Once Hiker Trash, Always Hiker Trash

The Hiker Trash Community

When I refer to myself as Hiker Trash, I am often met with deeply concerned looks. I find myself explaining often that this is a title I claim with pride. It is how I distinguish between my very professional Speech-Language Pathologist self and my Woodland Creature Who Lives Among the Trees self. It connects me to a much larger community of long-distance hikers. During my hiking travels, I have become instant friends with like-minded people from all over the world.

What Started it All

My first thru-hiking adventure was on the Colorado Trail in 2020. It was a fairly impulsive decision (no surprise to anyone who knows me). I began planning the hike when the world shut down after Covid. I honestly don’t remember how I found out about the trail, but I have been obsessed with backpacking since I moved to Colorado in 2016. Prior to the CT, I had only gone on short backpacking trips for 2 days at a time. When it comes to adventuring, I prefer to just wing it. 

Preparation for my First Long Trek

I used my stimulus check from the pandemic to buy all of the gear I still needed. My ADHD-powered hyper-focus allowed me to become an expert on the concept of being ‘ultralight’ overnight. I carefully researched the top contenders and ended up with a Gossamer Gear Gorilla backpack and ‘The One’ tent (The One you need—shoutout to Chaunce). In order to save some money, I bought a used men’s North Face down sleeping bag. This was a poor choice in hindsight—it’s hard to stay warm in a sleeping bag twice your width! I used the Therm-a-rest Uberlite sleeping pad, which I lovingly refer to as the Potato Chip Bag because of the sound it makes when you so much as breathe on it.

Semi-light Gear

While I felt like a gear expert, I didn’t fully understand the ultralight concept. It really takes getting out there and testing out your gear to figure out what works for you. As I previously mentioned, I am not one to plan ahead like that. So, I stuffed my Gossamer pack to the brim with all kinds of items I later realized were unnecessary. Many hikers tried to give me ‘shake downs’, but I clung to my camp shoes and trail books for dear life. I can be pretty stubborn and usually have to learn things the hard way. 

How the Trail Changed me Forever

Despite getting every possible tendon injury due to carrying a not-actually-ultralight pack and hiking huge miles right off the bat, the Colorado Trail was the best thing that ever happened to me. I experienced some of the highest highs and the lowest lows. I felt more like my true self than I had in years. It changed the trajectory of my life, and made me realize that this is what I want to do for the rest of my days. It led me to quitting my full-time job at a school and becoming a traveling Speech-Language Pathologist. This allows me to fit my work around my hiking schedule, not the other way around.

On to the Next One

Since completing the Colorado Trail, I have done LASHes on the PCT (the Oregon section), the Arizona Trail, and the Long Trail. When I finish a hike, I immediately start dreaming about the next one. I fully admit I’m addicted to the Hiker Trash way of life. My trek on the PCT will be the first hike I’ve attempted that’s longer than a month. I’m slightly nervous, but mostly completely stoked for my next dirtbag adventure!

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Comments 22

  • T-bone : Jan 5th

    72 yr old hiker trash here… Out on a mandatory surgery sabbatical… Total knee replacement + 2 carpal tunnel surgeries. Looking to finish the ozark highland trail in spring on 2026 when i recover. Started a yr ago but 35 miles into it i had to text for a pickup ad my knee just couldn’t take it… Had minor surgery but it wasn’t enough. I desperately long to get back out into the forest where i belong… Age-related pain is just a thing we have to face to be who we are meant to be.

    Reply
    • Danielle Moran : Jan 6th

      Have you tried walking backwards? Surprising how it helps with recovery

      Reply
      • Sherry K Wibbels : Jan 21st

        I did not know that!!!!

        Reply
    • Megan Hantz : Jan 6th

      Wow, I want to be you when I grow up! I’m sorry to hear about the knee issues, I hope everything goes well with your surgery and you can get back out there soon in whatever capacity you are able to. Do you recommend the Ozark Highland Trail? I’ve heard the name but never looked into it!

      Reply
    • Hunter Talley : Jan 20th

      People like this are cringe. Yuck.

