Kate Richard

I'm Kate, aka Stickers on the trail. After growing up in New England, the Appalachian Trail was on my bucket list and I completed my thru hike of the AT in 2017. That got me hooked on the hiking lifestyle and I thru hiked the Pacific Crest Trail in 2019. Nowadays, I'm a weekend warrior living in Portland, OR getting outside and traveling all over the West as much as possible.

Posts

REI Flash 22 Minimalist Day Pack Review

REI Flash 22 Minimalist Day Pack Review

With so many day packs to choose from these days, it's tough to find the perfect one that has everything you need. The REI Flash 22 hits all of my

Oct 4, 2023 : Kate Richard
Ibex Wool Aire Hoodie Review

Ibex Wool Aire Hoodie Review

Are you looking for a puffy jacket that can do it all? Are you a fan of merino wool? Wait, how are those related, you ask? Let me tell you about the

Jul 3, 2023 : Kate Richard
Zpacks Mummy Sleeping Bag Review

Zpacks Mummy Sleeping Bag Review

Not sold on quilts but don't want to compromise on weight? The main reason to move to a quilt was always to save weight, for me at least. Bringing

May 16, 2023 : Kate Richard
My Hayduke Gear List

My Hayduke Gear List

As one of the Trek's gear nerds, it would be almost criminal to not make a post about the gear I'm taking on my upcoming thru-hike. I'll be leaving

Apr 4, 2023 : Kate Richard
Sierra Designs Flex Hike Day Pack Review

Sierra Designs Flex Hike Day Pack Review

Do you go on a variety of short adventures with different gear needs? Have you ever had trouble finding the perfect size for a day pack because you

Mar 30, 2023 : Kate Richard
Rossignol SKPR 2.5L Rain Jacket Review

Rossignol SKPR 2.5L Rain Jacket Review

In my mind, the perfect rain jacket is like a unicorn: it doesn’t exist. A breathable jacket that also keeps you dry  is just too hard to find. The

Mar 9, 2023 : Kate Richard
Top Stoves, Filters, and Power Banks on the Appalachian Trail: 2022 Thru-Hiker Survey

Top Stoves, Filters, and Power Banks on the Appalachian Trail: 2022 Thru-Hiker Survey

Each year here at The Trek, we ask long-distance hikers on the Appalachian Trail (AT) about the stoves and water filters they used on their 2022

Feb 16, 2023 : Kate Richard
REI Co-op Swiftland Hybrid Running Pants Review

REI Co-op Swiftland Hybrid Running Pants Review

Every year as summer changes into fall, I struggle to find a pair of pants to keep me warm and dry while I'm hiking or backpacking. The Swiftland

Feb 7, 2023 : Kate Richard
Top Backpacks on the Appalachian Trail: 2022 Thru-Hiker Survey

Top Backpacks on the Appalachian Trail: 2022 Thru-Hiker Survey

Each year here at The Trek, we ask long-distance hikers on the Appalachian Trail (AT) about the backpack they used during their thru-hikes. In this

Jan 31, 2023 : Kate Richard
The Top Sleeping Bags, Quilts, and Pads on the Appalachian Trail: 2022 Thru-Hiker Survey

The Top Sleeping Bags, Quilts, and Pads on the Appalachian Trail: 2022 Thru-Hiker Survey

Each year here at The Trek, we ask long-distance hikers on the Appalachian Trail (AT) about the sleeping systems they used on their 2022 thru-hike.

Jan 17, 2023 : Kate Richard