The opportunity to take six months away from real life to attempt an Appalachian Trail thru-hike is a gift of which most people can only dream. Open your mind to gain a piece of wisdom or two from those who have successfully persevered through months on end of the good and the bad and trekked their … More Regret Nothing about your Appalachian Trail Thru-hike
*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
Before embarking on an Appalachian Trail thru-hike, set yourself up for success by engaging in some pre-hike training. Though physical preparation is important, I’m going to start this article with the mental prep you should consider because frankly, it is the most crucial to your success. Hikers who begin their journey in the best physical shape often … More Start Your Thru-Hike Out Right with Pre-Hike Training
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.
Sitting here revisiting my trail notes two months after finishing my A.T. thru-hike, I stumbled across a 2-page journal entry describing all my “oopses” as a brand new hiker written after the first three days of my hike. Somehow, even with the humorously clumsy beginning, I learned how to survive in the woods on my own, laugh at … More I Name My Journey, “Oops”
**Warning: Some of the images below may be disturbing, however, it important to show others how our seemingly benign actions can drastically harm those with whom we share our planet. Take it from the words of “Hummingbird”, a young hiker who internalizes the Leave No Trace lessons on her hikes. Watch her brief video explanation here. Why … More What Harm Will One Piece of Litter Do?
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
The good and the tough experiences work together to build strength, teach character, and provide clarity. The first hundred miles of part two has created a conflict inside of me…stronger is my desire for home, a feeling at war with my fierce resolve to see this journey all the way through. Knowing these disenchanting times … More 1,200 and 1,300 mile journal – Homeward Bound!
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!
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