Hailing from the hills of Missouri. I am a nerd at heart. I love video games, reading, and television. The thing I enjoy about these past times are the stories, the adventure, and the lessons learned along the way. I've found that hiking and backpacking have helped me to actually live out some stories of my own and so here I am!

Geology professor, ultrarunner, nordic skier, father, PCT class of 2025

Hi y’all! My name is Alex/Birdie and I am passionate about the outdoors and love to share my passion with curious readers such as yourself! Last year I successfully thru hiked the Appalachian Trail and this year I will be thru hiking the Camino De Santiago! I will be starting within the month and am looking forward to another grand adventure!

Hi! My name's Ali and I'm from Hillsborough, New Jersey. I grew up spending summers camping along the east coast with my brother and parents, which kickstarted my passion for the great outdoors. I studied Dance and English at Muhlenberg College, earning my Bachelors and moving to Chicago in 2019 to pursue a professional dance career. In 2022, my boyfriend and I moved out west to chase the adventurous lifestyle, converting our Honda Element and living in Monterey, California. We moved up to Bellingham, Washington in 2023 and have been living here and loving it ever since. We can't WAIT to attempt our thru hike of the 2025 PCT and hope you'll follow along on our journey!

Hi there! I'm Allie, and I'm attempting a NOBO thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail in 2025! This isn't my first time backpacking and it isn't my first time setting out on a 6+ month adventure (bikepacked through South America in 2019), but it's my first time combining the two! Excited to see what this next journey holds. Thanks for following along with my Trek blogging! Also feel free to join me on Instagram @allielyrica

Hey I'm Andrew. I am a 22 year old from West Virginia with a dream and a gap semester. I just finished my undergrad degree in December 2024, and now I am going to squeeze in an Appalachian Trail thru-hike before I head off to law school in August 2025. Now is the best chance in my life I could have to thru-hike, so I hope I can make it to Mt. Katahdin before I need to go back to school.

Hey there! I’m Anna, a west coast native with a passion for long trails and type 2 fun. My husband and I are lacing up our trail runners to attempt to thru-hike the Pacific Crest Trail. I’ve spent years exploring the Pacific Northwest, including the Wonderland Trail ('22). My blog will share daily stories from the trail, reflections on what fuels my journey, and the realities of thru-hiking with celiac disease. Whether you’re fellow hiker trash, an armchair adventurer, or someone curious about gluten-free trail life, follow along!

I'm Blaze! This year I'm linking back to my 2024 SOBO Continental Divide Trail miles in northern Wyoming, starting NOBO. Maybe some repeat Montana miles in there too, who knows! I have over 4,000 miles of backpacking experience—thru hiking the Pacific Crest Trail in 2023, and the Uinta Highline Trail in 2022, with a 790 mile section of the PCT in 2019 as well.

Anna is from western North Carolina and grew up romping through hollers and hills. Her love of the Appalachian mountains drew her onto the Appalachian Trail in 2021 where she became "Magic". The AT was her first thru hike and the place where she would meet her future husband, Truffles. After completing the AT, the pair moved to east Tennessee to work as backpacking guides in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Between guiding gigs, Magic hiked the Arizona Trail in 2023 and the West Highland Way in 2024. In 2025, Magic will travel west to thru hike the Pacific Crest Trail. When she isn't in the woods, Magic enjoys writing, playing disc golf, and teaching yoga. You can follow along with all of Magic's adventures on her Instagram (@annamckinney22) or by checking out her blog, magicinthemountains.blog.

My name is Platinum (or Annie) and I am an AT 2022 thru-hiker and PCT 2023 thru-hiker! I am currently prepping and planning for a SOBO Direttissima for summer of 2025 and the CDT for a SOBO start in 2026! With lots of little adventures in between!

Antal Bokor is a retro game collector, Chicago-based game journalist and co-founder of CultureCombine.com. He’s also a video game historian and US Army veteran. Antal’s a Trekkie, a musician, a great cook, and some people believe he’s actually a bear in a man-suit. He also owns and operates his own small electronics repair business where he restores video game consoles to their original splendor. He’s wanted to hike the Appalachian Trail since he was a kid, and will be setting out in March of 2025 to accomplish that goal.

I choose a word to inspire my growth each year. This year my word is adventure. From 2019 to 2021, my word was brave. Clearly, I struggled to grow into THAT word. Since I was a child, I dreamed of sailing. But I had been living in the grip of fear. In 2021, I wriggled painfully out of fear's grip by learning to sail a Hobie 14. I was brave in many other ways in 2021, but bravery was fun on the days I learned to sail. Pain and fun can walk hand it hand. Hikers know this, ask our feet. I came to hiking via hunting as a child with my dad, granddad and great-granddad. I had no idea it was hiking until I went on my first hike in Amicalola Falls, Georgia with Bill. I dropped him off at the start of the Appalachian Trail, and his plan was to hike the full trail. My take away from that momentous hike: hiking is hunting without the guns. Two weeks later, I went from hike one to hike two up Blood Mountain with gusto. At the top of Blood Mountain on a wide, flat rock overlooking the most beautiful view I had seen in my life, I decided I was going to hike the Appalachian Trail. From that moment until now, Bill and I have been rearranging the pieces of our life to accommodate this commitment. And now, we are ready for the joy and the pain of hiking the entire 2,197.4 miles of the AT.

Hi! My name is Bettina, I’m from Austria and I'm tackling my dream of a NOBO PCT thru-hike in 2025. For anyone curious about this exciting adventure, whether you know me personally or are just looking for some PCT-related content, I hope to be able to virtually take you on this journey with me.

