Advice
Thru-Hikers Consistently Say These Are the 7 Best Sections of the Appalachian Trail
In the latest installment of the Appalachian Trail Thru-Hiker Survey, 389 respondents shared fresh insights into their overall trail experiences — including their favorite sections of the AT. Once
Graupel, Park Rangers, and Pastries
Day 1 on trail started with a pit stop for an espresso on the way to the Coronado National Memorial Visitor Center where I said goodbye to Diogenes in his...
Peaks of the Balkans: 114 Unforgettable Miles in the Albanian Alps
I had the privilege of hiking the Peaks of the Balkans trail last September, and I haven't been able to stop thinking about it since. This 114-mile loop includes stages...
A Surprising Bucket List Item I Had No Idea About
I was raised fairly conservatively. I suppose that's the reason I can count on one hand how many times I've actually been skinny dipping Ironically, all 4 times have been...
7 Apps You Should Download Before Your Next Hike
So, you’ve downloaded FarOut, Gaia, Goat Maps, AllTrails, or some other mapping app that’ll keep you from walking in circles for six months. Great! But what about the times when...
Fall 7 Times, Stand up 8
If you happened to read thru my bio, you'll see that I completed my first thru-hike in 2012 - a Southbound hike of the Appalachian Trail. What you don't know...
You’re Probably Extinguishing Your Campfire Wrong — and There Could Be Legal Ramifications
When I think back to childhood camping trips, I remember the soft glow of fireflies, the crisp night air, and the comforting warmth of a crackling campfire. Never once did...
33 Bucket-List Hikes You Can Do in a Long Weekend
Sometimes you just want to go for a good backpacking trip without having to quit your job or leave your entire life behind. I've handpicked shorter backpacking trails from every...
Planning a West Highland Way Thru-Hike Can Be Intimidating, but These 10 Tips Make It Easy
Scenic vistas, tranquil rivers, sprawling sheep pastures, and plenty of whiskey. All that and more could be yours if you venture to Scotland to hike the West Highland Way (WHW)....
Step by Step: The Thru-Hike CDT Edition
My Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) thru-hiker name is Brainstorm. In 2023, I completed the PCT after graduating from school—something I had dreamed about since 2015. I remember the earlier years...