My name is Dan Coy, from Atlanta, Georgia, occupation: jazz guitarist, a former competitive cyclist with State and National titles, husband, father, grandfather, brother, and dog-lover. I enjoy photography, cooking, drawing, running, camping, hiking, and lots of other wacky stuff.

Hey everyone, my name is Adam. I'm a student at Bowling Green State University studying creative writing and sociology. Aside from school, I'm an avid seeker of adventure and experience. My list of hobbies (more like obsessions), include competitive bass fishing, kayaking, white-water rafting, road-tripping, hiking, texas-holdem, and when I'm stuck in school...reading. Over the past three years, I've spent most of my time road-tripping around the United States—focused on visiting National Parks/Forests. Favorite National Park & Sea-Shore: Glacier Lake National Park and Padre Island National Sea-Shore. Favorite Book(s): Odyssey by Homer, Ecotopia by Callenbach, and Into The Wild by Krakauer. I'm planning on starting my 2018 thru-hike on March 15th.

Wassup! My name is Anna (or AJ). I am spoiled and get to live in the beautiful mountains of East Tennessee. I am a pediatric nurse, wife, twin, aunt, planner, encourager and lover of all things outdoors! (Except mosquitos... mainly because of their affinity for me.) Looking forward to a flip flop hike with my hubby this May! (2018)

My name is Alex and I dig mountains. I grew up in southern New Hampshire taking summer car-camping trips with my family to the Whites, gazing out the back window at their massive stature and dreaming of sitting at the top of them. When I'm not out in the back country or stuck at my day job, I build and repair guitars and other fretted instruments. Next spring I'm attempting a northbound thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail. Join me for some general trip preparation, training hikes, highfalutin' philosophical musings, bear stories, and more.

What's up from Brooklyn! City-dweller turned backpacker. Normally, you would find me biking around NYC and hanging out in Greenpoint, but I'm leaving the city for a Southbound thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail. I love living in the city AND leaving it. Finding the perfect balance is what I'm all about. www.theconcretehiker.com

Hi! My name is Allie Bull. I am a recent graduate of Johns Hopkins University where I studied Environmental Studies & International Studies. I grew up in Vermont, hiking and snowboarding in the Green Mountains. I've thru-hiked the Colorado Trail and the Long Trail, but I can't wait to embark on this Appalachian Trail journey. Follow me from Georgia to Maine!

Taking my AT SOBO trip one step at a time! Excited to be exercising my adventure muscles and practicing photosynthesis while following white blazes. Springer, I'm coming for ya!!!!

I like to hike long trails but I am not very good at it. Hiking Florida Trail in 2018. Granite Gear Groundskeeper for the trail this year, as well... leave it better!!!

A photo-taking, video-shooting, trail-running, rock-climbing, book-reading, podcast-listening, quarter-of-a-century-year-old that loves the vast and immeasureable things in life. I also love breakfast and pizza (sometimes these two are one and the same), my family, and seeing the world around me in new ways. I'll be hiking north on the AT this summer – want to follow along?

Have you ever tried spreading cold butter on toast? I'm like the human version of that. I'm a quirky and complex mess with an unrequited love for anything dairy. Shiny hair is my life's ambition and I'm ashamed of what I've done for a Klondike bar. More importantly than that, I am an aspiring 2018 Appalachian trail thru hiker on a mission to use that time to raise awareness and money for the Minnesota Coalition for Battered Women. If you want to get to know me better, I encourage you to visit my website- www.merakiwild.com.

Doctor. Aspiring writer. Seeker of adventures. Lover of the mountains, dogs, physiology, and old books; happiest when outside. Embarking on a Southbound pilgrimage of the PCT in 2018 in memory of a dear friend lost. Also looking forward to eating lots of cheese.

Howdy fellow trekkers! My name is Anna (trail name Spooky) and my favorite activities are sleeping and eating waffles! I hiked the first 1,200 miles of the PCT in the summer of 2018 and will be finishing the trail as soon as I can!

Hi! Welcome to my blog! I'm Anna and I'm a wanna-be AT thru-hiker. I've only been hiking for about 9 months, but if that's enough time to make an entire person, it's definitely enough time to become hiker trash. Some points to follow along for: 1. I'm going stoveless! 2. A hammock will be my resting place. 3. Sober hiker Follow along on my journey from Springer to Katahdin, beginning in mid-March.

Hi! I hiked 250 miles of the Pacific Crest Trail in 2017 and 800 miles in 2018. My favourite place to be is outside, either in the mountains or in the ocean. I am a scientist, writer, actor, traveller and sea turtle whisperer. I am also a student of the universe trying to find an answer to the ultimate question "Who am I...really?"

My name is April and I’m going to be hiking the PCT in 2018 with my best friend and lover, Jake. Since thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail in 2014 we haven’t been able to settle down. We got a taste of the adventure, freedom, and simplicity and we want that back. The past 4 years we have continued traveling in the USA, testing out different states. Currently we are rocking it in Tucson, AZ testing out our desert tolerance before the PCT. My personal website is: www.breakingopenthenutshell.com if youd like to follow all our adventures.

Hello. My friends know me as Bux and my tenitive trail name is Boomer, as in baby boomer, from my blog www.Hippiehike.com I will be a Flip-Flopping hiker starting NOBO from HF then SOBO from HF starting in late April. I am a life long hippie and first time backpacker. Peace.

Hello everybody! My name is Ashley, trail name is Yardsale! I have made it to around mile 950 on the Appalachian Trail and plan on finishing it within the next year and a half. I am attending another expedition down the Grand Canyon in November 2019. I also have plans to hike the John Muir trail in the next couple of years! Currently, I am raft guiding on the Chattooga River. I grew up hiking around the North Georgia mountains with my Father and my Uncle, so the love for the outdoors runs deep for me. I pride myself on breaking stereotypes and showing the world that people of all sizes can be outdoorsy!

