Blog posts come from our amazing group of long-distance and thru-hikers. They’re out on the trails during the 2019 hiking season (or heading out soon, and detailing their planning and preparation), sending back updates and sharing their adventures live as they happen. Follow along and cheer them on!
Pregnancy = Hiking Prep
Amy will be thru-hiking the AT with her daughter Abby. Find out how she thinks pregnancy and preparing for a thru-hike involve a lot of the same feelings.
Franklin, NC to Nantahala Outdoor Center
“We shared freely, helping where needed and the phrase “What’s mine is yours, take what you need.” Is so common you hardly notice after a while.” Aspin is in North Carolina, and settling into the happy cameraderie of AT thru-hikers.
On to Maine
2019 blogger Amy is on her way to Maine! She had a rough start with homesickness and IT pain, but she’s adjusting and finding joy each day.
100 Miles and Leaving Georgia
Aspin hits North Carolina AND 100 miles in this exciting trail update of days 13 through 16.
April 1st
2019 thru-hiker Abby has realized how close her start date is – and how much she still has left to do to prepare (like taking the PSATs!).
Countdown
Tali went back and forth for over a year about whether to leave her job to thru-hike the AT. The heartbreaking loss of her favorite hiking buddy some deep introspection led her to finally take the plunge.
Adventure Before Dementia
Laurie explores the idea that an Appalachian Trail thru-hike is physical for the first third, mental for the second third, and spiritual for the final third. Find out how she’s preparing for all three kinds of challenges.
Unicoi Gap to Dicks Creek Gap
Aspin starts this next installment of her journey with a zero and aching feet. But thanks to good people, her spirits are up and she’s looking forward to crossing into North Carolina soon.
Lance Creek to Unicoi Gap
Aspin completes the first week of her thru-hike! Blood Mountain wasn’t nearly as bad as she was expecting but she’s swapped her shoes and is still dealing with blister issues.
First Four Days on the AT
2019 blogger Aspin has started her AT journey! It’s cold and hard but she’s determined and starting to feel like she’s part of the “club”.
Pre-Trail Jitters: Overthinking Everything
Pat-Rice is within 2 weeks of starting her thru-hike. She’s rethinking everything from start date to gear, but also feeling the love and support from all around her.
Preparation for Life and the Trail, Part 1
This one’s a different perspective – Christy’s fiancé Kyle is thru-hiking the PCT, but that’s not really her thing – so she’ll be sharing her experience of supporting the person she loves on a thru-hike.
Hiking with Abby
Maybe you’ve read 15-year-old Abby’s posts about preparing for her AT thru-hike. Now you get to see the other side of the story – her mom, Amy, is sharing her own hike preparations.
Beginner’s Luck
“I believe in beginner’s luck and I believe it was with me during my first 109.4 miles.” Tara AKA SoulShine has endured wet and cold but is feeling strong and exuberant.
Preparing for Adventure
Kristin and her dad (coming from Germany) got their visas approved for their AT thru-hike. Flights are booked, the first 30 days are planning, nothing will hold them back now!
Becoming a Backpacker: Hiking the Sheltowee Trace
In her quest to become a competent backpacker, Tali discovered a really great program to help her section-hike the 300 mile Sheltowee Trace in Kentucky.
Resupply: To Drop or Not to Drop
If you’ve ever wondered how hikers feed themselves for 6+ months, Laurie does a pretty exhaustive explanation of the options here in preparation for her own AT thru-hike.
Thru-Hiking With a Chronic Illness
In addition to all the normal challenges of a thru-hike, Mary has to consider nutrition and medication for not one but two chronic illnesses. Find out her plan and admire her organizational skills.
Pre-Trail Jitters: 30 Days Until the Adventure of a Lifetime
2019 AT thru-hiker Pat-Rice’s cold-weather shakedown experiments went pretty terribly. With only a few weeks to go, she learned some valuable lessons about testing and re-testing gear before hitting the trail.
One Month In
Britta is one month into her thru-hike and learning to Embrace the Suck – but in her words, “It can’t be too much Suck; it has to be balanced out by Awesomeness.” And it is.
Why I Am Attempting the “Triple Tiara”
Maggie realized as an adult that a 6-month AT thru-hike wasn’t realistic. But she set her sights on something else even more exciting: the Triple Tiara.
How I Decided to Become a Thru-Hiker
Chelsea has plans to thru-hike the PCT in 2020 – but this year, she’s section-hiking the Colorado Trail to help prep.
