Apply to Be a Trek Blogger and/or Vlogger!
Calling all 2021 thru-hikers!
Looking to blog or vlog your 2021 thru-hike? Want some great exposure without the hassle of starting and maintaining a website? DID WE JUST BECOME BEST FRIENDS?!
The Trek is looking for 2021 thru-hikers from the Appalachian Trail, Pacific Crest Trail, Continental Divide Trail, and beyond who are passionate about writing (and/or making videos) and want to share their journey with the world. If you’re hiking one of the “shorter” trails, such as the Long Trail, Colorado Trail, John Muir Trail, Arizona Trail, Superior Hiking Trail, Ice Age Trail, Wonderland Trail, Ozark Trail, Ouachita Trail, Pinhoti Trail, Cumberland Trail, Mountains-to-Sea Trail, Benton MacKaye Trail, Buckeye Trail, Northville Placid Trail, Oregon Desert Trail, Idaho Centennial Trail, Oregon Coast Trail, California Coastal Trail, and beyond- you’re encouraged to apply to join our team as well.
What you get:
- Exposure to the large Trek community (reach is more than a half million across all channels).
- A blogging platform that is easy to use.
- Given extra consideration when featuring photos through our Appalachian Trail, Pacific Crest Trail, and The Trek Instagram accounts.
- Active Bloggers/Vloggers are given the opportunity for Instagram Takeovers.
- Access to a private group of fellow Trek Bloggers on Facebook (current and alum).
- Discount merch
- Vloggers: Access to The Trek’s YouTube account, which has a subscriber base of +28,000.
The cost: FREE
Note: The Trek does not allow contributors to use their platform for the purpose of soliciting money or sponsors. If you’re interested in monetizing your journey, we encourage you to stick with your personal channels.
Class of 2021: Apply to be a Blogger!
Comments 174
I’m bored at work, looking through websites for backcountry snowboarding gear and then my website searches start venturing toward the Pacific Crest Trail. I am curious about the trip distance, time, location and what to expect. To tell you the truth, I’ve been really thinking about doing this for awhile now since switching jobs and not liking my current job. My old boss told me I should have took off time between jobs, traveled and explored. Another consideration is going on the World Race for 11 months in 11 countries. It is a Christian mission trip to help the entire world. A friend did the World Race and posted journals and pictures throughout the trip which inspired me. I would love to be able to share what is going on with me and around me to many others to maybe guide them on their path. I would also love to share what is going on personally and inside me while working through obstacles in my life to help guide others by my insights, stumbles and truths learned along the path of life.
It’s important to have these times of searching, writing and finding yourself. The way I do this is by prayer and being alone in the wilderness. Just recently I took a trip to Oregon to hang with a friend and enjoy the Northwest. I also went to do some personal searching and thinking about my situation with work, where I live and relationships. I ended up hiking and camping alone a half mile from the coast. As I was reading and cooking dinner, the peaceful sound of the waves settled into my tent. The waves were the only thing that were audible the whole night. As I read scripture, a peace overcame me and many things became clear. Things of my past were thought of and wrote down. Obstacles of my present seemed to melt away and worry of my future faded. Solitude is important.
“So He Himself (Jesus) often withdrew into the wilderness and prayed” -Luke 5:16
He who believeth on the Son hath everlasting life. Also read John 3:16,17,18. We all can most likely quote the former but it’s the latter that will put the fear of God in you. God is holy and expects us to
be holy too.
My daughter completed the World Race 11-11 in 2016 through Adventures in Missions. She met another hiker on the race and they got married and now have my grandson. You’re correct in stating that we all need these times for reflection.
Wow! I randomly came across your comment and wholeheartedly agree with what you are saying. My pct hike is planned for this next year, and hopefully my World Race adventure will soon follow!
Not what I expected, and beautiful. Thanks for the quote. What was His experience in the wild? I wonder.
Lord bless you all.im 57,I’ve always spent most of my life trying to do stuff the way outher people tell me the way they think I ought to live. Sitting in a nice clean warm room, I’ve noticed I actually was going insane.. I’ve happily camped&hiked n walked to lots of places. So when I saw the lovely movie called Wild. .it felt like I was called to somehow. That’s how I’m hooked on the PCT…I’m a writer of age 8.Ive write a book n some lyrics for sons,Uts a gift…Now I must figure out how to make money as a writer…I know when I leave the East Coast I’ll be homeless…I guess I’ll be homeless.
