#appalachian trial

Week 3 (April 15-April 21, 2023): Perseverance, Courage, Bravery, and Strength

Week 3 (April 15-April 21, 2023): Perseverance, Courage, Bravery, and Strength

Music for the trail “I went from zero, to my own hero…” Katy Perry, “Roar.” PRISM. Boiling Springs, PA 1124.3 to Rausch Gap Shelter, PA 1178.9 Total Miles=54.6 Joys: Two...

Nov 15, 2023 : Beth Malchus Stafa
Dis-Ability into Hike-Ability

Dis-Ability into Hike-Ability

12/01/22  AT in 23 even rhymes! It's been a challenging year. In Feb. of 2022, I fell, literally on my arse ending up in the hospital, with a bleeding head,...

Dec 1, 2022 : Naomi Brown
End of Book 1: New Hampshire and Maine

End of Book 1: New Hampshire and Maine

As I recount the past few weeks, I find myself bewildered by how time, and trail progress passes me by. It has been hundreds of kilometers since Lincoln. We have...

Aug 12, 2022 : Mountain Goat
An Overdue Homage to Smugness

An Overdue Homage to Smugness

Smugness! 823 miles down, and I feel it necessary to make clear some things that may not have been explicitely and accurately represented in my previous posts. For those who...

Jul 1, 2022 : Mountain Goat
The Never-Mentioned States

The Never-Mentioned States

When you start researching the Appalachian Trail, there are common challenges and states that reoccur in your searches. Before you embark, you feel well prepared for all the things coming

Jun 7, 2022 : Mountain Goat
Pennsylvania…

Pennsylvania…

The Good Contrary to popular belief, Pennsylvania (PA) is not all bad. There's much to be celebrated in this state, and much to be missed. A Smugness on a fun...

May 14, 2022 : Mountain Goat
5 Things Not to do in Your First Week

5 Things Not to do in Your First Week

1. Don't Have a Long Travel Itinerary We started our flip-flop with an extremely long commute: Victoria-Vancouver, via ferry at 2100, on April 23rd; Vancouver-Calgary, via air at

May 3, 2022 : Mountain Goat
How to Get To Springer Mountain

How to Get To Springer Mountain

Originally published 1/10/2017; last updated 1/27/2022 by Penina Satlow. "Where’s Springer Mountain? You mean the Southern Terminus of the AT? That’s easy… it’s in Georgia. In the woods. Actually

Jan 27, 2022 : Maggie Slepian
Anxiety Ascent: Why I’m off the trail

Anxiety Ascent: Why I’m off the trail

I wake up in my room, surrounded by four walls and my black cat walking over my down comforter. The air conditioning is cool and my bed is soft. This...

Jun 16, 2018 : Ashley Manning
Little Toe, Big Problem

Little Toe, Big Problem

My first two days on the trail were, let's call them, eventful. I've been an avid hiker and outdoor enthusiast since spring break camping trips as a kid, so I...

Apr 19, 2018 : Rachel Poole