Hi, my name is Paige (she/her/hers). I hiked the Pacific Crest Trail in 2023, and now I'm hiking the Continental Divide Trail in 2025. In the 'real' world, I am a researcher with a background in social work, sociology, and public health. In my creative world, I am a poet, dog lover, personal trainer, and writer.

G'day. My name is Brandon, and I will be a NOBO thru-hiker on the PCT in 2025. After 14 years of working with a software company I co-founded, I decided 2025 was the year to go on a 'walkabout' which the Aborigine define as "a short period of wandering bush life as an occasional interruption of regular work." In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my yellow lab, answering the call of the mountains, practicing yoga, and unleashing some creativity in the kitchen. I look forward to sharing my adventures on the PCT with you this year.

Mom in an empty nest, ex-science technician, translator to be, the trail will help me make the transition real. Walking home to my cute little house on the stream. Vous voulez lire mes aventures en français? walkthewoods.net

Hi! I'm Cam (they/them)– or "Peebz," if you happen to catch me as I thru-hike the Appalachian Trail in 2025! I'm also "Dad" to Small Fry, "Captain" to Susan the Subaru, and "Boss" to an army of sourdough starters. But more on them later. For now, all you need to know is I'm a Proud Queer and Trans Southerner championing "Queer Joy in the Woods" with every step I take and every packet of ramen I consume. So grab your sporks, and let's get to it!

Hey y'all! My name is Carson (they/them), and I'll be thru hiking the PCT in 2025. I also thru hiked the AT in 2021. I'm super into ultrarunning, caving, backpacking, and writing. I have a zest for life and am grateful for another opportunity to go on a long distance hike! I'm excited to share some of my PCT adventures, preparations, and general trail thoughts with you, both here and on my other socials (YouTube and Instagram, both linked!). Stay tuned for more :)

I thru-hiked the Appalachian Trail in '21 and deferred Physical Therapy school in order to do so (hence the trail name). Over the past 3 years, i’ve fulfilled my more domestic dreams of becoming a PT, but now it's time to re-enter the woods to appease the feral voices in my head. To the CDT I go!

Hi, I’m Chloe or “Chickpea.” I’m a long-distance hiker and life coach for adventurers from Halifax, Nova Scotia. I’ve hiked thousands of miles across North America, Europe, and Asia — including the PCT, Colorado Trail, Sunshine Coast Trail in BC, Manaslu Circuit in Nepal. I'm currently on the West Highland Way in Scotland and I’ll be heading to Portugal in April 2025 to walk the Fisherman’s Trail. If you enjoy following along and want to help fuel my hiking habit, I’d be so grateful for a little donation. It means a lot and helps me keep chasing these big walks and sharing them with you. Happy trails!

After 30 years in Corporate America; taking a sabbatical to attempt an AT thru hike (NOBO). While by no means a thru hiker, my love of the outdoors and the AT have brought me here. I thought blogging this journey would be a good way to memorialize my thoughts and experiences.

My name is Molly aka Crayon. I am a teacher in North Carolina. I have completed the Appalachian Trail from Springer Mountain, Georgia to Harpers Ferry, West Virginia which accumulates to 1026 miles. I’m going to finish the AT. I look forward to sharing my hiking adventures and meeting new people.

Hey I’m Golden, or Cynthia Olsen when I’m not thru-hiking. I’m hiking the Appalachian Trail this summer of 2025. I’ve lived Oregon in for thirty years and hiked all over the west, but this will be a very different experience. Come along as I try to get my Triple Crown.

Hey, I'm Eddy! I'm currently planning to hike the Appalachian Trail NOBO in mid-March of 2025. I only recently got into backpacking in April of 2024, but after listening to one podcast episode about the AT and seeing my first white blazes at the Liberty Springs tentsite, I've been HOOKED. I'm still not sure I've thought through the whole process yet, but screw it, AT here we come! I’m attempting to blog daily. If you have any concerns, or would like something rescinded, please reach out to [email protected].

Rocket engineer, knitter, hiker. Attempting a 2025 PCT thru hike and excited to share my (mis)adventures!

Hi, my name is Emma! I will be hiking the AT NOBO starting in early May. I fell into the Appalachian trail and thru-hiking rabbit hole in 2023 and have been dreaming of one day completing my own thru-hike ever since! Now after a well timed lay-off I will be attempting my own hike. Excited to share my journey, follow along here or on my instagram @emhikes.

Yo! I’m Finn, 20 years old from Columbus, Ohio. This year I’m tackling the Arizona Trail, my first long Thru hike. When I’m not backpacking, you can find me snowboarding, drinking Yerba Mate, rock climbing, and attempting to get my pack as light as possible. I’ve spent the last year working for a conservation corp in California, sleeping in a tent, and working in the backcountry. After trail, I’ll be working at a Marina in Oregon. I have interest in hiking the Sierra High Route and TDMB in the future. Follow along with me on my adventures!

I've spent the last 53 years doing all the things I'm supposed to do, so now it's time to do a few things that most people would say I shouldn't! I'll start my 2025 AT thru-hike in my home state of Virginia this April. To offset some of my mom-guilt over doing this deeply indulgent thing, I'll be raising money for the Appalachian Trail Conservancy in their 100th year! Here's the link to donate.

I'm a long time outdoorsman with my main passions being backpacking and skiing! I got my start in backpacking as an Eagle Scout before tackling the AT in 2021! I'm setting out on the PCT this year and hopefully will be sharing my experiences with all of you. Follow me here, on my Instagram Georgekindahikes, or my youtube George Gristina!

