Our articles come from the All Women All Trails Writers. These are women who have amazing experiences – day-hikes, trip guiding, short trips, section hikes – and will be sharing their stories and wisdom all year round. Check out our amazing writers to get inspired and learn something new!
A Peek at the American Perimeter Trail
Leilah Grace gives us a peek at the in-progress hike of a new epic loop: the American Perimeter Trail. Get ready to add this one to your bucket list!
Hiking With Soulmom
“I didn’t want the trail to be remembered only as a place of loss…and so I left the trail.” SoulMom shares the grief she experienced in her first attempt at the AT, and why she’s going back.
Get Yourself Ready For a Long Hike
Excellent advice here from Christy on how to get ready for a long hike in 7 essential steps.
Shakedown Breakdown
Lydia takes on the 77-mile Foothills Trail as a shakedown for her AT thru-hike – but winter weather and endless rain almost end her trip early.
Perspective
“Not every hike has to be a big one. Not every trek needs massive preparation;
sometimes you can be out the door for an overnight in just 2 hours. These are
things that I have to remind myself when I’m planning my next hike or trek.”
Walking Alone at Night
Prune plans a night hiking adventure in New Zealand that will have her viewing sunrise on New Year’s Day – and gets an unexpected visitor on the way.
First AT Hike
“You would think by me tapping out after two days would mean backpacking is not for me. Not so! Despite all that went sideways on my initial hike, I’ve gone out for more and plan on doing even more.”
Don’t Scrunch Your Section Hike
As a proud North Carolina-based Appalachian Trail section hiker, Candace has seen and enjoyed all the different seasons and experiences the AT has to offer.
It Hurts!
“What hurts you may ask? All of it. It all hurts.” Brrr! Kellie gets out for a magical wintertime waterfall hike.
Trail Gear Essentials 101
Jenn has a wide range of backpacking experiences – here’s how she plans and prepares her gear for big trips, along with her essential items.
Dear Family and Friends
“I’m thankful that I’m going into this life changing event not needing anything from it. The AT is not a plan to fix or find myself. It’s an opportunity, an adventure, that I can take wisdom from with discretion and mindfulness.”
New Year’s Eve
Leilah Grace spends a peaceful, solo New Years Eve cozy in her tent on the Appalachian Trail – the perfect way to start a new year.
Rae Lakes Loop
Vicky shares this trail report back for us from the epic Rae Lakes Loop in California’s Sierra Nevada. Check out the exciting surprise she gets right in the middle!
The Twisted Reason I Wanted to Tackle a Thru-Hike
Dyana gets very real about some of the challenges involved with her Pacific Northwest Trail thru-hike, and the moment she realized why she was hiking.
Done! Hiking the AT in Pennsylvania
Hikers generally have a lot of opinions about the Appalachian Trail through Pennsylvania. Here Cari shares her love of the state, bonding with family, and why she keeps going back.
25 Hours, 19 Miles, 17 Degrees
Leilah Grace experiments with winter backpacking with a cold but beautiful overnight near the Delaware Water Gap on the Appalachian Trail in New Jersey.
What Drives You To Hike?
After going through divorce, PCOS, and weight gain, Jenn has decided to redefine herself in the outdoors – and is planning a big trip to the Grand Canyon with a friend to celebrate.
The Lighthouse at the End of the World
Suze shares a story of a Patagonian day hike that could have gone very, very wrong. She learned from her mistakes, though – and her retelling is hilarious.
The Need to Run
Momma in the Mountains explores the “why” of hiking and trail running – and what it means to her as part of her identity.
Let’s Talk About Mental Health
Catherine is 3 short months from hitting the Appalachian Trail! She bravely shares her mental health history and why she’s leaving her beloved Sierra Nevada for the mountains of Georgia.
First Trail Magic Experience
Prune is planning for her 2020 AT thru-hike. In the meantime, she shares a story from a beach hike in New Zealand when she got to experience her first taste of Trail Magic.
