Advice
Meeting a Thru-Hiker at Katahdin? Here’s What You Should Know.
Many Appalachian Trail thru-hikers meet up with family and friends when they reach Baxter State Park. Katahdin, the highest peak in Maine, is a remarkable mountain and a popular destination...
Common Leave No Trace Mistakes Made By Thru Hikers, and How To Avoid Them
It’s time to have an honest talk about Leave No Trace and thru hikers. Yes, most of us know the principles, and what it takes to accurately follow them, but...
How to Stay Safe While Hiking During Wildfire Season
Wildfire season in the West is unfortunately back with a vengeance, which means smoke filled forests and closures across many long trails throughout the nation. It seems as though wildfires...
The Beginner’s Guide To Desert Hiking
Hooray! Your first desert vacation is booked and on the calendar. As you begin prepping your boots and letting dreams of red rocks fill your head, it’s important to start...
7 Simple Things I Wish I’d Known Before My First Thru-Hike
The Appalachian Trail was my first thru-hike and my first substantial hike of any kind. I prepared myself for the undertaking as best I could—obsessive research, elaborate budget spreadsheets,
Tips for Hiking the Long Trail
Trek contributor Saoirse "Story" Ibargüen is an avid hiker, reader, and storyteller. She has hiked some of the most interesting trails across the globe (including the West Highland Way). After
Flip-Flopping From Katahdin? Here’s What You Need to Know.
Every year around this time, would-be NOBO AT thru-hikers flip north to Katahdin and start hiking southbound instead. Hikers choose to flip up to Katahdin for a variety of reasons....
Backcountry Campfires: A Relic of the Past
The following is a guest post courtesy of Paul Magnanti of PMags.com. rel•ic rĕl′ĭk n. Something that has survived the passage of time, especially an object or custom whose original...
The Olympic North Coast: 19 Miles of Magical Coastline in Olympic National Park
Note: Much of this hike is on Makah tribal lands, and the Makah reservation is currently closed to outside visitors due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Please check local restrictions and...
Triple-Digit Temps Forecast for PCT This Weekend Amid Dangerous Heatwave
The National Weather Service (NWS) is warning of a "record-breaking and dangerous heatwave" forecast to slam the Pacific Northwest starting this weekend. "All-time June monthly records could also be