Advice
How to Reduce Base Weight Without Replacing Your Big Three
If you're not ready to replace your tent, sleeping bag and backpack don’t worry! There’s still plenty you can do to reduce your base weight.
Gear Wars: Somewear Global Hotspot Vs. Garmin inReach Mini
Satellite-enabled location tracking, backcountry GPS units, and off-grid texting have become almost ubiquitous when it comes to long-distance hiking. Whether you're on an extended trip on a
How to Choose the Proper Rain Gear for Your Hike
This is a sponsored post brought to you by REI. Check out an REI Hiking Course near you. Angry storm clouds swirl overhead as icy rain drenches the alpine landscape...
The Trail Doesn’t Cost a Thing (But the Gear Does): How to Get Out There Without Blowing Your Paycheck
There comes a time in life that the desire to be “out there” hits. If you are anything like me, you’re probably in your late 20s—maybe even the latest part...
How to Pack a Backpack for Thru-Hiking
So you’ve got all this gear ready to go… but now what? While out backpacking, everything that you need is carried on your back, in this pack. You’ll pack and...
2019 Appalachian Trail Thru-Hiker Survey: Top Tents and Shelters
Each year, The Trek surveys long-distance hikers on the Appalachian Trail (AT) regarding the shelter systems they use, such as tents and hammocks. In this post we cover the types...
The Top Footwear on the Appalachian Trail: 2019 AT Thru-Hiker Survey
Each year as part of The Trek’s annual thru-hiker survey, we ask hikers about the footwear they used, and this footwear data remains my favorite to analyze and write about!...
Manhattan’s Before-and-After AT Gear: Day 1 Vs. 149
On my 2019 Appalachian thru-hike, I had a mix of thrifted, hand-me-down, and new (mid-range) gear. The choices were dependent on size, style, and whether or not I was willing...
What Not to Bring on Your First Long-Distance Hike
First time thru-hikers are bound to make countless errors. Thankfully my 40 pound pack didn't keep me from finishing the John Muir Trail, but there are more than a few...
My Appalachian Trail vs. Pacific Crest Trail Gear Lists: The Things I Didn’t Carry
Two years ago I wrote a post for this website called Gear Lessons From a Hiker Who Never Learned Her Lesson. In it I talked about the enormity of the...