Natalie Nicols

Hey there! I’m Natalie. My dad Mark and I (Salty Dawg and Glam Girl) are setting out to thru-hike the Appalachian Trail February 28. Born and raised in the Western Maine Mountains, the AT has always felt close to home. I grew up exploring New England via hiking, mountain biking, skiing, and running with my dad, family, and friends. We are beyond grateful and excited to have the opportunity to thru-hike the AT this year. My blog will explore daily reflections from the trail (including the highs and lows), nutrition, and what fuels us to keep trekking. Follow our journey along!

Posts

Day 11&12, Leaving the NOC and start of Smokies

Day 11&12, Leaving the NOC and start of Smokies

Hiked out of NOC today, 19.5 miles and 6586 ft of climbing. Had a 4000 foot climb in the first 8 miles of the day. Legs felt well rested after a

Mar 18, 2025 : Natalie Nicols
Day 9&10 (first zero day)

Day 9&10 (first zero day)

Today was another beautiful day on the trail with amazing weather. We got in early to our campsite last night so we went to bed early for us around

Mar 16, 2025 : Natalie Nicols
Day 8 & One week out thoughts

Day 8 & One week out thoughts

Day 8: Definitely warmer today. Had a nice climb. Warmer weather and warmer night including making our first campfire on the trail. A shorter day

Mar 13, 2025 : Natalie Nicols
Day 7.. hit 100th mile on AT, cold morning turned to beautiful day

Day 7.. hit 100th mile on AT, cold morning turned to beautiful day

My dad woke up at 4 AM to pee and did a little tent maintenance by removing snow off the roof. We went back to sleep and woke up with the sun. Our

Mar 6, 2025 : Natalie Nicols
Day 6❄️❄️❄️

Day 6❄️❄️❄️

It was nice to have an overnight stay in a hotel, especially due to the overnight rain and high winds. Today’s forecast did not look great either,

Mar 5, 2025 : Natalie Nicols
Day 4&5 (trail name day!!) Salty Dawg and Glam Girl🐾✨

Day 4&5 (trail name day!!) Salty Dawg and Glam Girl🐾✨

17.5 miles today. This was following a 20 mile day so our legs were more tired than normal. We thought throughout the day that the hiking was more

Mar 5, 2025 : Natalie Nicols
Day 3: 20 miler

Day 3: 20 miler

Day number three.  Very cold night.  My dad and I are prepared though with our 0° sleeping bags, liners and puffy hoods, booties, etc.

Mar 4, 2025 : Natalie Nicols
Day ✌️

Day ✌️

Second day on the Appalachian Trail! And as it turns out our first night camping on the Appalachian Trail has come to a close. It was not exactly a

Mar 3, 2025 : Natalie Nicols
First day on trail (AT)

First day on trail (AT)

Well, this is it the start of our epic journey to our home State of Maine, my dad and I feel blessed to be able to do this together and to be able

Mar 2, 2025 : Natalie Nicols
It’s getting real #ATCLASSOF2025

It’s getting real #ATCLASSOF2025

This morning we woke up at 3:40 for a 6 AM flight. Travel day was very smooth. Ron from Ron’s shuttles picked us up in his Toyota forerunner that

Mar 1, 2025 : Natalie Nicols