Advice
ATC Releases Updated Trail Use Guidance, Asks Thru-Hikers To Continue Postponing Hikes
May 20, 2020; 2:30 p.m. MST: The Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC) has released updated guidelines for Appalachian Trail users, including day hikers, overnight hikers, and prospective 2020
Should You Exercise Outside During the COVID-19 Epidemic?
As of April 5, 42 US states and the District of Columbia had issued stay-at-home orders, affecting about 90 percent of the population, some 300 million people, in an effort...
Stay Prepped for Your Hike During COVID-19
You may be sitting at home right now wondering what to do with yourself now that you've had to cancel or postpone your lifelong dream of thru-hiking a long trail....
A List of Appalachian Trail Shuttles Available to Help Hikers Get off the Trail
In light of the continuing COVID-19 crisis, we've compiled a list of shuttle drivers and services that are still available to assist Appalachian Trail hikers as they leave the trail....
Hiking in the Age of Coronavirus: What to Consider
(Updated 2:41 p.m. ET, March 19) On March 11, Barney and Sandy Mann—aka Scout and Frodo—sent an email notifying hikers who had signed up for their hostel and shuttling service...
How to Dog-Proof Your Backpacking Sleep System
While it seems like dogs and backpacking go together like milkshakes and fries on a town day, it can be frustrating sharing such a small home-away-from-home. I’ve backpacked with a...
Health Insurance for Thru-Hikers: A Look at the Options
By the time Cari Pattison reached New Jersey on her Appalachian Trail hike, she was attuned to the rhythms of the trail. “The usual sore feet at night and tired...
How to Optimize Your Research for a Thru-Hike
When I decided I was going to thru-hike the Appalachian Trail in 2018, I threw myself headfirst into researching every facet. I wanted to know everything I could to give...
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...