Surprising Starts and Finishes
Socks is working on a 7-year plan to complete the Appalachian Trail. Sometimes planning and accessing the trail is the hard part!
My Journey to Endurance Adventurer
Steph shares some of her favorite hiking and long-distance walking experiences from her home country England. The more trails she hikes, the more trails she discovers!
From Novice to Experienced Hiker in 2 Easy Trips
Leilah Grace challenges herself with a 4-day, 50-mile section from Connecticut to Massachusetts on the AT. Here she shares what she learned and what went wrong, and about the angels she met along the way.
Bikepacking from Georgia to Alabama on the Silver Comet Trail
Julia tackled a 34-mile, two day bikepacking trip from Georgia to Alabama with her 9 year old son – and he crushed it!
A Life of Doing Nothing
Dami shares some of the thoughts and experiences she has while completing a 10-day trek in the Himalayas in India.
Solo
Do you remember your first solo backpacking trip? Leilah Grace takes us back to hers – a 30 mile, one-night experience on the AT in Pennsylvania – with no sleeping bag!
Lessons From the Trail
New All Women All Trails writer Kieara shares why she started hiking, how she stays motivated, and some learnings from her time on trails.
From Solo Hiking to Support Magic
Dami wraps up a big chunk of the California PCT desert section with a few beautiful examples of trail magic and angels.
From Hiker to Backpacker
“My time on the trail is a respite, away from the hustle and bustle of being a single mom to 4 amazing kids. I have what I need and no other worries or concerns other than my next water source and sleeping arrangements.”
After the Really Big Hike
Post-trail depression is REAL. Madeleine gets brutally honest about how it feels to go from being The Woman Who Did the Really Big Hike to the The Woman Filled With Debilitating Sadness.
Get Up and Hike
“I was hooked. I was also healing. Hiking is healing. Many of you reading know this cleansing that takes place amongst the trees.” New writer Kellie shares how she went from unable to walk to the mailbox to planning an AT section.
Crowdsourced: What’s the Best Trail Magic You’ve Ever Experienced?
Trail magic is a wonderful, beautiful thing. Enjoy these stories of the best trail magic some of our members have experienced! Hint: it’s a lot of food.
My Trail-Building Experience
“Next time you’re on a public trail, look down. Really. Look. Down. Look at that trail literally right in front of you. How did it get there?” Holly shares her experience helping to build a piece of the Ice Age Trail.
Hiking Haikus, Volume 2
Whether you’re a poetry buff or just want to enjoy some inspiring hiking haikus, we think you’ll enjoy this compilation from a variety of writers.
A Goodbye Letter to the Pacific Northwest Trail
Dyana recently completed a thru-hike of the 1200 mile Pacific Northwest Trail. This is her heartfelt goodbye from her last night before her finish.
A 40th Birthday on Blood Mountain
Julia picked 4 adventures to do in the year leading up to her 40th birthday. The final one was a solo night spent watching the sunset on Blood Mountain. Join us in wishing Julia a happy birthday!
Toccoa River Camping
Julia took her 10-year-old daughter on a one-night camping trip in north Georgia. Despite a flat tire, they got in some quality mother-daughter forest bonding time.
Sara’s Epic Footwear Fail
This is a short and sweet cautionary tale about testing your footwear before you commit to a big hike!
Type 2 Fun at Mt. Ranier
Laura has an amazing job leading YMCA youth trips into the wilderness. Her very first trip tested everything she learned in training – and taught her the meaning of “Type 2 fun”.
Training for the Dream Job
Laura landed a dream job for the summer leading youth backpacking trips for the YMCA. In this piece she shares the training she had to go through. As she reminds herself, “You will be challenged. You will be humbled. This will be worthwhile. You will make a difference in a young person’s life.”
What Keeps Leading Me Back to the Trail
Leah shares a beautifully-written and thoughtful piece about why she keeps coming back to the AT, even after some hard sections. When people ask you Why You Hike, what’s your answer?
