New backpackers are often surprised at how expensive backpacking can be. “Isn’t it just going for a walk in the woods?” Well, sort of. To backpack safely and comfortably, there are actually several pieces of gear which make all of the difference and their price points can really start to […]

For many avid hikers, thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail (AT) is a life-long goal. Many spend countless days testing their mettle on trails far and wide before they set off on the journey of a lifetime from Georgia to Maine. But, can a beginner hike the AT, or is it just […]

The term “flip flop” hiking is thrown around a lot in the thru-hiking community, especially on the Appalachian Trail. It can apply to any thru-hike that you do. And no, it does not mean that you hike the trail in your flip-flops, though, I’m sure someone has hiked the AT […]

In the world of long-distance hiking, most people set their sights on the Triple Crown: the Appalachian Trail (AT), the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT), and the Continental Divide Trail (CDT). These stalwarts of the thru-hiking world have long captured the imagination of backpackers around the world, however, many of us […]

The Appalachian Trail twists and turns for 2,190 miles through 14 states from Georgia to Maine. And it has become so popular that 3 million people a year step foot on it, in some form or another. But just how dangerous is hiking the Appalachian Trail, and what are those […]

I can remember with complete clarity the first time I hiked 20 miles in one day. I remember because it was agony. I was not accustomed to walking this distance with weight on my back, and quite simply it ruined me. So, can you hike 20 miles a day? Yes, […]

Many of us enjoy hiking in the great outdoors, sometimes for days at a time. But could you imagine doing it for weeks and even months at a time, perhaps, for example, to walk the length of an entire country – almost three times? That is, if you can believe, […]