For those who would like to know, here's a little about me. After finishing high school, I walked out of the back door of my family home with the goal of walking from Kansas to Denver. Instead, I hitchhiked across the U.S. a few times. Eventually I landed in California for a few years where I sold flowers as a street vendor, roamed the Bay Area, and made friends with the Moonies. They wanted me to join, but I wasn't a good fit. One of them "gifted" me a jalopy car which failed the CA smog test. Making the car CA legal was expensive, so I hit the road again until the engine blew out. Eventually, I found my way to Europe and the backpacking life. After Europe, I signed a lease in the states and slowly fell into the standard American life until COVID and fate's twists and turns sent me to hike the Appalachian Trail in 2022. Since summiting Katahdin I've also hiked the Long Trail in 2023, the Camino Frances in 2024, and am currently hiking the Arizona Trail. After the AZT, I'll hit the CDT for a 2025 SOBO.

Hi!! I'm Gray (she/her) I'll be hiking the AT in 2025!

Hi there! I'm Haven — a professional goofball, connoisseur of Nerds Gummy Clusters, and aspiring northbound AT ’25 thru-hiker! I tend to be a little frenetic about books, the woods, snails, and hope. Having grown up in the shadow of Mount Katahdin, it is no wonder that after a childhood of picking out her proud spine on every car ride to the "big city" of Bangor, I would feel an immense sense of longing for the woods and waters that gently carved themselves into my soul. For the last few years, I have traced the smile lines of New England's highest peaks with wandering feet and a grateful heart, biding my time until I could breathe life into my greatest dream — taking a very (very) long walk home. Thanks for being here!

I am an aspiring Thru Hiker for the 2025 hiking season. I am looking to hike the Appalachian Trail from the Southern Terminus to the Northern Terminus.

Hello there, Trekkers! I‘m Ines, also known as Poptart on the trail, your girl from Austria, and in 2025 I’m thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail. I love sunsets and naming all the flowers I pass while hiking. While I had my fair share of climbing mountains in the Alps, my longest trek (in terms of consecutive days) so far has been one week - a far cry from what the AT is! This will become the adventure of a lifetime. I’m truly excited for all the highs and lows the AT can throw at me, so hike along with me to discover the wonders and pains that makes a thru-hike.

I am 23 years old and I recently graduated college with a degree in biology. I have always dreamed of thru-hiking and I finally have the time and money to do it. I am thru-hiking the AT in 2025. Outside of backpacking I enjoy playing golf and lacrosse, snowboarding, weight lifting, and birding.

Looking to find the limits of acceptable hiker trash behavior on the Appalachian Trail. Avid Seinfeld and Always Sunny in Philadelphia enthusiast. Big fan of eating Ramen in the woods. @jackrabbit_thruhikes

I love the outdoors, food, and college football, and I’ll be thru-hiking the PCT in 2025. I have synesthesia, I love the band U2, and I once thru-hiked the JMT in sandals (would not recommend). I’m a published author in the field of New Testament and I’ll be heading back to school to work on my PhD after the trail.

Hi all! My name is Jackson O'Connell and I am walking from Mexico to Canada on the Pacific Crest Trail in 2025. I am an accountant putting my career on pause to pursue my dream of hiking the PCT. I love to ski, hike, and generally just be outdoors. Feel free to follow along.

Hey there! My name is Jacob Eldred or Vibes on trail. In 2024 I completed a thru-hike of the Pacific Crest Trail and now in 2025 I plan to thru-hike the Continental Divide Trail! With family in Colorado, I am excited to visit them on trail and share this beautiful experience with them while working towards completing my second trail for The Triple Crown!

An older (68 and wish I was wiser), fiddle-player, farmer, author and now blogger/hiker. As I write this, 2 weeks to kick off and I still haven't figured out which hammock to take with me to sleep in! I just started hiking this last year and since I live in the Shenandoah Valley, I was able to knock out a few miles before I head south to GA, where I learned just enough to know what I don't know. You are more than welcome to join my learning curve!

I just graduated from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, and am thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail in 2025! I decided to thru-hike the AT in 11th grade and have been planning this for seven years. I did my time in school and now have my Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Mechanical Engineering from one of the most rigorous technical universities in the country. I am stoked to spend five months of my life outdoors traversing the Appalachian mountains this year! Follow me on Instagram @themountainengineer

I’m Jenn, and I’ll be attempting a flip-flop thru hike of the Appalachian Trail in 2025. My friend Keith and I plan to start from Harpers Ferry, WV sometime in late winter. I hope you enjoy reading about my adventure this year!

hi I'm stitches! I'm linking up the continental divide trail + great divide trail (CDT + GDT). that means I'll go through new mexico, colorado, wyoming, idaho, and montana... then BC & alberta, for a total of 3,700 miles, from april to september. if I do it, I'll be the first woman on record to complete both NOBO in one calendar year. I've also hiked the PCT nobo in '23 & the CT in '24. come along :) talk to you soon. // see my daily hikes: https://www.strava.com/athletes/jessicaguo | see my map: https://caltopo.com/m/R1Q01BF | & I also write on substack: https://substack.com/@jessicaguo

Long time day hiker transitioning into semi-feral forest creature on retirement. Former research chemist and long time Appalachian Trail thru hike lurker. The time of lists, research and rabbit holes is done and Class of 2025 awaits.

Hello, all! I am a 64-year-old Pennsylvanian (he/him), retired from government legal services and the Coast Guard Reserve, who is excited to be pursuing a decades-old goal of thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail. I am fortunate to have a likeminded good friend who has the same aim. I look forward to documenting our double flip-flop jaunt!