30 Days and 30 Nights: Traveling and Transformation in the Desert
“I defy my aging by going into the world and let it teach me I can climb a mountain, that I can live without the comforts of home and still be happy, that I’m not defined by relationships of family and close friends, but that I will meet others who care when I step out into that world.” Dami shares her experience from a 30 day PCT desert section hike.
The Western States 100 Mile Endurance Run
Momma in the Mountains took a break from backpacking trip planning to support her husband in the Western States 100 Mile Endurance Race. Read about her experience and prepare to be inspired!
The Other Georgia
Lynne always provides fabulous trip reports and gorgeous photos. This piece, about her trip to Georgia (the one in Europe) is no exception. Ready to be inspired? Check it out!
52 Hikes in 52 Weeks: The Takeaway
Dami successfully completed 52 hikes in 52 weeks. Here she shares some reflection on what she learned from the experience (and a video to go with it!)
The Journey to the CDT
Yvette shares how she went from unable to hike a quarter mile, to hiking a marathon, to planning a CDT section hike with her son. Come be inspired by her optimism and determination!
Hiking With My Dog, J
Melanie is prepping for a thru-hike of the Tahoe Rim Trail – with her 14-pound rescue, JoJo. Find out what extra steps she’s taking to slow down, prepare for this hike, and keep J safe.
Will You Finish Your Long-Distance Hike?
New guest writer Dami is not only an experienced hiker herself, but she also lives in a town along the PCT and has seen plenty of thru-hikers come through. Read her thoughtful insights about long-distance hiking in this new article.
Facing Fears… Again
Momma in the Mountains is feeling some fear as she’s prepping for her summer trip with her infant son – weather, mountain lions, she’s prepping for it all!
An AT Section Hike in Virginia: Part 2
“My trip was successful. 77 miles done! Glasgow, Virginia to Waynesboro, Virginia. I had met many wonderful thru hikers, saw beautiful vistas, had now climbed higher elevations than ever before, and completed what I set out to do.” 62-year-old Ann wraps up Part 2 of her VA section hike.
Famous People on the Trail and A Strange Encounter…
Katie has big section hiking plans this summer, including this 3-day trip to finish New York state. It just didn’t quite go exactly as she was expecting.
An AT Section Hike in Virginia: Part 1
Ann AKA Greeter Two, a self-described “crazy older section hiker”, had plans to be on the AT every month this year. Last month she tackled an 80 mile section in Virginia – read part 1 here!
Planning Through Set-Backs
Momma in the Mountains is planning a 90-mile, 6-day trip with her toddler son and their dog. Except she got pneumonia, went into the ICU, and needs physical therapy. What is she doing about her planned trip?
Trail Friends Are Just Different
“In the trail community, it’s loosely agreed upon that a day on trail with someone is like spending six months together in non-trail life.” This one from Maggie goes out to all the amazing friends you’ve ever met while backpacking.
Crowdsourced: What Was Your AT Start Date and Why?
Ever wondered why people start their Appalachian Trail thru-hike when they do? We asked in our Facebook group: What was your AT start date and why? Here’s what our members said.
Let’s Talk About Sex: Intimate Advice for Camping Couples
This piece from guest writer Tara is both hilarious (how many dirty hiking euphemisms can she use?) but also very good information for anyone looking to get intimate on the trail.
Five Life Lessons Learned on the Trail
Tami shares five excellent life lessons learned in the Grand Canyon that apply to the trail but also to day-to-day challenges. Take a look and see how many resonate with you.
Why Backpack?
“Go for fun or go for self-reflection, or set out with one intention and return having achieved a different goal altogether. It’s your trip, your hobby, your story.” Sable explores that classic question: Why do you backpack?
A Long Walk
“Priortize yourself. Your “stuff” can wait. Put yourself and what truly makes you smile first.” Angela, facing divorce, menopause, and an uncertain future, takes off to hike the Tour du Mont Blanc.
