennsylvania! It has been entirely too long since I've posted an update. With each passing day, the miles left
Mom & Daughter Team NOBO to Katahdin
Hello Friends, I let Shenandoah and miles 400 - 500 slip by without writing a post, but for good reason! My 23-year-old daughter, Chloe, decided
On Trail Time
The Miscalculation of Time Though I will only turn 48 on the trail (see what I did there), I often find I am caught up in a psychological
Sometimes, You Have To Be Your Own “Trail Magic”
Flip Flop vs. Traditional I am quickly learning that the journey of a Flip Flop Thru Hiker is vastly different than that of a traditional NOBO from
Lucky Penny’s AT 2023 Thru-Hike [Day Zero – Day 5]
Lucky Penny's Appalachian Trail Flip-Flop Thru-Hike Day Zero - Day 5 There I was, riding shotgun in my husband's Ford pickup truck, rolling down
Lucky P’s 2023 AT Gear List
Lucky P's 2023 Appalachian Trail Thru Hiking Gear Laying all of my gear out and taking inventory of everything seems simple enough, but it can be
Unpacking Fears on the Appalachian Trail
Unpacking Fears There is an old saying on trail I love. I think it can be applied to any situation or journey in life. The first time I ever heard