Hey! I’m Ashley (better known on the AT as Seven), and I thru-hiked the Appalachian Trail in 2018. Hiking the trail changed my life! Follow along in 2020 on my Florida Trail thru-hike!

I'm Ashton, and I'll be starting my northbound thru hike of the AT in March 2018. I live in Madison, Wisconsin, and this past year, I've been everything from sailing instructor, to biology TA, to barista. I usually spend my summers in a boat or on a bike, but this year I'm excited to tackle some mountains instead.

Hi - I'm Barb, older than I look :-), and have had Type 1 diabetes since I was 25. I have dealt with that primarily by running, swimming and hiking as often as possible in hot Orlando. As I recently celebrated 20 years of working in communications and marketing at a large research university I began to wonder what it would feel like to write less about science and more about day-to-day life. Kind of like what journalists used to do. So contingent on approval from various docs, I plan to begin a thru-hike of the AT at the end of March while my husband Dennis tends to our two greyhounds and keeps track of me via GPS. I hope to meet some if not all of you along with way and hear your stories as well.

I'm an 2018 Appalachian Trail Thru-Hiker starting March 29th-ish. Mechanical Engineering major graduated from UNH in December 2017, I'm an eagle scout and have a dog named Bella who will be hiking by my side. I am an avid rugby player but also sing in an a cappella group, over all just a giant teddy bear with a little teddy bear by my side.

My name is Brittney and I will be hiking the Pacific Crest Trail in 2018. This will be my 1st thru-hike. I was born and raised in Texas but since then have moved a lot for my old job as a Park Ranger. During my five years as a ranger I traveled and worked in many different National Parks in California, Utah, and Alaska. While I no longer am a ranger I still am passionate about protecting theses beautiful wild places and promoting stewardship and Leave No Trace values. Hiking the PCT has been something I've wanted to do for years. After losing my job this last summer I decided that this is my opportunity to do it. So this May, as I turn 30, I will be beginning the journey of a life time. Feel free to also check out my Youtube Channel, Wandering Brittney. Thanks

Hey there! I'm Britney, and I'm attempting a SOBO thru-hike on the Appalachian Trail. I completed the northern bit of the Camino earlier this year and realized I really like walking! I mean -- I don't like to brag -- but I've been walking now for about 24 years (give or take a few months) and am really stoked to hit the hills I grew up in. Thanks for checking out my page!

Hello, internet neighbor! You may know me personally and have arrived at this blog hoping to keep up to date on my thru-hike or you happened upon my blog randomly because you 1) have an interest in the Appalachian Trail or 2) mistyped a google query and wound up clicking my link out of curiosity. Regardless, welcome! My wife, Lauren, and I are two relatively young (30’s) outdoor enthusiasts who, two years ago, decided to take on the Appalachian Trail. Since then, we’ve done everything within our means to make it a reality. Today, we’re doing it and you - you lucky dog - can follow along! So, thanks for stopping by to read and share in this experience with us. Whether you came knowing what you’d find or arrived at the site by accident, we’re excited to expose you to the wonders of the A.T.!

Hi! I'm Caitlin. In 2016 I hiked the Appalachian Trail SOBO and went by Philosopher. I ran into some forest fires at the end of my hike then, and it seems like I might do the same this summer on the Colorado Trail. Soon to be Law Student. Hiker of trails, runner of roads, climber of rocks, lifter of weights, destroyer of patriarchy.

Cat mom, plant mom, dog mom. Library lady by profession, student of Anthropology. Tejana, Xicana, feminist, reader. 2017 CT thruhiker, and aspiring 2018 PCT thruhiker.

Hey y'all! I'm Carol, from South Carolina, but known on the AT as "Overload" because I tend to carry an "overloaded" pack. I got into mountaineering in 2017 and have a few technical climbs under my belt and I would like to "climb every mountain" technical and non-technical.

Hey everyone, my name is Ray “OneFoot” Galli, I’m 50 years old and just finished a 20 year career in the CT Department of Corrections. An Appalachian Trail thru-hike has been on my mind for many years. Cheryl, my wife of nearly 30 years, and I have spent years talking about and planning for my walk for 2018. Now, it seems, my time has finally come! The kids are grown (though not fully independent quite yet), the house is sold and the career that supported my family well but never fulfilled me is soon to be in the past. I’ve always had a passion for hiking and backpacking and have done about 500 miles in sections on the AT. I grew up in Vermont and enjoyed a lot of time hunting, fishing, hiking and playing in the woods as a kid and teen. Time to start walking and see where this journey leads me. Cheryl and I will be blogging together; me from the trail, she from home in Connecticut…Oh, and my trail name comes from my frequent reminders to myself & others to just put one foot in front of the other – & see where the journey takes you. Cheryl's trail (angel) name is Should Be Good...for her response to nearly every adventure I suggest.

Hey, I like sports. Typical 20 something year old trying to figure this life thing out. Looking to go for a long walk.

Hey, my name is Cieria (pronounced Sierra), but everyone calls me Rera (Rare-ah) because my baby sister couldn't say my name correctly. I'm a native Floridian, but moved to Georgia a few years ago and am currently attending university for a double major of Spanish and Criminal Justice. My fiance and I graduate college in December and we're planning on thru hiking the Appalachian Trail starting in March 2018 with our two dogs, a Siberian Husky named Zara, and a terrier mix named Leo. Follow us on our thru hike with two wild hoodlum pups to see what craziness we encounter.

How do I describe who I am? There are so many ways to describe myself, but not one that encompasses the many layers of my life. I am a wife, mother, sister, daughter. I am a dog lover, beekeeper, gardener, photographer, painter, writer. I am a Criminologist, researcher, and PhD. Much of my life, I have spent accumulating material things, like a big house, the nice furniture, the cool car, the awesome job. I drank the social kool-aid and bought into the idea that my worth was tied to money. I am currently in my mid-life, maybe a mid-life crisis, maybe a mid-life rebirth. In this mid-life chapter, I am reevaluating what's important and who I am. What words will I use to describe me for the second half of my life? I begin this chapter re-imagining self; I begin with transitioning to a minimalist lifestyle and detoxing from the social kool-aid. As part of my detox therapy, my ambition is to describe myself as thru-hiker of the Appalachian Trail in 2018.