Hi, I’m John Kriz (AlphaGal). Some just call me Kriz. 2024/25 will finally be my time to attempt a thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail. Starting SoBo late 2024, I made it 220 miles before the weather stopped me. I’ll resume my journey in February, this time NoBo. Eight years ago, for our 25th wedding anniversary, my wife and I decided it would be fun to summit Mount Washington. Afterwards, we continued to hike different sections of the AT and since then, I’ve become serious about completing the whole thing. I’ve completed just over half…but I CRAVE the day I can just keep hiking. 2024 coincided with my retirement, and the opportunity to just keep hiking until I’m done. Somewhere along the way, I was bitten by a Lone Star tick and I became severely allergic to red meat and dairy, a condition known as Alpha-Gal allergy. Seven years later, I believe I’ve finally grown out of it. So, 2024 was also a celebration of recovery…and with it, opportunity for a new trail name. Looking forward so much to the journey and sharing it with you.

Howdy! My name is Josh and I'll be hitting the PCT going NOBO in March 2025. I'm a lover of hiking, exploring outdoors, botanizing, eating a lot, and finding cool bugs. My background is in environmental restoration, botanical field work, and scientific illustration. I'm stoked to have this opportunity to explore more of my home state of California (and beyond!), and to share these experiences with this community. Check out my iNaturalist page to see all the critters and creatures I find along the way.

Jolly | Thru-Hiker Hi, I’m Jolly, and I’m passionate about long-distance hiking. There’s something about carrying everything I need on my back, waking up to new views every morning, and pushing myself through the highs and lows of the trail that keeps me coming back for more. Whether it’s tackling iconic routes like the Appalachian Trail, Pacific Crest Trail, or wandering off the beaten path, I’m always searching for that next adventure. For me, hiking isn’t just about the miles—it’s about the people you meet, the lessons you learn, and the moments that make you stop and appreciate the beauty of the world. I love the simplicity of trail life, the challenge of the unknown, and the freedom that comes with putting one foot in front of the other. When I’m not on trail, you’ll probably find me planning the next one, dreaming of far-off summits, or sharing stories from my journeys. I hike because it reminds me of who I am and what really matters. The trail always calls—and I’ll always answer.

I'm Jubilee, a 33-year-old from Puerto Rico. This year me and husband are attempting to thru-hike the Pacific Crest Trail NOBO. I've been dreaming of thru-hiking the PCT since I discovered its existence around 2018. After an attempt in 2022, I've been asked if I plan to do the whole thing one day. I always answered: "Maybe...someday" until I started answering "Actually...this year!". I hope you follow along as I share my experience.

My name is Julie (she/her). I live in Minnesota. I am excited to do my first thru-hike, on the PCT, in the spring of 2025 along with my husband, Bob. :)

Hi! 👋 I'm Justin and I'll be attempting a 2025 NOBO thru of the AT. I'm a professional photographer from Atlanta, GA, and will be schlepping some of my gear along with me to make photos and record interviews with folks along the way. As a visual storyteller, I don't do words too good, so I hope that you enjoy whatever it is that I post here!

Greetings! I'm Tom Kaczmarek, a.k.a. Kazanobo (Kaz-a-NOBO...get it?). I'm a proud husband and dad, section-hiking my way to Katahdin before I turn 50. Thru-hike: Long Trail 2016 | Adirondack 46er #10276 | Section-hike: AT 2023 - ?

Hey, I’m Kelly aka Toddler Snacks! I have 5,000+ miles of thru-hiking experience under my hip belt on the AT (NOBO 2020), LT (NOBO 2021), and PCT (SNOBO/Flip Flop 2023). In 2025, I plan to hike the Direttissima (SOBO) in my home state of NH followed by the CDT (also SOBO) with my husband Andrew aka The Show. I'm proudly in recovery from alcohol addiction (two and a half years and counting), neurodivergent (ADHD-PI), and child free by choice (though I hope to someday be a fur mom). When I’m not hiking, I enjoy thrifting and selling vintage / secondhand clothing online, making fiber art (crochet, weaving, macrame), and doing home reno projects. Follow along on my escapades and ruminations thereof by subscribing to this blog or following @keljens on Instagram.

Canadian mountain goat ultra runner now embracing the #disconnecttoreconnect of the backpacking/thru hiking world!! Excited to see where this journey takes me including the beautiful spaces, shenanigans, and the cool people I meet along the way!!

Oh hi, you find yourself reading my bio. Fun thing about me is I’m a big goof. I like to laugh and bring out smiles amongst those around me. I’ve decided to do this massive experience known as the PCT! Here you will see what happens during my weekly endeavors on trail

Hi! I'm a brit in the US, and first time thru-hiker. I'll be hiking North-bound with my Husband Roo, and setting off in late March. We're from Norwich, England and we're so excited to get going and share our hiking highs and lows with you all. We’re always careful to say that we’re going to TRY to hike the AT, because we’ve no idea how we’ll do or far we’ll make it! But we're looking forward to experiencing the simple life of the trail as well as the kindness we have heard so much about, and spreading a little bit of love along the way too. IG: lauraestherwells

Hi! I'm Lauren, aspiring Appalachian Trail thru hiker, class of 2025! CO born, NH raised, and I've been dreaming of this all my life. I'm an Engineer, vegetarian, climate activist, and self-proclaimed sufferfest lover! I hiked the Colorado Trail in 2023 and can't wait for more roots, rocks, and nights sleeping on the ground. See you out there!

