Advice
Expensive Backpacking Gear That’s REALLY Worth Your Money
Last week, we talked about what backpacking gear is NOT worth your hard-earned cash. Now, I'm breaking down my philosophy on what gear you SHOULD invest in, and where you...
11 Awesome Snow-Free Winter Thru-Hikes
Snow really isn't my thing. Does it turn trails into absolutely breathtaking wonderlands? Definitely. Do I enjoy hiking through it? Nope. If you're like me and love cold-weather hiking without...
Should You Bring a Sun Umbrella on the Appalachian Trail?
They’re a little quirky, a little unconventional, but hiking umbrellas have become a popular backpacking accessory in recent years. They’re especially handy on arid western trails, where hikers can
Why Most CDT Hikers Leave the Official Trail to Hike This Unique Alternate
The Continental Divide Trail is a 3,038.2-mile trail from Mexico to Canada, spanning five states and largely adhering to the geographic Continental Divide of the country. Technically. In practice,
Do You Actually Need a Satellite Messenger on the Appalachian Trail?
Do you actually need a satellite messenger on the Appalachian Trail? Well, no, not strictly speaking — but many hikers bring one anyway, and here’s why. Although satellite messengers are...
Ultralight Is Taking Over Thru-Hiking … Or Is It?
Backpacking gear has been getting steadily lighter for decades, a trend that only seems to have accelerated in recent years. The Trek's own AT thru-hiker surveys reveal that hikers have
I Swapped My $600 Ultralight Tent for a 5.5 oz Tarp
I wanted to try thru-hiking without a traditional tent primarily to carry less weight on my back. An autumn thru-hike of the Long Trail provided the perfect testing ground for...
Almost All Successful Thru-Hikers Have These 4 Things in Common
I was tempted to quit my 2021 Appalachian Trail thru-hike before ever leaving Springer Mountain. I had no clue what I was doing, and I could barely even lift my...
What 800 Miles of Fart-Flavored CDT Cow Troughs Taught Me About Water Filtration
Most of my thru-hikes have been through areas with natural water I can only describe as delicious. My first trail was the Colorado Trail, where early-summer snow runoff gave me...
A Typical PCT Thru-Hike Cost $10,000 in 2025. Here’s How We Did It for Just $6,000 Each
For years, my husband and I knew we would eventually hike the Pacific Crest Trail. We met while thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail in 2021, and after summiting Katahdin, we knew...