My name is Clara, trail name “Pulitzer,” and I am flip-flop hiking the Appalachian Trail starting May 2018. I am from Duluth, Minnesota, but grew up in Canandaigua, New York, and went to school in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. This trail runs deep in my family so I am excited to be able to link together the small sections I have hiked already. From Harpers Ferry, I am flip-flop hiking first NOBO, then SOBO.

I am a 23 year old from Ontario, Canada and a 2018 PCT thru-hike hopeful. In 2016 I hiked the Camino de Santiago, 500miles across France & Spain and haven't taken my eyes off of the PCT since.

Hi! I'm Danny. I play the piano and make music on Broadway (mostly), but usually prefer to be outside in the woods somewhere. I attempted a 2018 thru-hike of the AT, but didn't finish. So I'm finishing in my own time and continuing to write about it here. I hope we'll meet up out there. I'll be the guy with the rose quartz hanging off his pack who also happens to be singing show tunes.

Hi there! My name is Dayze and I am a 2018 Appalachian Trail thru-hiker with my dog Flynn! We will be walking our way from Georgia all the way back home to Maine starting March 1st! After that we will hopefully be continuing on to veterinary school. Flynn and I like long naps on the couch, any and all breakfast foods, old worn sneakers, cows, peanut butter, and of course mountain views!

6,850 miles, 550+ days, 17 countries, more than 120 natural parks, 4 seasons and hundreds of encounters,... Deux Pas Vers L’Autre, means -Two Steps Towards others- Embark with us in this unique European Thru-hike! Marie: Before starting this adventure I was a human resources manager in a huge French company and I am also a Sociology graduate. Understanding and knowing people has always animated me, which is why I chose to make a career of it. Travel and hiking addict since teenage, 2PVA remains a challenge for me Nil: My area of expertise is the visual world, telling stories with pictures. For nearly ten years, I have been working as a photographer and a video director @nil_hope . After a number of autonomous Thru-hikes and adventures, I felt the need to mix my work with my passion in something bigger, a project towards others.

My name is Marcia, trail name Drama Mama. I’m a 2018 Appalachian Trail Thru hiker, NoBo. My son is hiking with me. We have a target start day of Feb 18, hopefully before the mad rush. I’m a wife, mom and daughter. I love my family, my dog and the outdoors. My dad gave me the advise of “retire early and live life” so after over 30 years in public service I’m doing exactly that. I mountain bike, kayak and trail run. However, when my son asked me to hike the AT with him what else could I say but YES! Now life as I know it will be put on hold and the adventure begins.....

Hello beautiful people! I just graduated from college and I'm ready for more adventures. I have two degrees, one in Anthropology and the other in Philosophy. I can sometimes rant about things i'm passionate about but I'm always open to other people's POV. I love being outside and doing yoga poses with killer backgrounds. The last book I read was Pride and Prejudice and the book i'm currently reading is The Book on the taboo against knowing who you are by Alan Watts. I'm literally just looking around my room and writing about the things I see lol. I started learning the guitar two months ago. Dachshunds are my favorite dog breed. Those short little legs just get to me! Also, I love to be outdoors! If I could wake up and go hiking everyday that would be heaven! I guess it's a good thing I'm leaving to thru hike the Appalachian trail next month!! I'm so stoked about it! Besides blogging here, I also have my own blog, outsidethegardenblog.com, where I drone on randomly like this. My AT hike will primarily be documented here but some randomness from the trail will end up over there.

Hey! My name is Eiryn (pronounced Erin- translated 'Ireland'...strange, I know) and I am thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail in 2018. I grew up in the mountains of North Carolina and in December, will graduate college with a degree in Photojournalism. Other than hiking, I'm a huge fan of photography, traveling abroad, running, and coffee. I'm stoked about this trip and hope you all enjoy following along!

I am a Texan who moved to Montana in 2004 and I'm living here happily ever after. I compete with my dogs in agility competitions and other dog sports. I also enjoy hiking and backpacking.

Well hey there, world. My name is Eliza and I'm an Appalachian Trail thru-hiker. Fun fact: I still have one baby tooth that I will never lose (it's a genetic thing). Also I like foggy mornings, old books, and the mountains.

Hi! I'm Emily, but I go by Fine Line when hiking. A few years ago, I hiked through Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont on the Appalachian Trail. In 2018 I'll be thru-hiking the Eastern Continental Trail (ECT), which leads from Key West, Florida to Cap Gaspé, Quebec. In the process of completing the ECT, I'll also hike the Florida Trail and the Appalachian Trail.

Hi there! My name is Erin, and if all goes as planned I will be turning 25 on the Appalachian Trail in 2018! I am from Maryland, I am body positive, and I believe in ghosts. I can't wait to be outside every day and to meet all the people hiking this year.

Yep, it is really happening! This 31 year old Dutch woman (girl?) from one of the flattest countries in the world is going to try and conquer the ancient mountains of the USA on the Appalachian Trail, starting in March of 2018. I still go by my real-life name of Esther, momentarily enjoying the sedentary life of a financial administration job, happily living in the big city of Amsterdam. Having studied Cultural Anthropology, I have an innate interest in other cultures and a craving for adventure, that I somehow also need to balance with my more introvert and careful character. But I love a challenge!

Evan is a writer and photographer based in Vermont.

Hi, my name is Fernando. I'm an Appalachian Trail thru-hiker. I'm into punk, comics, and beer. I spent years struggling with my mental health until the trail brought me peace. That's where I want to stay.

