Why I’m Hiking Lists

What Solo Hiking Is Really Like

What Solo Hiking Is Really Like

The Morning Routine of a Solo Hiker It’s 5 a.m. on a Saturday morning when my alarm starts going off. I inhale deeply, turn off the incessant beeping that has...

Dec 30, 2018 : Rebecca Sperry
Onesies and Winter Camping: Or, How I fell in Love with Backpacking

Onesies and Winter Camping: Or, How I fell in Love with Backpacking

I was born into a family of hikers. My grandfather helped found the East Coast Trail, a 300-kilometer hiking trail in Newfoundland. My parents brought my older sister when she...

Nov 23, 2018 : Charlotte Huebner
From Never Backpacking to Springer in Two Months

From Never Backpacking to Springer in Two Months

From having never backpacked in my life to Springer Mountain, this is the story of how I decided, planned, and hit the Appalachian Trail in two months.

Apr 24, 2018 : Danny Strayer
Beauty in Brevity: Why I’m Hiking the Appalachian Trail

Beauty in Brevity: Why I’m Hiking the Appalachian Trail

Let me keep my distance, always, from those who think they have the answers. Let me keep company always with those who say "Look!" and laugh in astonishment, and bow...

Apr 12, 2018 : Caylee Reid
Hey, Ya’ll : What I’ve Been up to, Why I’m Hiking the PCT

Hey, Ya’ll : What I’ve Been up to, Why I’m Hiking the PCT

Why I hiked the Appalachian Trail:            Every thru-hiker gets the question “Why are you hiking the (insert trail name here)?” Perhaps this inquiry is easier for some and more difficult...

Apr 9, 2018 : Peanut
Finding the Building Blocks of Life Along the PCT

Finding the Building Blocks of Life Along the PCT

I begin by writing where the idea first came from to thru-hike. Then I go on to explain why I'm thru-hiking. Explicitly, I'm thru-hiking because the mental tools that it...

Feb 2, 2018 : Alexander Jack
Never Say Never: Everyone Has Reasons to Thru-Hike

Never Say Never: Everyone Has Reasons to Thru-Hike

The word 'never' is just a log that fuels the fire of adventure. Here are the reasons why I'm thru-hiking the Pacific Crest Trail.

Jan 26, 2018 : Taylor Key
Hiking, Dancing, And Sunglasses – A Memorial To Joe

Hiking, Dancing, And Sunglasses – A Memorial To Joe

Last weekend I went to the funeral service for my friend Joe. I met Joe and his greyhound, Flyer, at a local lake more than 15 years ago when I...

Jan 21, 2018 : Barb Abney
Anticipating Katahdin & introduction to US!

Anticipating Katahdin & introduction to US!

It was 2 months ago that we found ourselves saying, "I'd really like to just pack up and hike the Appalachian Trail!" #bucketlist. We looked at each other, and were...

Jun 1, 2017 : KatBird & Trail
First post from Hot Springs, NC. Better late than never right?

First post from Hot Springs, NC. Better late than never right?

I'm currently sprawled out in a super comfy bed at a B&B in Hot Springs, NC. That's right. I'm 273 miles in and just now writing my first post. It's...

Apr 25, 2017 : Madison Billingsley