Hey there! My name is Levente (Leftover) and this year I’ll be tackling the 800 miles of the Arizona Trail going northbound. An avid backpacker, I also love to watch soccer, run, bike, drink IPAs, and do any outdoor activity. After thru-hiking the PCT in 2021, I fell in love with the adventure and lifestyle of thru-hiking. I’m a firm believer of if there’s a will there’s a way, so before life gets too serious, let’s hit the dirt !

Hi! I’m Lisa and I’ll be completing a Flip-Flop Appalachian Trail Adventure beginning in April of 2025 with my sister-in-law Kim! We have been planning our 2025 Appalachian Thru-Hike since 2022, and we can't wait to get hiking. Join us as we RV our way through the Appalachian Trail. Kim and I will be hiking, while Gary, my husband and Kim’s brother, will be providing trail support and resupply. We will take ZERO days to help him move the Rig to the next campground, and then we'll be back hiking the white blazes. Do we know if this is going to work out perfectly? We do not. Do we know if we will find campgrounds for the RV close enough to the trail to offer trail support? We do not. Do we know if we are going to master the timing of hiking and moving the RV to said campgrounds? We do not. WE DO KNOW that we're going to have quite the adventure trying to figure it all out! We hope you’ll follow along. Follow us on Instagram @chasingthere_rv

Born in the shadows of New England’s mill towns, M. Bardamu has worn many hats—chef, artist, writer, musician, wanderer—all of them weathered, none of them a perfect fit. He’s walked deserts, climbed mountains, and followed the whispers of the sea, chasing horizons that vanish as soon as they’re found. He’s a nobody, but not in the way people think—more a ghost of the in-between, slipping through cracks where life gets real. He eats books like meals, hums songs that never end, and wears the dust of countless roads like a second skin. His grip is always packed, ready for the next story, the next mile, the next something. Open to creative mischief, strange roads, and whatever comes next.

Hello fellas, I'm out and about to go for the adventure of a lifetime by attempting a NoBo Thru-Hike of the Appalachian Trail starting in March 2025. I have always wanted to do a multi-week long distance hike eversince my early 20s and now with turning 30 years of age this year I say enough of lame excuses! So far the longest hike I have done was a 5-day "Thru-Hike" of the infamous Wicklow Way in Ireland with tent and rations only but two wonderful friends who were unfortunately forced to quit due to horrible blister attacks on day 2. Besides the heavy effort of course, the simplicity of caring all of life's necessities on your back being able to experience this beautiful world on foot by walking through hundreds of miles of gorgeous nature and meeting interesting people along the way sounds like an opportunity that I definitely would not want to miss out in my life. Stay tuned for blog posts to come where I will try to put my experiences of this adventure into suitable words. So long, happy hikin'!

Howdy! I'm Mary (she/her), a writer and hiker heading NOBO on the Appalachian Trail in 2025! I'm an experienced hiker and have logged miles around the world, but this will be my first thru-hike! My hiking companion is a little stuffed pig named Grapefruit, and I hope you join us for all of the highs and lows of life on the AT. Find me on Instagram @mary.kueser. Happy Trails!!

Hey there! My name is Megan/T-Rex. I'll be attempting a thru-hike of the PCT in May. My Hiker Trash journey began in 2020 when I completed the Colorado Trail. I have The ADHD, which is why I thrive when I'm long-distance hiking. When I’m not on a trail, I’m a traveling Speech Language Pathologist with a special interest in NeuroDiversity-affirming therapy and Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC). I’m also a proud cat mom of two lovely ladies - Izzmund the 3rd (Izzy) and Rizozos (Zoey). I can't wait to hit the trail and take you along for the ride! If you want to follow me after my PCT hike, my Substack is: mnhantz.substack.com

Hello! I'm Mic. This spring I am retiring from a career in water and starting a grand thru hike adventure on the Appalachian Trail with my daughter. I grew up in Minnesota packing in and out everything we needed to enjoy the amazing Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness every summer with my family. Now I spend time hiking and biking trails in the upper midwest including the Maah Daah Hey Trail in ND, and kayaking the rivers and lakes.

My name is Misty, and I hail from Nebraska, where I live with my husband, two cats, and flock of chickens. I worked in healthcare for over 16 years before giving it up for more outdoor pursuits. I can't wait to share my Superior Hiking Trail experience with you!

Hi there! I'm Myllene (no trail name, yet), and I am hiking the PCT in 2025. Brazilian living and enjoying the outdoors in Washington State. I love it here! This will be my first long distance hike, and I'm not sure what to expect yet. So, follow along for updates 😅 You can also find me sharing random stuff on Instagram @whileiexplore. Happy Trails!

Hey there! I’m Natalie. My dad Mark and I (Aqua Man and Glam Girl) are setting out to thru-hike the Appalachian Trail February 28. Born and raised in the Western Maine Mountains, the AT has always felt close to home. I grew up exploring New England via hiking, mountain biking, skiing, and running with my dad, family, and friends. We are beyond grateful and excited to have the opportunity to thru-hike the AT this year. My blog will explore daily reflections from the trail (including the highs and lows), nutrition, and what fuels us to keep trekking. Follow our journey along!

Nick kindred (Sgt Pepper) lives in Florida and spent the majority of his adult life working as an engineer on NASA’s manned flight space program. His journey into backpacking started by section hiking the AT when he could. It took 18 years but in 2023 he finished the entire AT. With kids out of the house and calling it quits on his 40 year career Nick will be thru hiking the PCT in 2025. In addition to completing the AT he has also completed shorter hikes including the Zion traverse hike, Peru Salkantay trail and sections of the Glacier National Park and Florida trail. He will begin his PCT thru hike in March and looks forward to another great adventure, meeting lots of fellow hiking enthusiasts representing the OG’s on the trail.

