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Katie Jackson

I'm Katie, a thru-hiker and ultrarunner based in Colorado. After thru-hiking the Colorado Trail, John Muir Trail, and Continental Divide Trail in back-to-back years, I'm looking forward to a little time of rest, relaxation, and writing. Or, who knows, maybe the AT. No one has ever accused me of being good at sitting still. Follow along on my journey with the articles below, or through my photography on Instagram (@k80.trail).

Posts

Measure To Sell Off 500,000 Acres of Public Land Struck From “Big, Beautiful Bill” During 11th Hour Hearing

Measure To Sell Off 500,000 Acres of Public Land Struck From “Big, Beautiful Bill” During 11th Hour Hearing

In a victory for conservationists, language that would have allowed for the sale of half a million acres of public land in Nevada and Utah was

May 22, 2025 : Katie Jackson
12 Epic Peakbagging Lists Across the World

12 Epic Peakbagging Lists Across the World

Peakbagging — the pursuit of summiting all the peaks included in a set list— has inspired climbers and hikers worldwide to set some ambitious goals.

May 21, 2025 : Katie Jackson
Florida State Parks Protected From Harmful Commercial Development in Bipartisan Victory

Florida State Parks Protected From Harmful Commercial Development in Bipartisan Victory

In a move being celebrated across the state, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has pledged to sign into law the "State Park Preservation Act," securing

May 19, 2025 : Katie Jackson
Missing Sierra Hiker Found Alive at Popular PCT Pitstop After Weeks Lost in the Backcountry

Missing Sierra Hiker Found Alive at Popular PCT Pitstop After Weeks Lost in the Backcountry

A Georgia woman on a cross-country trip has been found alive after being missing for nearly three weeks in the snow-covered Sierra Nevada mountains.

May 16, 2025 : Katie Jackson
47 Years Later, the CDT Still Isn’t Complete — New Legislation in Congress Aims To Change That

47 Years Later, the CDT Still Isn’t Complete — New Legislation in Congress Aims To Change That

Legislation aimed at completing the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail was reintroduced in the U.S. Senate last month, according to trail

May 15, 2025 : Katie Jackson
AT Thru-Hikers Are Losing a Shocking Amount of Weight On-Trail: Here’s How To Not Lose Too Much

AT Thru-Hikers Are Losing a Shocking Amount of Weight On-Trail: Here’s How To Not Lose Too Much

You've probably heard about "hiker hunger" and the legendary weight loss that often comes with thru-hiking, but you may be wondering to what extent

May 14, 2025 : Katie Jackson
Is Hiking the Appalachian Trail Solo a Terrible Idea?

Is Hiking the Appalachian Trail Solo a Terrible Idea?

Spoiler alert: probably not. The idea of setting out on a multi-month thru-hike can be both exhilarating and daunting, particularly for those

May 6, 2025 : Katie Jackson
Climber Rescued From Mt. Fuji for Second Time in a Week After Returning to Mountain for Lost Phone

Climber Rescued From Mt. Fuji for Second Time in a Week After Returning to Mountain for Lost Phone

A 27-year-old Chinese university student living in Japan required rescue from Mount Fuji not once, but twice, within a four-day span this week,

May 1, 2025 : Katie Jackson
Yosemite Valley Backpackers Campground to Open as Scheduled, Reversing Previous Closure Decision

Yosemite Valley Backpackers Campground to Open as Scheduled, Reversing Previous Closure Decision

In a significant turn of events for wilderness travelers, Yosemite National Park has reversed its recent decision to close the Yosemite Valley

Apr 30, 2025 : Katie Jackson
Mother of Four Dies After Fall During Hike in Massachusetts State Park

Mother of Four Dies After Fall During Hike in Massachusetts State Park

A family hike at Purgatory Chasm State Reservation in Sutton, Massachusetts ended in tragedy on Wednesday when Carolyn "Carrie" Sanger, a 49-year-old

Apr 29, 2025 : Katie Jackson