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
How Do AT Thru-Hikers Get Enough Time Off Work To Complete the Trail?
Let's get real for a minute. You see the photos, you read the blogs – scores of hikers hitting the Appalachian Trail for five, six, sometimes seven
Yosemite Campground Closure Will Disrupt Backpackers — Including JMT and PCT Thru-Hikers
Yosemite National Park has announced the closure of its primary backpackers camp located in Yosemite Valley, effective for the entire 2025 season.
The Critical Piece of Gear Backpackers Don’t Talk About: Garmin Instinct 3 Solar Smartwatch Review
Over the past few weeks, I've been testing the Garmin Instinct 3 solar watch to assess how it fits into my everyday life as well as my time in the
These Are the Biggest Reasons Hikers Didn’t Finish the Appalachian Trail Last Year
Every year, thousands of hopefuls set out from Springer Mountain or Katahdin, dreaming of completing a full thru-hike of the Appalachian
Where Do You Need a Bear Canister on the PCT?
Bear canisters are required to keep your food secure — and, more importantly, to prevent bears from becoming habituated to human food — on several
Appalachian Trail Conservancy Head Sandi Marra Announces Retirement
Sandra (Sandi) Marra, who has served as President and CEO of the Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC) since July 2019, has announced her retirement.
These Are the Worst Sections of the Appalachian Trail, According to Thru-Hikers
In our recent 2024 Appalachian Trail Thru-Hiker Survey, respondents didn’t hold back when naming the sections that left them less than impressed.
This Subscription Will Cover Your Rescue Expenses if You Hit SOS
I spend a lot of time in the backcountry, which prompts the need for a reliable plan if things go wrong. While I've always carried a satellite
“Signing That Letter Was a Mistake”: REI Retracts Endorsement of Controversial Trump Cabinet Pick
Three months after controversially endorsing former North Dakota governor Doug Burgum for Secretary of the Interior, REI is backtracking. "We
Public Health Scare Impacts Popular Town on PCT
The Eastern Sierra Nevada region of California — an iconic segment of the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) — is now at the center of a serious public health