I'm Nicole and I'm setting out to thru-hike the AT in 2025! I love challenges, experiences, and adventure and this is one that's been on my list for about 10 years. In my normal life I'm an afterschool teacher (shout out MAPsters) and had the wonderful chance to teach art to - and learn from - some incredible artists leading up to this next journey! I spend most of my time with my family and dog, Voodoo, in MA or my partner and loved ones in New Orleans (if you see me crying, missing them will be why!). So excited to share this hike with everyone back home - keep being YOU!

Nina grew up in the South African wilderness roaming barefoot beneath sunny skies, in awe of earth’s wonders. She was a high-school drop-out who traded the classroom for a yacht skipper’s qualification and started working on private yachts in the Mediterranean at 16 years old. This was the ultimate ‘university of life’ that led her into various culinary, viticultural, spiritual, and artistic pursuits around the world. She eventually navigated back to formal education and defended a Doctorate in Philosophy in 2015. Nina is the founder of a yoga travel and adventure experience business - inretreat.co. In 2025 Nina and her husband Chris will be hiking the PCT! Follow Nina on IG @nina.btlr @inretreat.co

Hi/Bună! We are an American Romanian couple living in Durham, NC. We love life and each other, we love our kids, human and furry, we love our family and friends and really, everybody. We hike, we hug trees, we camp, we bike, we practice yoga as a system and learn everyday to find the good and beautiful in everybody and everything. We just retired and are ready to start our first trek, NOBO on the AT.

Oliver has been itching to complete a thru hike and get a trail name for many years, satisfying himself with shorter objectives while his children grow up. He has completed the Boreal Trail in Saskatchewan (2021), the Northern and Long Range Traverses of Gros Morne National Park in Newfoundland (2023), part of Section B and all of Section C on the Great Divide Trail in BC and Alberta (2020, 2021), the Labrador Footpath in Newfoundland (2022), and a bunch of shorter overnights in BC and Alberta. Oliver is an active duty chaplain in the Canadian Armed Forces, and will be taking on a thru-hike of the Arizona Trail in March, 2025 after completing a 100 mile section in 2024. In addition to blogging his time on trail, he will be producing trail videos (youtube.com/@untakentrails) talking about the the trail and touching on the intersection of thru-hiking, mental health and spirituality.

Hi, I’m Paige and this is Dude. I’m a 30-year-old human, he’s a 5-year-old dog. I was teaching exceptional children at an elementary school and working at a climbing gym while Dude was taking naps at home. I’m thru hiking the Appalachian Trail and he’s hiking a section. We both love long walks in the woods and munching on tasty snacks while admiring a scenic view.

I'm Sebastien, aka Passtrek, from France. During my year in Africa and another in Asia working in educational programs, I've had so many adventures on my hikes there that this year I've decided to take time to tackle my dream: cross America from Mexico to Canada, through the Wild West. Follow my adventures on Instagram (@Passtrek), from Arizona to Montana, via Utah, Colorado, Wyoming and Idaho!

We are a couple from the Czech Republic who decided to leave our careers behind and embark on the biggest adventure of our lives—the Pacific Crest Trail. Patrik is a marketer, and Adel is an architect. What connects us is our love for nature, the freedom of simply walking forward, and the joy of living in the present moment. Throughout our journey on the PCT, we plan to create content and share our experiences—the highs, the lows, and everything in between.

Hello there! My name is James (He/Him/His)! I’m a therapist with a passion for adventure therapy, blending the outdoors with personal growth. Ever since I was 16, I’ve dreamed of hiking the Appalachian Trail, and now it’s finally happening! Originally from Utah, I thrive in the mountains—whether it’s skiing, hiking, or just soaking up nature with good friends. I’m excited to meet new people, form a trail family, and check this lifelong goal off my bucket list. Let’s hit the trail!

Hey all, I'm Becks! I'm a stay at home, homeschooling mom of seven amazing kiddos. Avid outdoor lovers, spending thousands of hours outside per year. this year we are attempting a thru hike of the Pacific Crest Trail.

Hi. My name is Rómulo. I live with my wife and two dogs in the Central Mountain Range (Cordillera Central) of the Dominican Republic and will be attempting my first tru-hike of the Appalachian Trail starting in April. After decades living in the US, I settled back in my native island and became an independent contractor in the hospitality industry. As a result of my work I spend a significant amount of the year supporting hotels in the US. This has given me the opportunity to travel and meet amazing people throughout the country. I am a Soto Zen practitioner, mindfulness instructor, outdoors enthusiast and part-time hiker. I am looking forward to meeting some of you on the AT this year and contributing to this beautiful community of hikers.

Hi! I am Ruth, or Sailor. I hiked the Colorado Trail in 2022-2023. In 2025, I am attempting the Loowit Trail, Timberline Trail, and Wonderland Trail. Off-trail, I am a professional classical singer/voice teacher, though you might not believe that if you hear me singing to ward off animals!