I'm an avid hiker, a gram weenie, a budding climber, a reformed Chaco hater and current devotee, a former cat socializer and DI “Athlete” (fencing el oh el). I find I'm most happy when I'm outside. ”“I’m Gabe Foster – I speak for the trees” - Grant Pieples” - Wayne Gretzky” - Michael Scott

Hi, everyone! I’m a 63-year old romance novelist whose thru-hike was derailed by injuries last year. Now I'm back, inching my way along the remainder of the trail because, apparently, I'm too stubborn (or foolhardy) to give up. I hope you’ll join me on my trek.

I’m a 24 year old professional/daughter/sister/cat mom living in Toronto. I’ve quit my job, ended my lease, and am departing for the adventure of a lifetime: thru-hiking the Scenic Pacific Crest Trail. Afterwards, I’ll be moving to Italy.

Hey everyone. I'm Greg "Pegleg" Simpson. My itch for backpacking started on a trip to Peru with my mom to hike the Inca Trail from Cusco to Machu Picchu. It was on that trip that I began playing around with the idea of hiking the Appalachian Trail. Fast forward four year 2012 and I'm standing on top of Katahdin about to start my SOBO thru hike of the AT and not knowing what the hell I had just gotten myself into. Upon finishing in Georgia, the idea was to begin planning for the PCT that next year. As many of us know, adulting took precedent and so here I am six years later about to embark on my second thru hike. My hope is that I can provide some sort of insight to those interested in the thru hiking culture or even inspiration those dreaming of a thru hike themselves.

Hey there! I'm Hanna from Michigan, an AT NOBO starting March 14th. Other than hiking, I enjoy travelling to new places, learning about people, and reading new ideas and stories. I'm excited to share my AT thru hike with you and hope it sparks your own adventure.

Aspiring thru-hiker, current LASHer, social worker in the in between. 1000 miles of the PCT in 2018, all of AZT in 2019 (work in progress). Heading out into the desert with my pack, one floppy hat, and my good friend Dump Truck. Follow along to see if we learn how to do this desert thing, and if a diet of 85% PBFit meets necessary nutrient requirements.

Hiker, Historian, and Writer. Looking forward to my 2018 Flip Flop Hike of the Appalachian Trail!

Hey everyone my name is James Thomson, aka Grumpy Gramps. I'm from Maine and currently live in north Florida. I will be flip/flop hiking the AT starting in mid-April from Springer to Harpers Ferry and then from Katahdin back to Harpers Ferry. I retired from the United States Coast Guard in 2014 after a 27 year career, and it's now time to start on my bucket list. If you are interested in some no nonsense, funny (at times), and "stay off my lawn you young punks" grumpy blog posts, I would be happy to take you along on this adventure.

A glacier gallivanting gal from the lakes of Minnesota and Wisconsin. Home is found in the fjords of Alaska and Iceland, and in the unknown. BA from UW-Madison in Environmental Studies and Film. My goal is to bring positive change wherever I go and live a good and simple life outside through adventure and film. 2018 PCT thru hiker!!

In 2016, my solo thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail brought me more strength and confidence than I knew were possible. So in 2018, I wanted to empower more young women to embark on their own personal transformation journeys. That’s why I hiked 2,300 miles of the Pacific Crest Trail to fundraise for three women-run organizations that teach girls self-respect, bravery and camaraderie in the outdoors. Learn more about the project at janelgazelle.com.

Hey, we're the Robinson's. We currently live in Steamboat Springs, CO by way of Exeter, New Hampshire. We enjoy tacos, slaying pow, dancing, backcountry adventures, desert trips, fresh beats, taking a good joke too far, a warm cup of tea, and occasionally some peace and fucking quiet. Join us for our Southbound stroll of the AT starting June 17.

Hey I’m Jenna, MA native and hiking northbound- heading home starting in April 2018. Mt. Washington NH was my first ever hike- and foreshadowed my fondness of the outdoors since I was 12. Since then I’ve discovered a yearning of working outdoors along with living off what I’ve got on my back. Once I got over halfway through hiking the New Hampshire 4000 footers in one summer I decided I may as well walk 2200 miles across mountains while I’m attaining my bucket list goals. Excited to do some yoga, read as many books as I can handle, and consume even more pizza than that. Follow my trek through my blog here & on instagram @jennnerrr !

Girl 25, (Spirit) backpacker - 28 countries, usually broke, retired basketball player, pretty lost. SOBO attempt July 1st. Hiking the trail is probably easier than the decision to get a job. Be part of my Maine to Georgia struggles and triumphs!

Hi! I'm Jesi O. I grew up in the Appalachian coalfields and can't remember my first hike or hymn. Still, adventure and music have been the core passions of my life. I enjoyed 15 years beach-living on the Virginia coast, and have spent the last few years globetrotting all over the world while working remotely for a travel brand. I've been a freelance writer for almost 20 years and am excited to blog a little about my upcoming adventures on the AT in 2018!

Investor, Writer, and doting husband to Ms.Coco and our puppy Norman G Bates. We also try to spend lots of time in the outdoors between al the reading and writing we do.

Hi!! We are Jonathan & Holly Mueth and we are hiking the Colorado Trail in 2018. Born, raised, and living in the cornfields of Southern Illinois but our hearts belong to the mountains. We're excited to be living life above 10,000 ft this summer and looking forward to bagging some peaks in addition to our 486 mile journey on the CT!

I am a grandmother of 2 sweet little girls and one handsome baby boy. I have a son and daughter. They are both married to wonderful spouses and my husband has 2 sons (that I consider my own), one is married to an amazing woman and the other single. My husband and I no longer have children at home and we enjoy biking and camping in our 30 foot travel trailer--my husband's idea of roughing it. I love hiking/backpacking and when I'm not teaching Freshman Composition at a community college, I spend my summers backpacking on the Appalachian Trail. This summer I will be hiking the whole trail; doing a flip/flop starting at Harpers Ferry, WV.

