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Articles by Gear List
Richie Witch, Author at The Trek
Welcome to this blog documenting my solo thru-hike of the Pennine Way! I hope to entertain you with my (mis)adventures on England’s first and
Amanda Stansberry Hull
Hello fellow women-who-solo-hike! If you are anything like me, you may have a few anxieties that tend to crop up when you're on the trail alone (or Jun 17, 2026 : Amanda Stansberry Hull
See You Tomorrow
With six straight days of backpacking complete and 11 straight planned next, it was definitely time for a zero. I clog my arteries with unhealthy foods, I whirl through blog posting, and I am left agog during an exciting Miami Grand Prix. May 10, 2026 : See You Tomorrow
Gritt T, Author at The Trek
Hello, my name is Gritt! Follow along with me as I walk through Washington State along the PCT. I'm a big girl with a big bag and I'm ready to walk very slowly up and down some stunning mountain passes!
Patrick Nimon, Author at The Trek
...life never changes, even when you thru-hike. You may think you’re sticking it to the man and living outside of the cogs of society, but you aren’t. It’s just that instead of ‘the man’ being your work boss, it’s now your wife telling you that you have 8 more miles before you can sit down again. Apr 15, 2026 : Patrick Nimon
Lauren Heller, Author at The Trek
For those of you who don’t know me, hi, I’m Lauren. My life is really great. I’m 25 years old, I’ve established myself in a city I love, Apr 5, 2026 : Lauren Heller
Megan Paluska, Author at The Trek
Hi I'm Megan! I'm a college student busy prepping for a SOBO CDT hike with my girlfriend this summer. I'm from Illinois originally, now I'm in Vermont, I was just in South America for a year, and soon I'll be high up on the Continental Divide. I'm a lover of all things outdoors, including plunging into freezing water, stand up paddle boarding, biking long distances, and of course walking as far as my legs can take me. I can't wait to share my journey on the CDT!
Lauren Mullen, Author at The Trek
Hello! My name is Lauren and I feel incredibly lucky to start the Appalachian Trail in March 2025. I am excited to challenge myself as a writer Mar 10, 2025 : Lauren Mullen
Paige C, Author at The Trek
Before hiking my first thru-hike in 2023, I never would have thought I needed training in hiker terminology. I have received questions from the Mar 9, 2025 : Paige C
Nicole Kniffen, Author at The Trek
Who am I? I'm Nicole! If you're here, you probably know that. If not, hi! I promise my grammar isn't as atrocious as my title... usually. Me and Mar 4, 2025 : Nicole Kniffen
Crayon, Author at The Trek
Day 1 June 2 Living in North Carolina, I feel that our mountains aren’t as intimidating as those in New Hampshire. Beautiful but vastly different. Feb 27, 2025 : Crayon
Fun Size, Author at The Trek
If we met on the trail, among the first things you might notice is that I'm a small human being. Like, pretty short. I look at people my size and Feb 12, 2025 : Fun Size
Travis Faherty, Author at The Trek
Introduction First, I'd like to say thank you to the Pacific Crest Trail Association (PCTA) for streamlining the permit process for this thru Jan 11, 2025 : Travis Faherty
Katie Jackson, Author at The Trek
Can you hike the CDT before the AT or PCT? "If you're planning to hike all three Triple Crown trails (AT, PCT, and CDT), most experienced hikers Nov 13, 2024 : Katie Jackson
Bernadette Rankin
Hey there! I'm Bernadette...or Short Stick, a trail name my husband bestowed upon me due to my comically short trekking poles that surely belong to an Ewok as opposed to a vertically challenged adult human being.
Abby Evans, Author at The Trek
I almost scream every morning as I stand up for the first time. It’s getting to the point in the hike where my body is giving up.
Rachel Vargas, Author at The Trek
Hello! I'm Rachel, a 34 year old pilot, avid outdoor adventurer, traveler, and van-lifer taking a break from "normal life" with my partner in crime and better half Rod.
Liz Seger, Author at The Trek
I'm Liz Seger, aka Swisscake, and I'm hiking the CDT NOBO in 2024. I've been backpacking since 2012, when my teenage son and I drove from Ann Arbor, Michigan to the Alberta-BC border along the Great Divide to hike all the trails in Willmore Wilderness Park. Despite heavy packs, constant rain, infinite blowdowns, washed out trails, and lots of grizzlies, I was forever hooked on Type II fun.
Paul Leckey, Author at The Trek
Hey everyone, I'm Paul Leckey, affectionately known as "Strap On" among fellow backpackers. By day, I'm your average cubicle-dwelling engineer. In my downtime, I’m an avid disc golfer, skier, and trail runner. Back in 2021, I took a leap of faith, leaving behind the confines of the 9-5 to thru-hike the Appalachian Trail. The trail became the lifestyle I crave and, like many others that came before me, that experience left me hungry for more. 3 years later, and it’s time for more.
Scout, Author at The Trek
A dungeon master on a quest of their own, gaining XP and leveling up through the challenges the trail provides. AT NOBO 2024 @difficulterrain on instagram
Moose Juice, Author at The Trek
The 1400mL Titan Kettle from MSR is a large, ultralight backpacking kettle that is ideal for couples looking to shed weight. Lightweight enough to It's no secret that carrying a heavy pack sucks, but it can be tough to lighten your load without breaking the bank.