Tre Cime di Lavaredo
Summer has the pleasure of living in Northern Italy. Here she shares one of favorite hikes in the Dolomites!
Planning My CDT Section Hike
“If you plan to hike a section of the Continental Divide Trail, the first thing you’ll notice is that there isn’t a lot of information out there.” Katrina is helping add some by writing about planning for her CDT section hike.
Panamint City Hike, Death Valley
Guest writer Vicky shares her experience doing a winter overnight to an abandoned mining town in Death Valley National Park.
Arizona Trail: A Trail of Surprises
Lynne, a teacher from Oregon, spent her spring break on the Arizona Trail – and encountered more variety and scenery (and trail magic!) than she was expecting!
A Fair Weather Friend: Exploring Scotland’s Isle of Skye
“The people are kind, the whisky is strong, and the hills beg to be walked.” Leah shares trail options and gorgeous photos from her visit to the Isle of Skye in Scotland.
Planning and Prepping for a Colorado Trail Section Hike
Chelsea is deep into planning her Colorado Trail section hike for the summer and has the Excel sheet to prove it. She has a lot on her mind – snow, gear, physical prep, and more.
Let’s Talk About Our Misadventures
This one from Melanie is a fantastic story and educational reflection about what happens when a backpacking trip goes wrong. Hint: she ends up in a raft on the Colorado River…
Hiking Haikus, Volume 1
Whether you’re a poetry buff or just want to enjoy some inspiring haikus, we think you’ll enjoy this compilation from a variety of writers.
How to Spot an Ultra Runner
MommaintheMountains has a fun and lighthearted guide here on how to spot the elusive ultra runner out on the trails.
A Pinnacles Misadventure
“Not lost, just a little off-route” becomes Liz’s mantra as she tackles an off-trail adventure in and around Pinnacles National Park.
How Hiking Transformed my Body Image Issues
“I’m turning 40 this year and I’m having more fun than I did in my 20’s. I’m happier, more fulfilled. I have wrinkles, I’m not teeny tiny anymore, and I have pains I didn’t have before, but I gratefully accept those things because they came from a life well lived.”
Where They Found Her
Susan shares a cautionary but fascinating story-within-a-story about the brutal conditions that can arise in New Hampshire’s White Mountains in the winter.
Cameron Falls
Nathalie recently moved to Canada’s Northwest Territories – and her first priority was to find some good hikes.
Preparation for Life and the Trail Part 2
About the Author, Christy Everett: "My name is Christy and to be frank, I'm new to all of this. I don't camp, I love my running water, and substantial shelter. However, I am getting ready to marry the most amazing man...who does not feel the same need for running...
March Madness
Susan shares a hilarious story of winter hiking in the White Mountains, complete with Great British Baking Show, Justin Timberlake, and a killer sports bra.
Winter Wonderland
Katie joined a guided snowshoe hike in the Catskills for the first time – I have a feeling it’s not going to be her lasts snowshoe adventure.
Humble Beginnings
I love a good origin story. Sarah shares how she went from being dragged to national parks as a kid, to riding 150 miles on horseback across the Mojave, to her first soggy backpacking trip.
Solo Hiking in Greenland: The Arctic Circle Trail
Aurélie shares background info and tips to hike the 103-mile Arctic Circle Trail in Greenland. How do you feel about seeing the Northern Lights on a backpacking trip?
Hiking the Eifelsteig
There are a lot of differences between hiking in Europe and hiking in the US. Melanie, a German who lives in America, shares her experience hiking the 194-mile Eifelsteig.
Why I Hike
Looking for introspection today? Sunshine explores the question: why do YOU hike?
My Achin’ Back: Gear for Hikers with Scoliosis
Leah has some excellent advice and gear suggestions here for any women hiking with scoliosis.
Patagonia Prep, and Prep, and Prep!
Patagonia is quickly rising to the top of everyone’s international hiking destination bucket lists. Find out what concerns and logistics Theresa is dealing with before her trip.