Hi! My name is Kat and I'm 25 years old. I am originally from Minnesota, but currently reside in Florida. I love Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, my dog, and peanut butter. I like long walks in the woods and hot black coffee in the morning. Catch me Nobo Thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail starting the end of February, 2018, or just keep up with me here from the familiar comfort of your home or office.

Hey all! I'm Kate, an East Coast native who will be setting out to thru hike the Pacific Crest Trail in April 2018 bound for Canada. Thru hiking has always been a dream for me, so what better time than the present? I look forward to meeting amazing people, witnessing breathtaking views, and documenting my journey along the way. When I'm not planning for this hike, you'll find me hiking in the White Mountains, rock climbing, traveling, or seeking out craft beer and delicious food in the great city of Boston. Join me as I experience this grand adventure, here on The Trek and on my personal blog, TicketToExplore.com!

Hi everyone, I'm Sassafras. I grew up in the rural Midwest, spent some time in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, and have hopped around the Mid-Atlantic and New England the last few years before settling in Maine. I'm a hiker, writer, and triathlete in my mid-thirties, and I do a lot of whooping at races and on the trail. I'll be taking a break from software product management to hike the AT NOBO starting in March 2018 and doing my best to make #hikerswithsass a compliment.

Hi, I'm No Worries and I'll be hiking the Appalachian Trail in 2018! I'm an avid outdoor enthusiast, outdoor industry employee and dog lover. I enjoy craft beer, cheese curds and chocolate!

Raider is a hiking addict, and grad of the AT class of 2017.

Hi, I'm Spirit, and I'm NOBO on the PCT in 2018! I'm from Texas originally, but have also spent time in Portland, NYC, Montana, & New Jersey. This is my first thru-hike.

What's good my friends? I'm Katie a hopeful Nobo Appalachian Trail thru-hiker. Know for being one up for adventures and saying yes to most things that probably won't get me killed. I'm a photographer and I've got a soft spot for people and their stories so I've always got an ear that's ready to listen. I enjoy walking and so I thought a long walk the woods would be nice. Excited to see what the trail has in-store for me and all the unknown adventures I will have.

Hey y'all! My name is KD. I am a super tall, super outgoing, super goofy AT Thru Hiker! I've been wanting to Thru Hike since I was 16 years old, and after 3 years, 2 majors, and 4 eighteen credit semesters I finally am getting my chance. I had a really cool job in college where I got to take students on Adventure Trips. I am an LNT Trainer, lifeguard, and WFR, but a real achievement of mine is being able to eat an entire bucket of movie theater popcorn. Things that I've done that make my mom worry: Dirt-bagged around the Pacific North West, hung out with bears, hitched hiked around New Zealand, smelling really bad, befriend hobos, and Thru Hiking the AT!

I'm just a girl, standing in front of a mountain, asking if I can hike it.

Hey folks! I'm Kelsy (AKA Beamer) and I hiked the Appalachian Trail NOBO with my partner Nugget by my side. Welcome to all of the blood, mud, sweat, smiles, tears, beers,that we experienced here, in the form of a blog.

Hi! I’m Kreg. In 2018, I thru-hiked the 2,190-mile Appalachian Trail southbound from Maine to Georgia. My backpacking career started as an undergrad at Harvard where I led orientation trips for freshmen (woohoo, FOP!). After spending 7 years as a high school teacher and dean in Brooklyn, I decided that it was time to get back on the trail. Now that I'm finished with my hike, we'll see what adventure comes next. :)

Hey there! I'm Laura, a southern lady living in the beautiful PNW. I'm a lover of sunrises, medicinal herbs, poetry, gummy worms, and lofty run-on sentences. After being tossed around by life for a little bit, I've decided to take a reboot by hiking the Appalachian Trail in 2018. If you come along on this journey with me, you will be privy to my insights into the characters found on the trail, the constancy of my cold, cold feet, and a widow's sense of humor. As I like to say, feel free to hang out with me as I explore life after it all falls apart.

After years of dreaming my wife Sarah and I are starting our PCT thru hike in March 2018. Together, we will combine our super powers and tackle all the PCT has to offer. With the help of an occasional oatmeal cream pie, of course. Follow along as we aim to offer an honest and transparent look at what hiking the PCT is like!

Hi, Friends! I'm Lexi, a 23-year-old recent college graduate and I will be embarking on my NOBO thru-hike of the A.T. starting in February 2018. I'm a craft beer enthusiast, a crazy dog mom, an avid Mountaineer football fan and a book nerd. Oh and donuts. I love donuts! Follow me on my great adventure!

Hey there! I'm Lindsey - also known by my trail name, Flash Gordon. I thru-hiked the Appalachian Trail in 2013 with no plans to do another long-distance hike. 5 years later...here I am planning my 2018 Pacific Crest Trail thru-hike along with my fiancé and hiking partner, Miles To Go!

I seem to have a Type A mind and a Type B soul. Sobriety was boring at first until it eventually forced me into doing activities. I like jumping out of planes and long handstand walks on the beach. I have literally never backpacked before so if nothing else, you can expect to learn from my mistakes. AT '18 NOBO.

I’m Lizzie, a 26 year old from Kansas City, Missouri and I love to be outside! When I’m not attempting a thru-hike, I like to stay active with a local Irish Dance group called ‘Ceili at the Crossroads.’ I started Irish dance when I was 5 and it continues to bring me joy. Other than dance, I play recreational Ultimate Frisbee with the Kansas City Utimate League. I also love to read, geocache, do yoga, spoil my 12 year old mini poodle, and attempt new recipes! I successfully completed a thru hike of the Appalachian Trail last year as ‘Sunshine’ with my ex-boyfriend. Now that I’m single, I’m trying for a new hike and a new trail name. Hike on!