Diego Acuna, Author at The Trek
Hello everyone! I'm Diego, my friends affectionately call me Dieguito. I'm from Uruguay, that "little country" surrounded by the giants Argentina and Brazil, I take pride in being part of this land and being one more "Celeste" in the world :). At 35, I'm an electrical engineer and, above all, passionate about trekking and mountaineering. It was in late 2019 that the spark to experience the Pacific Crest Trail ignited within me. Today, I'm excited to share my journey with all of you.
Kelly Floro, Author at The Trek
This is a sponsored post brought to you by Danner Boots. The Danner Mountain 600 Evo is out now. Even after thousands of miles of backpacking, The AT Is Crowded. Why Not Start Your Thru-Hike on the Benton Mackaye Trail Instead? It’s March, and the Appalachian Trail is teeming with humanity.
Smiley, Author at The Trek
Greetings! My name is Christopher Smiley. I am a twenty-year, retired veteran of the United States Air Force, MBA graduate from the University of Arizona, and survivor of stage IV head and neck cancer. I currently reside in beautiful Bend, Oregon, although I could be considered a nomad - having lived in a dozen states and multiple countries as both a military brat and service member. I spend my time cooking for family and friends, while daydreaming of my next big outdoor adventure.
Grif, Author at The Trek
I'm a sixty-eight year old semi-retired software architect/engineer and systems analyst. I live with my wife in north-central New Jersey within 1 hour of several trailheads on the Appalachian Trail. I enjoy day-hiking the AT with my wife, rails to trails biking with my college buddies, reading about technology (especially space) and reading/listening to science fiction novels. I'm currently planning an out and back on the AT from the Delaware Water Gap in New Jersey to Springer Mountain Georgia.
Doc, Author at The Trek
Father first, patriot and combat veteran from the Natural State. Join me on journeys in the pursuit of peace, healing and self-reflection. Representing all those who carried our flag into dark places, lost ourselves and were given the chance to live a life worthy of the respect of our fallen. Follow me here and at StoicPaths on Instagram and YouTube. Your Doc, on the trail. See you there. Cheers.
Paw Patrol, Author at The Trek
Kevin, aka Paw Patrol, is an outdoor enthusiast with a rich history of exploring Colorado's Rocky Mountains and Utah's deserts. Currently based near Philadelphia, he's drawn to the wilderness regions of the East, from Delmarva's barrier islands to the expansive forests of Appalachia. In March 2024, he will embark on a 12-week section-hike of the AT, starting from Springer Mountain and aiming to complete the trail in another 12-week LASH in 2025.
Andrea Stilwell, Author at The Trek
Introduce Yourself - Faith. No More "Then you said in a song That life was gettin' real tough But hey I think that you're bluffing, what of it?
Robb Jubin, Author at The Trek
My name is Robb at home and Movin' On on the trail. I am currently an AT Thru hiker attempter NOBO starting February 12, 2024. I live in SW Pennsylvania about an hour south of Pittsburgh and I do most of my outdoor activities in The Laurel Highlands region such as hiking (duh), fly fishing, hunting, golf and photography. I started in March 2023, but I had to bail in Pearisburg, VA. I won't bore you with why here, that's a story over a drink and campfire.
Mindi Bennett, Author at The Trek
I am the author of "Kids Out Wild: A Tale of Love and Suffering on Four of America's National Scenic Trails" and Gear Up with Kids Out Wild: A Gear Guide for Backpacking Families." My family has hiked the PCT (2019), PNT (2020), the CDT (2021) and the AT (2022) together. We hope to inspire more families to do long-distance trails together, create a new level of family unity, deepen our love of the outdoors, meet life-long friends on the trail, and eat less top ramen.
The Evolution of My Pack: Lightweight or Ultralight?
Hey gear heads! Yep, here’s another post about pack weight and gear. If you read my introduction post, then you know I got my first taste of backpacking in 2012 to 2013. This whole concept of “ultralight” was non-existent to me, and I roughly remember my pack tipped the scale at 45+ pounds (barf). Now I know that there’s some die hard “ultraheavy’s” out there doing their thing.
Shari Edelson, Author at The Trek
Professional plant nerd setting out to hike New Zealand's Te Araroa Trail in 2023! I'm hitting the pause button on a career managing public gardens and landscapes so that I can take some time to dwell deeply in our world's natural spaces. Feeling immensely grateful for this opportunity to live outdoors and walk every day, and excited to carry my pack 1800 miles across a whole country.
Maggie Slepian, Author at The Trek
Bad App: How FarOut’s 2023 Glitches Highlight the Drawbacks of Backcountry Tech Reliance When FarOut (formerly Guthook) came onto the scene, it blew other backcountry navigation apps out of the water. Tailored specifically for How to Get To Springer Mountain Originally published 1/10/2017; last updated 1/27/2022 by Penina Satlow. "Where’s Springer Mountain? You mean the Southern Terminus of the AT?
2021 AT Gear List: My Top Five Before the Trail
Mar 4, 2021 : A Wild Jocelot Appalachian Trail I’m totally the person who has spent hours reading through others gear lists. I have probably spent too much precious toilet time stressed out comparing and wondering why someone chose what instead of finishing my business. I foolishly thought all along how simple these lists seemed and I overlooked a small factor. Making a gear list is really annoying.
The Science Behind Trekking Poles
Mar 9, 2020 : Jacob Payne Appalachian Trail I love a good gear list, who doesn’t. I’m a self proclaimed ‘Gear Nerd‘ and that’s fine. Thanks to the Trek’s new Gear List feature, I’ve been able to fuel this obsession and have a sticky beak at everyones gear. I’ve noticed a lot of people are opting for the use of sticks or trekking poles as a ‘luxury’ or ‘miscellaneous’ item.
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