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, countless other trails up and down the West Coast, parts of the Appalachian trail and Te Araroa on the south island of New Zealand.

Posts

Jasper National Park Evacuated and Closed Due to Wildfires

Jasper National Park Evacuated and Closed Due to Wildfires

Jasper National Park in Alberta, Canada has been evacuated and is closed to all visitors. The 4,200 square mile park is the largest national park in the Canadian Rockies and includes 144 miles of the 700-mile long Great Divide Trail.

Jul 26, 2024 : Lisa Slutsken
Gossamer Gear Gorilla 50 Review

Gossamer Gear Gorilla 50 Review

This year, Gossamer Gear massively overhauled their most popular packs, including the Gorilla. Designed with the more minimalist hiker in mind, the

May 23, 2024 : Lisa Slutsken
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