Flip-Flopping on a Flip-Flop
If you’ve never considered a flip-flop thru-hike of the AT, Laurie might just convince you with this thoughtful post.
6 Women, 5 Days, 1 Amazing Adventure: Part 3
To see all of Jill's posts, click her name above! Part 3, Travelogue Isle Royale continued Day 4: Lake Richie to 3 Mile It was another doozy of a day. The 2+ mile hike from Lake Richie to Moskie Basin was a breeze — and I don't think there's a more gorgeous part of...
My Africa
About the Author, Morgan McGowan: "Hi, I’m Morgan. I am 29 and live just outside of Boston with my husband of 2 and a half years. I try to appreciate the real things in life, family, friends, and the world. I love to travel and experience different places, cook new...
AT Prep: Getting My Psyche in the Game
To see more of Pat-Rice's posts, click her name above!I realized early into preparing for the AT that I needed to get my mental state in check if I wanted to make it to the trail. I also needed to keep that mental state in check if I were going to finish the trail. In...
Why Hike?
About the Author: Debra Ballard (Chilly Bin) was born and raised in Auckland, New Zealand. She fell in love with tramping (hiking) when she was in her late teens, and with thru hiking in her late 20’s. She currently works as an Environmental Engineer and when...
6 Women, 5 Days, 1 Amazing Adventure: Part 2
To see all of Jill's posts, click her name above! Part 2, Travelogue Isle Royale If you read my last post about all the prep work it took to actually get to Isle Royale, now you're ready to read about the six days I actually spent on the island in July of 2015....
Preparing for a Thru-Hike
About the Author: Aspin is a young writer, who grew up in Michigan. She enjoys hiking, camping, photography, and spending time outdoors with her boyfriend and dog. She has dreams of long distance hiking, with plans to complete a thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail in...
Feelings
About the Author: "Hello, my name is Abby Washburn, and later this year in April my mom and I will be starting on the Appalachian Trail. I enjoy reading, being outdoors, swimming, writing, and baking. I am fifteen years old and I will be hiking after my high school...
Becoming a Backpacker: Backpack 101
To see Tali's other posts click her name above! Where do I even start?? In late 2011, I had finished school and started my career. After working for a while, I was beginning to feel like I knew my way around my job responsibilities. My home life, while...
My First Night on the AT (And I Didn’t Die!)
To see all of Bunny's posts, click her name above! March 6, 2013 That first day on the trail was a doozy. Up at the crack of dawn, hustle bustle packing up my pack, quick breakfast with strangers in the Hiker Hostel, making a mental note of what might be my last time...
Passage to the Precipice
About the Author: Laurie Freeman is a naturalist, environmentalist and soon-to-be retiree. She earned a BE in mechanical engineering and a MA in biology (ecology, evolution and behavior). Laurie spent the majority of her career as a professor of biology and...
Finishing My Hike As I Started It – Alone
Click on Katie's name above to see all of her posts! Day 7, January 9 All I remember waking up that morning was that it was so cold! It was the coldest it had been and thankfully was my last night on trail. Never would I sleep at a shelter with such high elevation...
Idea Underground
To see Tali's other posts click her name above! For some, the time between conceiving the idea to hike the AT and actually beginning to do so is a matter of months or even weeks. For me, it was at least a 20-year process!! (see 1: An Idea) I mostly kept quiet about...
Smarter Than a Fifth Grader
Click on Katie's name above to see all of her posts! Day 6, January 8 Low Gap Shelter to Tray Mountain Shelter I woke 2 hours before daylight around 5:45 AM and we had an alarm set for 6. We had decided to do some night hiking due to the possibility of doing another...
An Idea
To see Tali's other posts click her name above! In the year 2000 I set foot on the AT for the first time. We were driving along a small road on a family trip with our four children, aged 3-9, and saw a sign denoting a crossing of the Appalachian Trail. I already knew...
Pre-Planning and the Darn Budgeting
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,...
Fear of Failure
About the Author, Amy Banuelos: "Hi friends! I’m Amy…an outdoorsy, yet prissy, ice cream addicted, fitness obsessed, adventure seeker. This April, my boyfriend John and I will be attempting a NOBO thru hike on the AT. We are documenting everything from start to finish...
Why I *Really* Chose to Hike the AT With My Dad
About the Author, Kristin Forster: "I’m Kristin and live up north in Hamburg, Germany as a flatlander. Working as a pastry chef, hiking with my dad. Loving sweets, well, food in general…whatever it is…mountains and spending time with my family. And all those things I...
