Lisa Slutsken

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

Granite Gear Crown3 60 Review

Granite Gear Crown3 60 Review

Granite Gear's Crown3 60 is the much-anticipated update to the popular Crown2 model released in 2017. The new model retains key features, like good

Mar 13, 2024 : Lisa Slutsken
BRANWYN Essential Bralette Review

BRANWYN Essential Bralette Review

BRANWYN's Essential Bralette is stylish, comfortable, well-designed and well-made of quality and environmentally-friendly materials.

Jan 4, 2024 : Lisa Slutsken
Purple Rain Adventure Skirt Review

Purple Rain Adventure Skirt Review

Several years ago, I read an article in Backpacker Magazine about Anish setting her first speed record on the PCT.  It was an incredible feat but

Nov 28, 2023 : Lisa Slutsken
Inov-8 ROCFLY G 350 GTX Trail Shoe Review

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

Sep 11, 2023 : Lisa Slutsken
Tarptent Dipole 1 DW Tent Review

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

Aug 23, 2023 : Lisa Slutsken
Ibex 24 Hour Long Sleeve Low Crew Shirt Review

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.

Jul 24, 2023 : Lisa Slutsken
Zenbivy Core Bed 25 Review

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

Jun 7, 2023 : Lisa Slutsken
Gregory Jade 28 Day Pack Review

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

Jun 1, 2023 : Lisa Slutsken
EXPED Ultra 5R Sleeping Mat Review

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. 

Sep 13, 2022 : Lisa Slutsken
Here’s How to Volunteer on The Triple Crown Trails for 2022 National Trails Day

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

Jun 2, 2022 : Lisa Slutsken