Have you ever had a skunk try to cuddle with you at three a.m. or had a mountain goat try to eat your backpack while out camping? That's how my backpacking trips always seem to go, and that's why I'm a plant person. I'm Madi, and weird stuff tends to happen to me. My partner and I just finished hiking the AT NoBo and decided, what the heck, why not go do the PCT SoBo? So here I am, an environmental biologist and writer, meeting mountain goats and marmots, and loving every minute of it.

Since my first Pct adventure in 2016, I have shed my perceived exterior a multitude of times. I consider myself an onion, gradually peeling back one layer at a time, on the ultimate quest to discover myself and embrace the authentic being residing in my inner core. The loss of some of those layers makes me cry, some cause me to scream, some to laugh. All are pre-conceived notions placed on me by society, other people projecting onto me, or false identities I have adopted. The process is brutal, but one I am committed to. Who am I? I am a warrior. I am a survivor. I am stubborn as hell. I am a high school dropout. I am sometimes a mess. I am weird. I am gay. I am an advocate for all those hikers that don’t fit between the lines. I am proud of the person I am finally letting myself be. I am Matador. I am a thru-hiker.

I'm a raisin in a bowl of grapes. This July I will start my first thru-hike by hitting the path of Vermont's Long Trail. I'm an overly anxious high school teacher in my mid-thirties from the south suburbs of Chicago. Eagle Scout returning to my roots in to the great outdoors after years of urban adventures. This will be a process of gear selection, physical training, and mental preparation, proving you don't need to quit your job, be in shape, or be completely mentally stable to be a thru-hiker. Also, jokes. There will be some jokes.

Maximilian "Bloodhound" Armstrong has a penchant for adventure. He's backpacked Canada, hitchhiked America, motorbiked Vietnam, and spent a winter in the Alaskan Arctic. In 2018 he thru-hiked the Appalachian Trail. One Wing in the Fire, his 2019 Trail Angel documentary, is free to watch on RipePearProductions.com

Hey there! I'm Meredith and I'm solo NoBo thru-hiking the AT starting mid-March. I was born and raised in Florida, but got hooked on mountains when spending summers in North Carolina and college in Virginia. I'm in DC now and spend weekends away from the hustle and bustle of the city to enjoy some good ol' quality time with nature. If you're interested in "spur of the moment regardless of the plan" stories, follow along on this adventure!

G'day, I’m Mick (aka Hotshot) and an aspiring 2018 PCT thru-hiker. I have a love for all things outdoors particularly the mountains. In 2014-15 I completed a thru-hike of Te Araroa in New Zealand which now has me addicted to long distance hiking. Day to day I'm a forest firefighter in Australia and have had the opportunity work internationally. Be sure to check out my webpage www.mickbeckers.com

Hi, I'm Miranda! I'm a (very) recent college graduate hiking the Long Trail before I start my "real" job. I'm not the most outdoorsy person I know, but I know I have the skills to make it to the end.

I was born and raised in Front Royal, Virginia. I attended Randolph College in Lynchburg, Virginia and received a degree in Environmental Studies. I am now exploring the west, and I've have worked seasonal jobs in Alaska, Utah, and Montana. Currently I am living in Mammoth Lakes, California and exploring the Eastern Sierra. I do lots of skiing in the winter and then backpacking and trail running in the summer. I completed the AT in 2014 and PCT in 2016, this summer my brother and I are taking to the CDT to finish my triple crown. On trail I go by Top Nach.

Hello my Name is Noel, and I am a New Hampshire Native, but have lived in many other parts of the country as well. I am new to both extended hiking and blogging (old guy). I do enjoy being outside, cooking BBQ on my big green egg, and driving my jeep with the top down and doors off any chance I get. I own a successful Home Inspection Business, and I am also a Realtor. I have a wife of over 20 years and we have two children that are both currently serving in the US Air Force. I myself am a US Marine Corps veteran.

Getting ready to hike the AT! Very excited for this adventure?

Hello! My name is Nolan, I'm a traveling ICU RN from the midwest who's taking the summer off to hike the PCT! Exactly three months prior to my start date I met my girlfriend and now thru-hiking partner Michelle. Our goal is to share both the male and female perspectives as well as a look into what it's like to thru-hike as a couple. Follow along as we put our young relationship to the test while we walk from Mexico to Canada, while sharing all the ups and downs along the way!

Recovering infantryman. Appalachian Trail. Life is patches, not upgrades. Metalhead. Lazy mathematician. Political atheist. Nearly normal. Living at the intersection of necessity and free will. Getting run over...

Knows a thing or two about sea cucumbers. Loves cheese and craft beer. Writes about science, hiking, and intersectional feminism. Thru-hiking the AT in 2018 to catch up on all of her favorite podcasts. Would love to have you read about her crazy journey here.

Free spirited, fun loving prankster going for a long walk. I’ve been dreaming about this for longer than I can remember, and I am completely stoked! I’m looking forward to burning up 5,000 calories per day including all the snickers I can eat. I’ve always wanted to sleep under a bridge, and I look forward to being homeless for a few months.

My name is Pete and I'm an aspiring Appalachian Trail thru-hiker. Like many this journey marks a time of transition. I'm from Duluth, Minnesota where the outdoor life is not so much a choice but simply the natural order. After college I spent 28 years as an Air Force pilot, moved many times, and saw a lot of the world under good and not-so-good conditions. Along the way I married, raised two boys to adulthood, and mostly lived the life I had planned, Until the day the plan went terribly wrong. In 2011 cancer struck my wife and in the summer of 2017 she lost her battle after a long and brave fight. Devastated but determined to keep living I've returned to Duluth and am set to start the AT in March. With all due respect to F. Scott Fitzgerald I believe there are second acts in American lives and this hike is the opening of mine. Thank you for visiting and I invite you to follow along with me.

Hey there! My name is Preston Elliott, and I'm a travel, outdoor, and landscape photographer based out of Atlanta, Georgia. I am currently hiking NOBO on the Appalachian Trail and love meeting new people, telling stories from my experiences, and backpacking up and down mountains all day!

