Advice
What You Need to Know About the Appalachian Trail Kickoff
The Appalachian Trail Kickoff, or ATKO, is an annual event held in early March. This event has been going on for 18 years, and continues to get better and better...
How to Pack a Backpack for Thru-Hiking
So you’ve got all this gear ready to go… but now what? While out backpacking, everything that you need is carried on your back, in this pack. You’ll pack and...
How to Get a Permit to Hike the John Muir Trail
The John Muir Trail (JMT) is a classic trail that covers 211 miles of scenic beauty in the Sierra Nevada mountain range in California. The trail starts at Happy Isles...
Seven Exercises to Build Strength and Stability for Hiking
We often think about training our larger muscles but neglect to develop good posture and alignment. This series of exercises was developed to help build strength and stability so that...
Wisdom from 2019 Pacific Crest Trail Thru-Hikers: Part II
These thru-hikers will be discussing hiking as a couple, trusting your gut, and meeting Lil Sabastian on-trail!
Wisdom from 2019 Appalachian Trail Thru-Hikers: Part I
Two couples and one solo hiker chime in with their thoughts on resourcefulness, gear, and what you need to finish a thru-hike. Everyone's answer is a little different, but that's...
The Case for Bear Canisters on the Appalachian Trail
Incidents of bears obtaining food from AT campsites are increasing. Several campsites in the mid-Atlantic have been closed, and a bear that frequently visited an AT campsite was euthanized in ...
Southbounding the PCT Part III: Environmental Truths
Environmental factors can have a significant impact on how much you'll enjoy a hike. That's as true of day hikes as it is for thru-hikes. Sometimes it will feel like...
Going with the Flow: How to Tackle River Crossings Safely
Fast flowing rivers are among the most dangerous hazards that hikers regularly negotiate in the backcountry. This post outlines the tactics and techniques to more safely cross swollen creeks and...
Southbounding the PCT Part II: Setting Off
For Part Two, I asked fellow SOBOs their start and finish dates, what they liked about the schedule, and what about it was difficult. To close it out, we touch...