Advice
The Best Shoes For Road Walking: Topo Specter 2 Review
Over the last few years of backpacking across the USA and Canada I’ve really managed to dial in my gear. I’ve tested out all sorts of different equipment, looking for...
The Best Backpacking Tents for Thru-Hiking in 2025
Choosing a tent for your thru-hike is a big deal, but it's also probably the least stressful home-buying experience you'll have in your lifetime. Enjoy it. The best backpacking tents...
Thru-Hiking With Eczema (and How My Body Surprised Me Along the Way)
Developing severe eczema in my 20s has drastically reshaped what I thought this decade would look like. The romantic ideas I once had about my young adult life — traveling...
The Allegheny Trail: 311 Miles Through Wild and Wonderful West West Virginia
The Allegheny Trail (ALT) travels north to south through the Allegheny Mountains of West Virginia. The trail begins at the Mason-Dixon Line on the Pennsylvania border and extends south to...
Calendar Year Triple Crown Gear List
In the next few days I will be embarking on my biggest adventure yet! Attempting to complete the “border to border” calendar year triple crown. Walking from key west to...
I Survived a Flash Flood on the CDT: Here’s How
When I was preparing to thru-hike the Continental Divide Trail, I considered all sorts of variables: the season in which I would be going, the weather, the terrain, etc. Many...
My Secret to CDT Success? Eating a Whole Stick of Butter Every Day During My Thru-Hike
Yes, really. I ate an entire stick of butter most days while hiking the CDT this year. In a world dominated by diet culture, healthy eating hacks, and calorie reduction...
The HexaTrek: 3034 Kilometers of French Wilderness, Culture, and History
The HexaTrek is the new thru-hike shooting to the top of wish lists around the world. I hiked the trail in 2024 and can tell you – that’s for good...
I Have A Permit–What Now?
After the stress of figuring out the permit process, worrying about whether or not you'll snag one and then the giant sigh of relief when you get that sweet confirmation...
You’re Not a Real Thru-Hiker if You Do This
Hey hiker! I heard you just completed a thru-hike. I have just one question for you: did you walk the entire trail? Every single red-line mile? No skipping, alternates, or...