Hey There! I'm Rachael, a 28 year old married old lady heading north solo on the AT in 2018. I love audiobooks, campfires, and apparently, very long walks. I grew up on a ranch in the mostly flat state of Illinois and am very excited to meet a mountain for the first time this year.

I thru-hiked the Appalachian Trail in 2018. Now, I'm a podcast host, freelance writer, part-time van lifer, and blogger. Find my podcast, trail journals, and personal blog at www.trailnamehere.com!

I'm a writer, massage therapist, hospitality ninja, and adventure seeking warrior. I've made my home everywhere from Georgia to Maui to Colorado and most recently Alaska, yet I keep landing where my roots sprouted. For the last 3yrs I have been dedicated to personal growth and transformation in order to live a more fulfilling life free from the clutch of past trauma and societal standards I willingly adopted as my own.

Hi, folks! So my name is Rachel. I just graduated from Amherst College with a degree in Geology, and I'm just getting into this solo hiking thing. I whine a lot, and I'm also both extremely sappy and sassy. I've wanted to hike the Appalachian Trail since elementary school, so I'm excited to be finally making that happen in 2018!

Rebecca Burns here, otherwise known as Cowgirl. In 2018 I hiked the Pacific Crest Trail and have been eager to embark on another thru-hike. When I’m not on trail I work as an outdoor educator in central Oregon and spend my time off hiking and skiing in the mountains. Just living life like everyday is Aloha Friday!

I’m a 59-year-old recent retiree attempting a thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail. I live in Naperville, which is a suburb about 25 miles west of Chicago. After spending 35 years as an IT cubicle dweller, I felt the need to do something epic. A thru-hike of the AT seemed to be the ticket. I love the outdoors and physical activities. I’ve done several backpacking trips to locations including Glacier National Park, Yosemite, Grand Canyon, the Ozarks and the Porcupine Mountains. I have an amazingly supportive wife, adult children, and grandsons. You can also follow my journey on Instagram (@robonthetrek).

The birds are calling you! Oh, wait, it's just me, Robin! I don't have a trail name yet, but rest-assured as soon as I do, you will know about it! In college I fell in love with my major, Wildlife Sciences, and now I spend my outdoor time identifying birds, trees, plants, and well... pretty much everything else. Starting on April 20th, I will be starting a PCT NOBO attempt! Join me here as I come to terms with this crazy endeavor, experiment with making my own vegan trail meals, and prepare mentally and physically for the Pacific Crest Trail; not to mention my thoughts and experiences while I'm out there! I hope that reading my blog will show you that if I can do this, you can too! When in doubt, just listen to the little bird on your shoulder (me!). Happy hiking!

Rochelle here! Trail name to be determined.... I'm a nurse working in the operating room. Three years ago, I got divorced and moved to Boise, Idaho. I began discovering myself, making new friends, seeking new adventures, and striving to be a better person. To ensure my 40th birthday is one of epic proportions, I'm taking "over-the-hill" as literally as possible. Enter: Appalachian Trail. My SOBO trek begins in Maine on June 29, 2018, and my boyfriend, Marcus, will be my partner in crime. Let the countdown begin....

I'm a journalist, a backpacker, a master naturalist, a certified interpretive guide, and a lover of trails and travel. On April 26, 2023, I'm setting out on an interpretive section hike of the AT, highlighting the natural and cultural history of different points on the trail. Keep an eye out for updates right here on The Trek! My husband and I also manage www.COVID19WallofMemories.org, a website dedicated to memorializing people who have died of COVID-19 in this country and to educating and informing people about the disease.

My name is Ryne, which is pronounced like the Rhine river... or like an orange peel. On trail they call me ‘Steamboat’. I grew up in Arizona, came of age in Chicago, learned the most about life in Florida and developed my passions in Washington State. In 2017, I hiked the northern half of the Pacific Crest Trail. On The Trek you can read about my experience on the AT in 2018.

Sara Dhooma is an adventurer! She has backpacked through 70+ countries and explored remote areas of the world. Some highlights include climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, wrestling an anaconda in Venezuela, and day-hiking in North Korea. She loves long-distance trekking including Everest Base Camp (2013), Appalachian Trail (2014) and the Annapurna Circuit (2017). Sara is a 'Camino de Santiago' addict and has walked thousands of miles on different routes across France and Spain including the Via Podiensis and Via de la Plata. Follow Sara's video blogs at www.youtube.com/saradhooma

Hey my name is Sarah Legg! I am 24 years old and live in Charlotte, North Carolina. I am currently a 349th year student at UNCC. I'm a biology major and have no idea what I'm doing with that. I have a huge passion for life, my motto is to always be happy no matter what, if you're not happy... change something. I love all things outdoors. I also love avocados, wine, my dog Ziggy... And I guess I have a thing for hiking too... So NOBO 2018 it is.

I have owned and operated Double Crown Records, a Bellingham, WA based surf and instrumental rock n' roll label, since the mid-90's, but have always been a hiking enthusiast. Over the last few years I have worked towards doing just about every hike within 20-30 miles of Mt. Baker, and have also made it a goal to do every trail on Chuckanut and Blanchard mountains near Bellingham, WA. In October 2018 I did a solo thru-hike of the Chinook Trail in Washington and Oregon along the Columbia River.

I am an Appalachian Trail Thru-Hiker class of 2016. My passion is the outdoors and I am doing all I can to spend more time adventure. I am headed out to backpack and travel Europe for 4 months starting July 2018. In 2017, I spent 9 months apprenticing on a farm. I don't exactly know where I will end up, but I know I am Moving forward.