Ryan “KidzMeal” Gallagher was born and raised in The Woodlands, Texas where he fell in love with the outdoors while achieving the rank of Eagle Scout in Scouting America (formerly Boy Scouts of America). Seeking to make a career out of studying the natural world, Ryan attended the University of Texas at Austin and earned a bachelor's degree in Geography in 2018 with the plan to work in water conservation. While there, Ryan also helped found the Longhorn Outdoors Club to find others to camp with and create an avenue for future students to connect with the outdoors. After college, Ryan struggled to find meaningful environmental work that would pay the bills, so he pursued work as a GIS Analyst and took advantage of every opportunity away from the office to explore the vast landscapes of Central and West Texas. Despite these short trips, he still felt a nagging urge to get outside and reconnect with the outdoors community. So in March of 2023, he sold half of his belongings, moved into storage, and thru-hiked the 2,198 mile Appalachian Trail. While on the trail, he fell in love with the thru-hiking dirtbag lifestyle and (more importantly) his sweetheart Anna Tallmadge (aka “The Instigator”). Ryan met Anna at mile 344 on the porch of Uncle Johnny’s where he didn’t give her a hard cider because he “didn’t know her” and they have been hiking together ever since. After the Appalachian Trail, Ryan and Anna moved in together, along with Ryan’s grumpy 40-something-year-old Three-Toed Box Turtle (Boxy) to an apartment in Seattle, Washington so that they could have unparalleled access to the Pacific Northwest’s incredible public lands. Despite spending the last year climbing volcanoes, exploring islands, and hiking through old-growth forests, both Ryan and Anna have felt the persistent urge to return to thru-hiking. So on March 22, 2025, they will arrive in Campo, California to begin the 2,650 mile Pacific Crest Trail!

Sarah was born and raised in Hawai'i, which started her love for all things outdoors. This passion grew when she moved to the mainland in 2010 for work and educational opportunities. When Sarah got her first dog, Rogue the retired racing greyhound, she started hiking with him and the rest is history! During 2020 she started training Jyn, the terrier extraordinaire, to follow in Rogue's paw prints as a trail dog. They started their backpacking journey together and couldn't get enough! Sarah is proud to be representing other queer women of color out on the Appalachian Trail in 2025.

35 y/o Jewish gal from England, living nomadically since 2017. Michelin trained chef, professional beer pourer, wanderer, dreamer, world traveller. Walked the Pacific Crest Trail in 2022 in search of adventure, mountains and to fall in love with myself. Thru hiked the Appalachian Trail in 2024 because life simply hasn’t made sense since the PCT. Excited to be starting NOBO on the CDT end of April!

My name is Shan and I began spending more time outdoors after a mastectomy and retinal issues radically changed my outlook on life. After 2020 (we all know what happened there) derailed my plans to hike the Pacific Crest Trail, I set my sights on Scotland. That first trip—hiking the West Highland Way and Great Glen Way—marked a shift in the way I would live my life going forward. Since then I’ve returned several times, hiking multiple trails in the United Kingdom and even dipping my toes into bike packing with a 10-day 10 island traverse of the Hebridean Way in the remote and wild Outer Hebrides. In 2025 I will be embarking on the biggest adventure I have yet undertaken (other than parenthood)—the 2,650 mile Pacific Crest Trail.

Hey y'all! I'm Collin (Short Shorts) and I'll be thru hiking the Appalachian Trail in 2025. Unlike most, I haven't been planning this for more than a few months. I just graduated college and decided last minute to take a break and have an adventure. I'm an aerospace engineer who loves Jesus, ultrarunning, craft beer, and the great outdoors. Follow along with me as I head to Mama K! Soli Deo Gloria

Hiking the PCT in 2025 is the biggest thing I´ve ever done and my dream for the last 17 years! I´m Simon and the hike is my personal peak of a 2 years travel break from work. Can´t wait to share my adventures with you <3

After 25 years in the Canadian Airforce, I have been struggling with major chronic pain for the last 10 years which at one point confined me to a couch 20 hours a day unable to do anything nor sleep. Refusing to accept the fact that i could not hike anymore i embarked on a very long and difficult journey to fight against pain while also trying to live with it. Major changes in treatment and pure stubbornness enabled me to start walking from a few hundred yards a day to miles in a matter of years. I now can combine my amateur radio hobby with hiking for a sideline activity called “Summits on the air”, where i bring a portable radio set on a summit and contact “chasers” for points. I will attempt thru hiking the Long Trail and document my hike, trying to hack a way trough the daily pains which are still very much present.

Hi! Welcome to my profile. My name is Courtney (A.K.A Smiles) & I am an aspiring 2025 AT Thru-hiker. This will be my second attempt after making it about 250 miles in 2024. I am so excited to give it another shot and am happy to take you along on my journey!

Nature-lover, spreadsheet warrior, amateur yogi and thru-hiker also known as Snapchat. I like books, giggle fits, and fried potatoes in any form. AT '17. CW ' 18. TCT '21. PCT '23. WHW '24. CDT '25.

Hi everyone! I'm Isabel aka Spaghetti (she/her) and I'm currently hiking the Camino de Santiago via the Northern Route in Spain! I was born and raised in North Carolina and will always think of it as home. I recently finished graduate school and will be starting my career in the fall. I'm doing my best to take advantage of this time between finishing school and a dream job by traveling, connecting with family & friends, and now hiking the Camino! Thanks for joining me on this journey <3

Howdy y'all. Starfish checking in for hikertrash duty. I'll be attempting several thru-hike adventures this season starting with the Arizona Trail, followed by a LASH (long *cough* section hike) on the Pacific Crest Trail (Truckee, CA - the WA/OR border), and saving the best for the last: the Pacific Northwest Trail which I am super stoked for! My HikerTrash journey began in 2012 when I completed the Appalachian Trail southbound. When not on trail I’m a rising star in a field I'm falling more and more in love with: massage therapy. I'm fascinated by fascia and grateful that I get to live out my childhood dream of helping people. I’m also a proud big sister to 4 crazy siblings & Aunty/Godmomma to my niece and nephew. I can't wait to be on trail and in my element with y'all along for the ride! If you want to keep up with me after my shenanigans this year, I'd be honored; give me a follow on insta @starfishhikes. Never stop exploring. Embrace the suck. I. Believe. In. YOU. kk ily <3

