Thru-Hiking Culture
Chasing Four | Will Peterson’s Long Trail FKT Trip Report
Welcome to my trip report from my recent FKT (Fastest Known Time) on the Long Trail in Vermont. My name is Will Peterson and I am a backpacker and ultramarathon...
Congratulations to These 2024 Appalachian Trail Thru-Hikers: Part 1
Thousand of hopefuls set out each year to embark on the Appalachian Trail, but only a select few complete the journey. This year’s class of thru-hikers has spent months navigating...
“I Just Had To Skip So Many Miles”: How 2024 PCT Thru-Hikers Are Adapting to Fires and Trail Closures
On the Pacific Crest Trail, wildfire closures are no longer the rarity they once were — they’ve become part of the thru-hiking experience. With five current closures on the trail,...
Tips for International Thru Hikers
After travelling half way around the world to complete the Pacific Crest Trail in 2022 and now most recently the Appalachian Trail in 2024, I have a fair bit of...
Book Excerpt: Going to Maine by Comedian Sally Chaffin Brooks
In 2003, comedian Sally Chaffin Brooks’ childhood best friend, Erin, convinced her to thru-hike the Appalachian Trail. A woefully out-of-shape Sally quickly realizes she may not actually be prepared
Wouldn’t you like to see a Grandma Gatewood statue?
Fifty years after her death, there is a push to bring Grandma Gatewood back to the trail. Let me explain. Bridgette Mongeon is a hiker and the artist chosen to...
2024 Appalachian Trail Thru-Hikers: Submit Your Completion Photos
It's summit season on the AT, and that means that we at The Trek are standing by to CONGRATULATE YOU. Yes, you. Seriously, send us pictures. We are determined to...
A Story About Dave: The Day I Lost My Best Friend
This is a guest post by Kevin Avakian. This hike started as all our other hikes started, with one exception, I needed to drive this time. Dave’s wife’s car had...
Trail of Healing: Finding Solace and Strength on the Appalachian Trail
This guest post was written by Carson Calkins. Rain pounds the roof. The lawn is a collage of puddles and mud. You sit on a cabin’s porch, fortifying your food...
2024 It’s Still Summer Giveaway Winners
We hate to be the ones to say it, but summer is soon coming to a close. Though the days are growing shorter and the temperatures are getting cooler, we’re...