*Please note, this article was written after my 2015 AT thru-hike. It has not been updated since 2017. If you know of changes, please let me know and I’ll make them as I learn of them. Thanks! <3, Clarity For a downloadable copy of this post, click here: Major resupply points on the AT. One … More Appalachian Trail Thru-Hiker Resupply Points
As with all of AppalachianTrailClarity’s articles, please note that this one person’s perspective. I am not an expert on anything in life but a lifelong learner in everything. These are mistakes I have made, still make, and those that I see others making as I work with new hikers ten hours per day, five days per … More Top 10 Mishaps to Avoid When Hiking the Appalachian Trail
Are you questioning whether a solo hike is for you? Maybe you’re afraid of being “alone in the woods”. Or are others trying to persuade you that it’s dangerous to hike the Appalachian Trail alone? Guess what!? Statistics are very much on your side. You’ll be fine! You may have heard the phrase, “hike alone, together”. … More Hiking alone together
Flip-flops aren’t just for feet! Find out how a flip-flop thru-hike offers you the best weather and terrain at the right times during your 6 month journey. You may only get one shot at this, right? Make the most of it! … More Why a Flip-Flop Is More Comfortable
This is part two of an article that lists some points of interest you will encounter on your A.T. thru-hike. Part one takes you from Springer Mountain to Harper’s Ferry, West Virginia, the unofficial halfway point! Click here to access part 1. Part 2 picks up where that left off and takes you all the way to … More Cool Places to See on the Northern A.T.
On the A.T., expect the unexpected. Ascending the very dry Bluff Mountain in Virginia on an unusually warm day in early October meant lugging three heavy liters of water and drinking conservatively as the next easy access to water was a whopping ten miles away. Celebrating having just crossed over my 1,400 mile mark, at … More A Four-Legged Surprise
How do you keep clean living in the dirt? Hygiene is important. That said, your hygiene on trail will change. Forget daily showers, every other day hair washings, or constant access to hand soap and running water. Your new BFF will be wet wipes. I recommend Wet Ones brand as they are tougher than some … More Keeping Dirty Girls Clean
This hundred miles greeted me immediately with a grand entrance into Massachusetts. Day one set a precedent that was, fortunately, continued throughout this hundred mile section. Upon saying farewell to Connecticut, there were miles of stream side mountain walks complete with inviting swimming holes, picturesque waterfalls that beckon hikers to pause their walks and enjoy … More 600 mile journal – I ❤ Massachusetts!
Five hundred miles have now been traveled on these feet of mine. They have suffered numerous stubbed toes on trail-covering tree roots resembling gnarled arthritic hands. Early blisters have evolved into protective callouses. Mosquitoes have apparently organized mass attacks on exhausted hikers, even biting through clothes! You hide out in your tent, kill the four … More 500 mile journal – Why Keep Going? Why Is It Worth It?
Eighty two miles of this hundred continued in the same manner as the last hundred ended…painfully. Tendinitis in both legs augmented the normal trail trials and tribulations. New Jersey gave way to New York which abruptly greets hikers with challenging hand over hand rock scrambles with appropriate names like The Ladder and The Lemon Squeezer, … More 400 mile journal – Trail Angels and Magic
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