At age 46, I am still that child whose mother rolls her eyes and asks “What crazy idea will she come up with next?” My husband, on the other hand, just smiles, nods his head, holds his breath and waits to see if my cuckoo schemes will play out. Really though, I think that if he was honest, he would say that it is my adventuresome spirit that he likes the most. It has, after all, led us to some fascinating places. Thru-hiking the AT in 2018 is precisely the kind of extraordinary adventure that I am not at all surprised to find myself in pursuit of. (My mother probably isn’t surprised either.) This time, hubby is sitting out of the adventure, but I am bringing my handsome and courageous thirteen year old son Cole. Together we will have five months to tackle whatever the AT throws our way as we aim for Katahdin.

Hello! We're Sian and Dave/Dave and Sian and writing this is made infinitely more difficult with Hendricks the cat sat on my hands! We'll be thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail starting March 2018 and we can't wait. We'll probably write some of our blog posts together and some separately, but either way our hope is to give a first-hand view of all the ups and downs of our adventure. Fingers crossed for ups!

Hey there, I am currently hiking the Pacific Crest Trail. I am from Maine and have no experience with rattle snakes, waterless stretches, or injuries. Luckily I have experienced all these things in my first weeks on trail.

I’m Siobhan. But feel free to call me by my trail name, Drop Bear. I’ve been feeding a severe hiking addiction since my 2015 AT thru hike. Since then I’ve hiked America’s Centennial, Northville Placid, Arizona and Long Trails and Australia’s Bibbulmun Track, Great South West Walk and Great Ocean Walk. In 2017, I got a taste of hiking failure after 700 or so miles on the PCT. With all that cacti and cowboy camping it was the most fun I’ve ever had not achieving something. There’s not enough time left in my life to hike all the trails on my list. But I’m going to try.

Ed has hiked the the 2652+ mile Pacific Crest Trail, the 2160+ mile Appalachian Trail, the 270 mile Long Tail, across Scotland on the 73+ mile Great Glen Cycle Route, all 46 of the Adirondack High Peaks, the 78+ mile Rhode Island North/South Trail, and the Saranac Six. He is also a certified Leave No Trace Trainer. A former MATC Caretaker in the Piazza Rock/Saddleback area, he’s passionate about applying Leave No Trace as an ethical system. His latest journey was a two week loop of Mt. Rainier on the Wonderland Trail. He can be found somewhere on the Continental Divide Trail, a 3000+ mile walk from Mexico to Canada. Reports on his other travels, mostly in New England, are at http://edthesmokebeard.com

My name is Sydnee. I was once voted "Most Likely to Survive the Apocalypse". I am a PCT 2018 hopeful.

Hello there! I'm Taylor. I've been a zookeeper, a dolphin trainer, an English teacher. Sometimes I'm a writer, a poet, an adventurer, a hiker. I like to push limits and face my fears. I love doing things people tell me I can't. I love to take my dog, Dobby, along with me. We have just successfully completed thru-hiking the Long Trail and are trying to remember to shower every day.

Hey there! I’m Taylor, a gal raised in Appalachia who’s searching for my next adventure. You can find me on the trail singing at the top of my lungs, leading a dance party, or trying to find a way to make a backcountry meal gourmet. Follow my adventures to find out how I transform from weekend warrior into a 2018 PCT thru-hiker!

Hello friends, welcome to my blog! I'm hiking a section of the PCT starting at Mount Whitney, ending who knows where. I grew up in Northern California, but just graduated from the University of Denver. The PCT was something I knew I wanted to do before I start my career – especially since my dream is to be an outdoor journalist. I like running in 90 degree weather, can eat a whole loaf of bread in one serving and eat chocolate signifying the end of each meal. Please say hi to me if you see me so this trail doesn't make me even more uncomfortable in social situations. I make no promises about shaving my legs or washing my hair, but I do promise to update this blog as frequently as possible, so keep me accountable fellas.

I'm Taylor (known as 'Canadian Treasure' on the trail) and I thru-hiked the PCT in 2018. Aside from hiking, I'm into riding my bike, skiing, yoga, and learning new things - especially from other people or books. I'm from British Columbia, Canada.

I find my fear of the next day fading as my curiosity grows, secure in the knowledge that I have overcome obstacles in the past and will continue to do so in the future. I am landline free since 1995, desktop PC free since 2006, and now only use a laptop for larger projects. My socially responsible factory production job experienced a marketplace contraction which combined with a cultural shift in the workforce. After two rounds of therapy for anxiety and depression, despite glowing performance reviews at work, I quit the job, dumped possessions and left. I am making a trial of being a full-time nomad, using art and trail therapy to recover and exploring where the cameras take me. 2018 will be my first thru-hike, AT NOBO. On completion, I plan to convert a vehicle to use as a mobile studio and adventure base. The flat land of oranges and hurricanes is currently home. I am sizing up the possibility of a yoyo, just walking back after Katahdin and getting picked up from the Florida Trail. If that happens, I'll figure out a passport and plan to complete the ECT.

We're the Swords and we are starting our northbound thru-hike of the AT on March 19! We're in our late 20’s and since we met in high school we've been doing life by the books-graduating high school, going to college, getting a job, getting married. We've really been very fortunate so far, but the problem is that we love the outdoors and traveling, and our current jobs have really limited our ability to enjoy those things. We’re planning on making big changes in our lives, and we’re using this hike to kick start a new lifestyle. Hopefully, it will lead us to great things!

Hey there, I'm Tiffany -- also known as Archive on the trail! I still don't know how I did it, but I pulled off a southbound thru-hike of the PCT in 2019. These days, you can find me daydreaming about the trail, failing to re-assimilate back into society, and obsessively researching the next adventure.

Hello all, I currently live and work in Virginia Beach, Virginia. I'm married with three children and have recently retired from a career of teaching special education. Film photography is one of my obsessions. Recently, my time has been spent studying graphic design and training. Thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail is something I have thought about for decades. I had all but given up on the idea when the cartilage in my hip joints prematurely wore out due to dysplasia. After replacement surgery in 2015, I was determined to get my life back to as “normal” as possible. Currently, I am on track to begin thru-hiking the beginning of March 2018. “Normal” will have to be redefined. victorperrotti.com