      Reply
  • Carold Hall : Jan 5th

    You go, girl. Sounds like a great adventure. Best of luck!

    Reply
    • Megan Hantz : Jan 6th

      Thank you so much, I can’t wait!

      Reply
  • Plant trash queen : Jan 6th

    Megan, I’m obsessed. I am a creature of habit married to certain amenities like indoor plumbing, a mattress, and a stove. But hearing about your adventures has me feeling willing to adventure in the wilderness to seek comfort in the arms of mushrooms and moss vs. my indoor potted plants.

    Reply
    • Megan Hantz : Jan 6th

      First of all, obsessed with the name ‘Plant Trash Queen’. I aspire to be a good plant mom some day – I have 2 that I am barely able to keep alive. I have a friend who also loves plants, so when we hike together it is really just us stopping every 2 feet looking at mushrooms/moss, it’s great!!

      Reply
  • MATT ARMSTRONG : Jan 6th

    Hi Megan! Your piece was well written, informative and easy to read. I found myself highly interested in what you were going to say next as I read thru. I’ve been preparing for about two years to hike the AT. Various wrenches have been thrown into the gears which have resulted in delays. I took four overnight shakedown trips to test my gear and myself. Lessons learned resulted in completely revolutionizing my gear as I threw out the heavier and sought out the lightest. Your advice about doing shakedowns to prepare is some of the best that can be given to those contemplating long hikes. Using what I’ve learned I plan to write a book about how to hike the AT. I’m exhilarated too with the wilderness-so count me as one of your fellow pieces of hiker trash in the landfill.

    Reply
    • Megan Hantz : Jan 6th

      Thank you, Matt! It’s scary to put yourself out there, so I appreciate the positive feedback. That’s awesome that you’re planning on hiking the AT – from my (short) Long Trail section hike I know it is no joke. It sounds like you’re determined to get out there no matter what. I love referring to it as the landfill, I’m going to start using that from now on, lol!

      Reply
      • MATT ARMSTRONG : Jan 7th

        Hi Megan.
        One of the top achievements I’d hoped to accomplish in hiking the AT was meeting others who were intensely excited about the beauty and spiritual impact of the outdoors.
        After my four checkout hikes I’d identified, for treatment in my book, 1) really enjoying yourself, and; 2) preventing injuries as most important in planning and preparing. I live a half hour walk from the AT in western Virginia. I’d say about half of those i meet on the Trail are suffering, or recovering after time out to heal.
        Talk about scary I’m wary of my location being identified online. Back when Covid was really an issue people in nursing and retirement homes were mass dropping dead like flies sprayed with Raid. I suggested that glass walls with phone-like communication be built, like in prisons, so visitors could come without spreading the disease. I was only trying to help the poor elderly people get a relief from quarantine. But one commenter was so wild n crazy with an angry reply saying the aged shouldn’t be treated like dogs…I was shocked. I don’t want some homicidal nutcase showing up at my door! There are enough kooks n weirdos n criminals even out here in the boondocks. I don’t need any to be imported from out of state! I took my pic off FB for a long time after that.
        Two big hawks are hunting the “crow” side of the house of my bird feeding arrangement here. On the other side is a feeder more for littler birds. I walked outside for a moment and the hawks took off.
        In my checkout trips I went to elk country in north central Pennsylvania. Then to Pocahontas County WV where I camped far into the backwoods by a crystal stream rolling and tumbling over a rocky bed. I was incredibly excited and thrilled while on these trips! I saw a humongous elk in the wild.
        I hope you’ll write about your next adventures and topics such as gear-about which there can never be enough research….in my view. I recall seeing a button to follow you? I’ll click it.
        Happy Trails!

        Matt

        Reply
        • MATT ARMSTRONG : Jan 7th

          When I clicked Subscribe I got this msg, “There was an error subscribing you.”

          Reply
          • Megan Hantz : Jan 7th

            Hi Matt,
            That sounds like a great idea for a book! I agree that injury prevention and enjoying yourself are the most important part of the prep. It’s always hard to get myself to train in the winter, but it’s definitely necessary.
            It is a bit scary having your info out there on the internet, I understand that.
            The wildlife is one of my favorite parts of long-distance hiking! I love seeing moose and elk (from a distance)!
            I’m working on my gear post as we speak! It is still changing but I have the basics down at least.
            That’s weird about the subscribe button not working – my friends haven’t had a problem with it. Did you try again?

