
I'm a passionate hiker and educator based in the Pacific Northwest. I started thru-hiking to help me battle mental illness and prove to myself just how amazing I am. Over the last few years I've section hiked about 40% of the Pacific Crest Trail and countless other trails up and down the West Coast as well as part of Te Araroa in New Zealand Much of my hiking is covered on my website - westcoasthikergirl.com
Posts
Inov-8 ROCFLY G 350 GTX Trail Shoe Review
Long-distance hikers ask a lot of their footwear. We need our shoes to be lightweight, comfortable, energy-efficient, and last for hundreds and
Tarptent Dipole 1 DW Tent Review
The average long trail thru-hiker will spend between 1,000 and 1,500 hours inside their tent. With that in mind, it’s no wonder that choosing a tent
Ibex 24 Hour Long Sleeve Low Crew Shirt Review
The Ibex 24 Hour Long Sleeve Crew is a comfortable and versatile shirt that packs in the best features of merino wool. Hiking ready.
Zenbivy Core Bed 25 Review
Thru-hikers love the backcountry quilt. Over half of the respondents to our annual Appalachian Trail Thru-Hiker Survey in 2022 said they chose a
Gregory Jade 28 Day Pack Review
Day hikes are a weekly occurrence in my life and the lives of many other Pacific Northwesterners. I often keep my pack stashed in my car, along with
EXPED Ultra 5R Sleeping Mat Review
EXPED’s recent release of their “Ultra” series of sleeping mats offers adventurers a lightweight and compact inflatable mat with multiple options for shape, size and warmth. This, plus their commitment to high quality and sustainability, put them on the map as an industry leader in the USA.
Here’s How to Volunteer on The Triple Crown Trails for 2022 National Trails Day
Have you wondered what comes next after you've completed your thru-hike? Besides heading out on another thru-hike, many hikers choose to give back to
Zenbivy Light Bed 10 Review
I’ve slept in a half dozen different women’s mummy bags and quilts over my years of backpacking and have never been completely satisfied or particularly comfortable. That is, until this year when Zenbivy released their redesigned Light Bed.
Six Moon Designs Owyhee Tarp Review
Brand new for 2021, Six Moon Designs’ Owyhee Tarp is based on the design of the hyperlight Owyhee Wild tarp made with Dyneema fabric and released a season before. Designed with less expensive but still incredibly lightweight fabric, the new Owyhee Tarp includes a couple additional features such as a detachable bathtub floor, a clothesline and stash pockets. Six Moon Design's Owyhee Tarp offers a compromise between weight and cost while offering some key features of a comfortable 2-person tent.
Gear Review: Xero Shoes Mesa Trail
I first learned about Xero shoes from an ad in a popular hiking magazine. It was a sandal, rolled up into a small circle, loosely held between a