Thru-Hiking Culture
How the Hike Changes You: Reflections from 2019 Appalachian Trail Thru-Hikers
“It’s official,” I told my friend on the phone as I stepped outside and braced against the cold. “I just blew up my life.” The day was January 6, 2019,...
A Triple Crowner’s Advice for Following Through on Your Hiking Goals
It’s January of a new decade and ’tis the season for ambitious lists, goals, and vision boards for the coming year—adventurous ambitions hopefully among them. We set goals to push...
When Hiking a Long-Distance Trail Is the Road to Recovery
While serving in Iraq in the early 2000s, Will Robinson was rummaging through a box of books when he found an unlikely distraction: A guide to hiking the Pacific Crest...
Announcing: The Inaugural Season of The Trek Ambassador Program, Now Accepting Applications
Thru-hiking in 2020? Let's chat! The Trek is looking for a handful of thru-hikers to showcase through their social media channels in 2020. Specifically, we're looking to feature those who...
FK-FAIL: When Attempting a Fastest Known Time is NOT for You
Today in the year 2020, almost everyone at least remotely in touch with the long-trail and endurance community are familiar with the phenomenon known as Fastest Known Times (FKTs). For...
Five Trail Resolutions for the New Year
We take to the trails for a simpler life, engaging the rhythms of nature, joining a community of like-minded people. Our days on trail follow the rising and setting of...
You Might Be Hiker Trash If…
hiker trash haɪk•r træʃ noun US informal the endearing term used within the hiking community to describe a hiker or group of hikers who have acclimated to a lower standard of living....
16 Things 2020 Thru-Hikers Need to Know
It’s that time of year again! Hikers around the globe are crossing the last pieces of gear off their list, finalizing mail drops, and making plans to head toward the...
Book Review: “The Unlikely Thru-Hiker” Is a Dreadfully Delightful Memoir
The Unlikely Thru-Hiker: An Appalachian Trail Journey Author: Derick Lugo MSRP: $19.95 (210 pp.; August 2019) Publisher: Appalachian Mountain Club Books These days, thru-hiking memoirs are as
The 2019 Hiker Survey: General Information
This is the first post of 2019 in The Trek’s annual survey of Appalachian Trail thru-hikers and long-distance section hikers. This year, we gathered new information on hikers' favorite hostels...
