Penina Crocker

I'm Penina, known on trail as Pastor. After COVID-19 hit in the middle of college, I decided I needed the polar opposite of Zoom school, so I spent the summer outside. In the summer of 2021, I did a PCT LASH through the desert and Sierra sections, followed by a bike tour across the western United States and down the Pacific coast.

Posts

Stunning Documentary Sequel “Why Do I Hike 2” Shows the True Hardships of Thru-Hiking

Stunning Documentary Sequel “Why Do I Hike 2” Shows the True Hardships of Thru-Hiking

"Why Do I Hike 2: Hardships of a Thru-Hike" is a 1.5-hour documentary by Croatian filmmaker and thru-hiker, Nikola Horvat, aka "Tesla" about his 2022

Dec 14, 2023 : Penina Crocker
DEET vs Picaridin vs Natural Insect Repellent for Backpacking

DEET vs Picaridin vs Natural Insect Repellent for Backpacking

My husband and I were in the Sierra Nevada right after peak snowmelt. Those who know, know: right after peak snowmelt comes peak mosquitos. We had

Dec 27, 2022 : Penina Crocker
Her Odyssey: Meet the Women Who Traveled 18,000 Miles Across the Americas By Foot, Boat, and Bicycle

Her Odyssey: Meet the Women Who Traveled 18,000 Miles Across the Americas By Foot, Boat, and Bicycle

Bethany "Fidgit" Hughes and Lauren "Neon" Reed recently completed their 18,000-mile human-powered expedition from the tip of Patagonia to the Arctic

Dec 6, 2022 : Penina Crocker
The Thru-Hiker Gift Guide

The Thru-Hiker Gift Guide

It’s that time of year again. If you’re looking for the perfect gift guide for the thru-hiker in your life, never fear: we’re here to help. From the

Nov 21, 2022 : Penina Crocker
Outside Lays Off 12% of Staff in Second Round of Layoffs This Year

Outside Lays Off 12% of Staff in Second Round of Layoffs This Year

Outside Inc., the parent company of outdoor magazines including Backpacker, Outside, and Fastest Known Time, laid off 12% of its staff on Tuesday in

Nov 17, 2022 : Penina Crocker
What Is a Tent Vestibule?

What Is a Tent Vestibule?

What is a tent vestibule? Do all tents have them? How do I set mine up? Help! A vestibule on the Big Agnes Tiger Wall. You can pin back half of

Nov 16, 2022 : Penina Crocker
New AT Documentary Is a Moving Portrait of Trail Life with an Eating Disorder

New AT Documentary Is a Moving Portrait of Trail Life with an Eating Disorder

"You don't climb mountains without food in your belly," says Aster Wells-Byers in the film, "Food in your Belly." The 15-minute documentary, directed

Nov 14, 2022 : Penina Crocker
What Is a Tent Footprint (And Do You Need One)?

What Is a Tent Footprint (And Do You Need One)?

What is a tent footprint? In short, a tent footprint is a groundcloth that goes under your tent's bathtub floor to protect it and keep it clean and

Nov 10, 2022 : Penina Crocker
Two Women Complete 18,000-Mile Journey Across Americas

Two Women Complete 18,000-Mile Journey Across Americas

Her Odyssey is the name given by two women to their six-plus year, 18,000-plus-mile non-motorized journey across the Americas. Bethany "Fidgit"

Nov 3, 2022 : Penina Crocker
Garmin Just Released Data from 10,000 SOS Incidents, and It’s Fascinating

Garmin Just Released Data from 10,000 SOS Incidents, and It’s Fascinating

Over one-third of SOS requests placed via Garmin inReach over the last 11 years were from hikers or backpackers, according to data from over 10,000

Oct 31, 2022 : Penina Crocker