            Reply
  • Adrian Redgwell : Jan 6th

    Hiker Trash is a voluntary state of hikers not caring about hikers not thinking about hygiene. This is very series. Being military background, the health standards are high as diseases happen when you do not take care of yourself. I use non scented baby wipes and every stream I take my body cloth and wipe everything quickly. I use a stick of non scented deodorant as well. In summary there is no reason to be stinky anymore. So hiker Trash today is purely a voluntary state. You still can be hiker Trash without the stink.

    Reply
    • DawgBüs : Jan 20th

      This^

      Just being a hiker does not make one hiker trash.

      Reply
  • MATT ARMSTRONG : Jan 7th

    I’m looking forward to your gear post. I thot i had the climax gear in every respect, about six months ago. But different gear is always developing…so it takes an effort to be up to date. FYI I wore waterproof Columbia low cut shoes to shovel snow today; then went on a mile jog. I was reminded after pain in the knees that I had abandoned stiff soles and hard shoes. Instead I opted for flexible sole trail runners. These appear safe enough as long as I’m not carrying a lot of weight. I think they weigh 19 oz. I bot an oz scale to weigh every single toothpick. (:
    As far as training I’ll have complete suggested exercise in my book. Hopefully it will get newbies off to a safe start.
    Yeah I tried a few times to subscribe. I’ll try again tomorrow using wifi in the big city. I clicked a button or two and supposedly I’m now following u on Instagram and possibly also fb. I’ll keep working on it. Eventually I’ll be one of your faithful groupies. (:
    Good luck on the work ur doing on the gear post! Matt

    Reply
  • Joe : Jan 16th

    Hi Megan! I’m always happy and impressed when l read about young people like yourself learning and enjoying the trail system in America! At 83, l have hiked and backpacked nearly 8000 miles over 50 years including the AT, The Winds 4x and numerous other wilderness areas in the U.S. including Alaska. During your posts you will get lots of advice but l think the most important thing is to take care of your feet!! Wear really good fitting shoes and, comfortable and above al else protect your ankles!!! Incredibly easy to break an ankle or tear a tendon. Today l have numb feet due to compressed nerves because I didn’t take care of my feet while carrying 50 lb packs over mountain terrain; 70 lbs in Alaska. Today, equipment is much lighter but do not take your feet for granted.

    Happy Trails!

    Reply
    • Megan Hantz : Jan 18th

      Hi Joe,

      I love hearing from/talking to people with your level of experience, you’ve really seen it all! Thank you, I really needed to hear that about taking care of my feet. I know it is important, but I need to think about the long run and being able to hike for years to come!

      Reply
  • Trail name Mack : Jan 17th

    Nice article. I’m an AT through hike class of 2019 finisher. I’m also a nurse. Hiking is a great break from the stress of nursing. I’ve never really liked the term “Hiker Trash” because so many use it as a way of not being held accountable for their actions. If something is said to them about acting like an idiot, they just say, oh well, I’m hiker trash. I also see a lot of people using their trail names to anonymously act like jerks. Many of them being banned from hostels on the AT. It’s a sad state and the few of course leave a bad impression for many non-hikers.

    Using trail names as a way of belonging and the term hiker trash as a term of lighthearted endearment is great, but people still need to take responsibility for their actions. Also, if your body type has awful BO to where you have a cloud of stink like pig pen, you should probably use some unscented baby wipes and possibly unscented deodorant. I’ve been at shelters before with hikers that stink so bad you can’t stand to be within 15-20 feet of them. I’ve also heard of some people being so stinky they have been kicked off airplanes or refused shuttle to town runs because the smell is so awful. Don’t be one of those people and use the hiker trash term as an excuse to not be responsible for yourself and your hygiene.

    Reply
  • Richelle Wilson Deharde : Jan 18th

    Megan, please show me how to opt in on future posts

    Reply

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