I’m 55, always doing for others, taking care of others, still caring for mom, I’ve always wanted to hike the trail, spend time for reflection, no family, just me and other hikers as I would not want to hike alone, but military 9 years damaged my knees, had sx 3 years ago but they are not perfect. I probably have to surrender my dream as wish I could have done that.
Hi Debbie,
I live in S. Lake Tahoe and am a trail angel for the PCT, I’m 59. Could you do shorter section hikes? I hear you about not wanting to hike/sleep solo on trail. What state are you in?
Matt Tobias:
Wonderful to hear your reference to Scripture and Jesus. As soon as you do that, synapses snap with “current” — for better or worse — because such references immediately connect us to the larger world of Our Lord’s making/speaking. His Gospels reveal that world, as they reveal him; and he is so much more huge, even in his small moments (moments with us!), than we can imagine.
As soon as we refer to him or his Word we reference ourselves to him. He said, “He who loses his life shall find it,” and to refer to him immediately ties us to an objective universe! (We creatures are often running from this world on account of our thirst for so-Called freedom and autonomy.)
As dynamic/problematic as we are as people, this reference can mean almost anything. Some will love us, while others will despise. Others will be perplexed, and still others will just wonder! But Jesus always smiles because we have entered his world — and that’s what he came to do!
He captured me at the end of 1967, fifty-two years ago, and I’m still going strong. I have a philosophical mind that seems fascinated by everything. That’s why I reading stuff about the AT — and commenting to a guy named Matt Tobias!
Thanks for being unafraid! God bless you!
Dick
I pray u find bv your answer as u seek the Lord and that He will direct your paths
Mercy
2016 or 17 sign up. Article says only both?!?
Will the blogs be open to the public? I’m not planing to hike the at this coming year but would love to hear the experiences of others. Research ya know and living vicariously til I’m able to go myself
Came here to sign up to be a 2017 AT blogger, but the form isn’t showing up on the page. Just letting ya know 🙂
I ENJOYED MY SECTION HIKE FROM SPRINGER MOUNTION TO UNICO GAP WERE I TURNED BACK AND HIKED BACK TO DALTON
I want to do the trail and hike about for 2 weeks.. lol I am 58
Looking forward to joining the class. Of 2017 the AT in April
When will you be accepting for 2018??
Hi
Love your articles… also do you only want thru hikers for v/blogging? Im senior now and still thinking about it but might- wont- be able to do a thru – cause of knee problem.😊 but still reading about all the seniors that did it 😄!
And Congrats to you ! Its a big deal !!🤗
I to am senior and have been thinking about the AT for2 years now…been gathering my stuff and reading as much of all pros and cons on gear…i am hoping April 2019 will be my year.
Did you ever do your backpacking trip?
Did you ever take your trip on the Appalachian Trail that is my dream I’ve been trying to do it for a couple years I have multiple sclerosis and I want to accomplish it before my illness prevents me from hiking any longer but I can’t find enough money to get the gear you wouldn’t happen to have any extra gear leftover you would like to donate would you do you have any good advice for for me for my hike
You can find some good prices on used gear. Just make sure to get sized in a professional shop before you get started. They will have consignment on better quality used gear in some stores. Ask them the best local place to look, as ideally you’d want to try on a pack prior to purchase.
would thing about this on 2020
😄🤑😷❤
Hello Tom I got your hikeing info from the freindswood library can you please give me a call at 281-235-9496. I would love to talk to you about your hikeing class I can’t make the class today I am tied up I work in freindswood I live in sanleon tx please call me I would like to talk to you sincerly. Robert vaughn
Howdy! This is kind oof offf topic but I need some advice from an established
blog. Is it difficult to set up your own blog? I’m not very techincal but I can figure
things out pretty quick. I’m thinking about making my own but I’m
not sure where to begin. Do you have any ideas or suggestions?
With thanks
I applied to the 2019 class but no email yet. I was accepted last year but did not read the fine print.
I suffer from a form of dementia from Afghanistan that has changed my personality a little bit to the positive side but too friendly. Not my fault but as long as my trail family knows, I will be protected.
Anyway still waiting but strangely no email recieved at all like last year.
Sorry to hear of your medical diagnosis. How did they detect it? Might get a backpacking partnership for adventures.
