Advice
Moose and Thru-Hiking: Your Questions Answered
Recently, an Idaho backpacker was forced to shoot and kill a bull moose that was charging at him and his dog. The man had his camp set up at Harrison...
Weighing The Potential Health Risks Of Thru Hiking
Doing almost 12 hours of cardio each day paired with endless time in fresh mountain air makes for a pretty healthy lifestyle, right? Unfortunately, this may not always be the...
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...