Hey-oo!! Trail name Near-miss here. AT ‘23 alum, CDT ‘24 alum, 29/58 Colorado 14ers and 2/7 Summits. I’m thru hiking the AZT in prep for an unguided (and possibly solo) attempt at Denali in the summer. I’m also on a quest to finish the rest of the Colorado 14ers before the end of the year. I’ll be writing all about these experiences/attempts. Follow along if interested! 😁🎿🥾🏔️

Howdy 👋! I’m Steve, trail name Ninja 🥷 - a husband, Dad, Grandpa, Ultrarunner, Hiker, Fisherman and lover of the outdoors from Central VA! I’ll be thru-hiking the A.T., the Lord willin’, in ‘25! Come along with me on my journey as I prepare, set off and write about my 2198 mile walkabout! Keep smilin’!

Hi All! My trail name is Stevie Wonder (he/him) and am excited you found your way to my page on The Trek! I'm a 36-year old hiker and explorer of wild places. Prior to 2019, I lived my entire life in West Michigan when, after going through a divorce and needing a change, I stumbled on to the Pacific Crest Trail. Since that first thru-hike, I have found my trail legs and have lived a somewhat nomadic life, altering my career path to include seasonal land stewardship jobs working on public lands in Utah, Alaska, and in Yosemite National Park! I also completed the Continental Divide Trail in 2022 and have snuck in some smaller treks throughout the years too. I love documenting adventures through journals and photos feeling it creates a connection I wouldn't otherwise have with folks living all over the world. My past stories are posted at wanderingstevie.com and I just started a YouTube channel (@stevie.g.wonder) with a few videos too. I'm excited to join The Trek to bring y'all along on my biggest journey yet... The Eastern Continental Trail!!!

Sunny and Wally (aka Bumblebee and Diesel) are a father-daughter duo thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail. Our blog will be written from the perspectives of all of our family members as we either hike, support, offer trail magic, or remain behind at home! Join us on our latest family "epic adventure!"

I’m a mom of four incredible kids. Three are autistic, and my fourth has ADHD. Neurodiversity runs deep in our family, and so does resilience. I’ve spent years teaching my children that the world is still theirs to explore—that nature belongs to everyone, no matter how they think, feel, or move through it. This Appalachian Trail journey is for them. But it’s also for me. After years of pouring myself into motherhood, this trail is a reclamation—a chance to reconnect with who I am beneath the noise. Out here, with nothing but the forest and my pack, I feel strong, grounded, and fully alive. It’s also for my grandma, who passed away in December from lung cancer. She was my best friend, my biggest believer, and the voice who reminded me I could do hard things. I carry her with me every step, in every mile, in every sunrise. I’m passionate about lightweight gear, deep forest quiet, and the mental freedom that hiking gives me. I don’t just hike for the miles—I hike for healing, for growth, and for the legacy I’m leaving my children. This isn’t just a walk in the woods. It’s everything.

My name is Elayna "To-Go", and hiking the AT in 2025 will be my first experience thru-hiking! You can blame all the other bloggers on the Trek for making me think this was a good idea... Follow along on by subscribing to my blog and my YouTube channel! https://www.youtube.com/@OriginalSpacewhale

Hey! My name is Unity! My hiker trash story started in 2020 when I got laid off from my job because of Covid. I had no where to go because my housing is usually tied to my employment. So I was looking for something to do. I had never really backpacked before that but decided ultimately to hike the Appalachian Trail and when work called me back 2 months later I declined the offer to return and the rest is history. I completed a flip-flop hike of the AT that year. The following year I flip-flopped the Continental Divide Trail. In 2022 I thru hiked the Ice Age Trail from east to west. In 2023 I LASHed 800 miles on the PCT. In 2024 I started my trail family out on the first 400 miles of their AT thru. I have also completed many miles on the North Country Trail as I reside in Michigan most often in the off seasons. That brings us to 2025!!!! This year I am trekking from Mexico to Canada again! Only this time starting out in Arizona. We are following a trail called the 8 Wonders Trail. Named for the 8 National Parks it crosses through along the way. We will hike through Saguaro and Grand Canyon following the full Arizona Trail. From there we will follow the Hayduke through Capital Reef, and Bryce Canyon. After that we follow the Great Western Trail and a connector route into Grand Teton and connect that to Yellowstone and the Continental Divide. We follow the Divide all the way thru Glacier National Park and finally finish our hike at Waterton Provincial Park. Wow I’m excited just typing this out. Lambchop, (Who you will get to know if you read) is one third of my trail family. She deserves much of the credit for deciding to hike the AZT and ultimately the 8 Wonders trail. We are working close with the designer of the trail and also with members of the board for the Great Western Trail. To push for official designation of the whole trail and also to try to secure the Great Western Trail as a non-motorized Scenic trail. We are greatly honored to try to push for the land use that we fell in love with. We hope to be some of the first people to ever thru hike this route. If you want to follow Lambchop she is posting our journey at www.instagram.com/lambchop.offgrid/ Thanks for reading as I share this journey! Unity ✌️

Hey! I'm Will and I'll be hiking the AT in 2025. I'm a recent Ohio State grad and I'm training to become a commercial pilot. I've been backpacking for five years now, and I'm ready for a real challenge. I'm really looking forward to diving into trail culture and making some new friends!