Don’t Forget the Map
Tara, her boyfriend, and their dog set out for what was supposed to be a day hike. 24 hours and 20 miles later, she had some wisdom to share!
The Call of Nature
In the depths of seasonal depression, Laura applied for a long-shot dream job leading teens in the outdoors. Spoiler alert: she got the job, and now has a whole new set of challenges.
Let Me Be Able to Hike Until My Last Day
Melanie hikes because she “knows no other way to live.” Find out how growing up in Germany, walking her dog in Texas, and visiting relatives in Canada all feed into her love of hiking.
Meal Prepping on the Road
Meghan has put in 25,000 miles of roadtripping and 500 miles of hiking in the last 18 months. Here she shares her superpower: meal prepping.
Gear Swaps
If you’re always wondering how you can optimize gear, this piece from Katie is a good place to start. Find out where she’s put her effort and money to get her gear lighter and more comfortable.
Believe in Me
At age 55, Deb took on her first-ever thru-hike, of the 30 mile Skyline to the Sea trail, in honor of her late father. Learn about the “Hike for Harvey” and what Deb has planned for this year.
She Dreams of Wild Places Seldom Seen
Elizabeth shares an in-depth description of a gorgeous California waterfall hike, while also pondering what “wilderness” means to her.
How to Hike Your Own Hike
“I would like to empower anyone reading this to not allow yourself to feel bullied and not to bully others for their choices.” Katrina does a great job of explaining what “Hike Your Own Hike” means – and what it doesn’t.
You Never Forget Your First Time
“My sore muscles were like a trophy to me. “I just did that!” I told myself. “I am such a badass.” For anyone who wants to fondly reminisce about their first miserable backpacking trip, this one’s for you.
2019, the Year of Adventure
Not all adventure has to be grand and epic. For her “Year of Adventure”, Sarah just wants to get on trails with her 3 kids. Easier said than done.
Score! Budget-Saving Deals
Momma in the Mountains shares some of her tips for saving money on gear purchases. Have anything to add?
Grand Canyon Explorations
Author: Amy Neil I’d like to introduce myself. I am the fortunate hiker that lives inside Grand Canyon National Park. After growing up in Australia I moved to the Grand Canyon and have been living and working here for the past 17 years. It’s a wonderful small...
Why I Climb
About the Author: Patty Alcivar is a professional boxer, runner and overall athlete that fell in love with the mountains. Patricia works as a Spanish interpreter, EMT & running coach. She loves hiking and her goal is to climb the "7 Summits" of the world....
Hiking With a Pack Animal
About the Author: Julia Everheart is a native of Hatteras Island, North Carolina now living near the mountains of north Georgia. She is a hiker and an equestrian, and she combines her two passions by hiking with a donkey named Rusty. She loves encouraging people...
Going the Distance – With an Infant?
About the Author, Momma in the Mountains: Lifestyle Coach, Certified Personal Trainer, Certified Sports Nutritionist. Trail name: Trailblazer "I’m a mountain girl through and through, raised in the Colorado Rockies. I hike, climb, run, horseback ride, swim, bike,...
6 Women, 5 Days, 1 Amazing Adventure: Part 1
To see all of Jill's post, click her name above! Besides being Michigan's only national park (not to be confused with national lakeshores or national forests — there's a difference), Isle Royale is an island bastion of wilderness protected by the deep, cold waters of...
Hi, My Name is Jen, and I’m a Quitter
About the Author, Jen Beck Seymour: Defying the mantra "work more, spend more", Jen stepped off the corporate treadmill in 2013 and moved with her husband to Costa Rica, where she lived for 4 years and came to appreciate a more minimalistic and meaningful life. She...
You’re Not “Just” a Section Hiker
About the Author, Leah LaRocco: "Hi there, I'm a Long Islander who lives in Franklin, Tennessee. My first love was the ocean, but growing up camping and hiking around Vermont also contributed to a deep appreciation for the mountains. Public lands are some of my...