I’m not hiking but my daughter is and I will be her support back home. Looking for help with getting her boxes to her. And maybe some meal prep ideas
You mention some great trails, but there’s no mention of the North Country Trail (NCT). This is a 4000+ mile trail through New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, and North Dakota. I would strongly encourage you to add the lesser known,but truly awesome, trail to the list. http://www.northcountrytrail.com
Please tell me why you are not replying to my 2019 SOBO AT Hike application? I apppied 4 tones and still no reply. Send me an email please SOBO can reply to you Trek.
I do believe all of the ideas you’ve offered for your post.
They’re very convincing and can certainly work. Still, the posts are
very short for newbies. May you please extend them a bit from
next time? Thank you for the post.
Most definitely will be for ’21, as ’20 will be our shakedown/training year. My husband and I are @2oldformerfatfksonamission
Came here to read about the trek. What I found are fundamental pseudo-christian missionaries! Don’t you think that America had already done too much damage to the world, from starting wars to bringing down democracies to destroying the whole planets ecosystem and blocking efforts to reduce CO2 and climate change?? The whole world is laughing at your president and mourning about what became of the melting pot, frontier nation and leader of the free world. And you dare to go into the world and tell others how to live?? Please stay at home, go walking and not blogging. (Please moderators, if you censor this, then delete all other non-topic comments and religious/political statements as well)
Who cares? Get a life.
I do. The world does. You seem not to understand
This is not the best forum for discussing dubious science or political topics.
We are all outdoorsy types, who love God’s creation, and probably as much as you. However, we might not share your enthusiasm for fanciful unproven political “science” (eg theories of global warming) and/or unproven history (e.g. overturning democracies???).
There is way too much BS in that quasi-scientific community. In our lifetimes, I’ve never see it this bad. Hitler and Stalin we both evil and they too promoted junk science to achieve political victories. So, let’s both take that discussion somewhere else.
Hi there,
I’m flying from New Zealand to America next year to hike the AT with my amazing america friend and I’m wanting to blog and vlog. When is the best time to apply for 2021 season.
Thanks heaps
Sarah
Hello Sarah, wishing you a safe journey to America and a great time on the AT. A friend his wife and baby son moved to New Zealand several months ago. I’ve hiked many of the mountains in the North East and had a brother in law hike the AT with a mission group years ago. The AT has always intrested me, but due to work and the usual life commitments never found the time. This year I’m having a knee replacement and retiring, so for me 2022 will be the year to finally experience the AT for myself. Wishing you my best and may the AT be everything you dreamed it would be.
Rick
I am working on a throwback blog based on trail journals from 2004. Please let me know if there is any where to share my blog posts. I am also willing to write new blogs based on past experiences. With trails being closed, now seemed like a good time to reflect on past hikes. Thank you
Ramblingfootsteps.com
When will I know if I’ve been accepted as a blogger for the 2021 class?
Thanks. Looking forward to my adventure!
Is this only for recently high school graduates?
As nobody here gets any answer for several years,
***I herewith declare this discussion and website for dead. ***
Don’t try to get any response here, nobody from the website is listening
Love love love this site!! I’m an AT fan and have only done limited section walking. I want to be a thru hiker but am not able to due to health reasons. But oh do I want it so badly!!! I will be doing trail magic and the only cost is tell me your experiences on the AT. Oh I hunger for it!!! I’m so glad I found this site. My favorite books on it is Grandma Gatewood’s walk and Hiking Thru by Paul Stutzman. I do love the guide too I have the green one from South to North. It’s an excellent guide and put together perfectly. I also loved AWOL on the AT. Oh I’m going to read more and more on it. Getting married October 16th and I’ll be section walking near German town West Virginia and at Harper’s Ferry. I would do anything to be in the shoes of the Thru-Hikers. The purists. I did pick a hikers name. Schuyler Bird because of Earl Hamner’s show the Waltons that instilled into me my first love of the mountains. I moved to Virginia from Wisconsin when I was 10 in 1978 when I first saw the Blue Ridge Mountains. I love them and I cannot ever live without them. Keep the stories coming for I can’t get enough of them♥️♥️♥️
I was looking at this post and am wondering if the writers (bloggers) are doing it only for “exposure.” Do the bloggers get paid or does thetrek make all the money from ads, etc.? Do you have any actual writers on staff being paid or are you using others writing to make money.