Food Prep for the AT
About the Author: “My name is Tara High. I am 55 years old and love being active in the outdoors, cooking and most especially…eating. I am a Texas girl living in a Georgia world and will attempt to thru hike the Appalachian Trail this year (2019). Is this a mid life...
Hiking Is Mine
About the Author: Amy has three amazing sons who have all served their country in the US Air Force. Andrew is currently serving as Tech Sergeant. Alex served as an Air Traffic Controller before being hired by the FAA. Evan is currently attending THE Ohio State...
Why I Hike
About the Author, Dee Fournier: I grew up in Maine in small coastal town called Cape Elizabeth with my 4 other siblings. I am "tied" with being the youngest, as I have a twin brother - I'm 5 minutes older than him. I believe growing up in Maine grounded me....
But I Have High Hips
To see other posts from Katie, click her name above!Day 5: Neels Gap to Low Gap Shelter I was the first to wake up that day, a little before 8 AM. I had finally slept in and got a decent night of sleep. I tiptoed to use the bathroom and proceeded back into my sleeping...
You Want to Do What?!
About the Author, Mary Patterson: "I’m a rock formation loving dog mom, military spouse, college professor and roller derby referee. When I was a child, I hiked the Approach Trail with my family from Amicalola Falls to Springer Mountain and always wondered what it...
Pre-Trail Jitters: Guilt
To see more of Pat-Rice's posts, click her name above!Guilt. Do you feel it, leaving for 6 months to walk in the woods? To leave your family while going on this very unnecessary adventure? I have it, and it is strong. It seems like every week that brings me closer to...
Greetings, Y’all!
About the Author: "My name is Tara High. I am 55 years old and love being active in the outdoors, cooking and most especially…eating. I am a Texas girl living in a Georgia world and will attempt to thru hike the Appalachian Trail this year (2019). Is this a mid life...
Both Feet First: Hiking the AT With Minimal Experience
To see more of Beth's posts, click her name above!Last year my husband and I were at a friend’s wedding out of the country. I was lying on the beach, listening to the waves and the birds, drinking a pina colada and out of nowhere a thought passed through me “you need...
Never Stop Dreaming: Why I Decided to Hike the AT
About the Author: Aspin is a young writer, who grew up in Michigan. She enjoys hiking, camping, photography, and spending time outdoors with her boyfriend and dog. She has dreams of long distance hiking, with plans to complete a thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail in...
Hike Your Own Hike With An Open Mind
To see Katie's other posts click her name above! Day 4, January 6 Gooch Shelter to Neel Gap, 15.4 miles I woke up the next morning a little before 6AM, I planned to start packing up around 6:30 and get an early start to the day. I already knew someone was packing up...
Chasing My Dream
About the Author, Amy Banuelos: "Hi friends! I’m Amy…an outdoorsy, yet prissy, ice cream addicted, fitness obsessed, adventure seeker. This April, my boyfriend John and I will be attempting a NOBO thru hike on the AT. We are documenting everything from start to finish...
Smoke Follows Beauty
Click on Katie's name above to see all of her posts!Day 3, January 5 I woke up around 7AM. It had started to get light out and I had finally gotten a good night of sleep on trail. I began to quietly pack up my stuff. Shortly after, everyone else was awake too. Once I...
What If?
About the Author: "Hello, my name is Abby Washburn, and later this year in April my mom and I will be starting on the Appalachian Trail. I enjoy reading, being outdoors, swimming, writing, and baking. I am fifteen years old and I will be hiking after my high school...
Practice Makes Better
About the Author: Bev Krueger, better known on trail as “Bookworm” grew up in Chicago and regularly visited local forest preserves with her family. Her love for the outdoors started at a very young age and she finds nature to be therapeutic. Bookworm currently...
Big Guy and Boot Flap to the Rescue
About the Author: Hi there! My name is Katelyn Barok, but in the hiking world people call me “Rogue.” I am born and raised in New Jersey. I am a Special Education Teacher by trade with a passion for hiking, which explains the name “teacher gone Rogue.” My current goal...
Why I Am Hiking the Appalachian Trail and How My Journey to Minimalism Inspired Me
To see more of Beth's posts, click her name above!They say that there is a first time for everything and that a journey of 1,000 miles starts with one step. Soon, I will be leaving on a serious hike - fully equipped with all my gear - taking my first steps on a...
Georgia Section Hike Planned in Two Days
Click on Katie's name above to see all of her posts!Tuesday, January 1st, 2019 I happened to check the weather for Amicalola falls Dawsonville, Georgia and it was going to be sunny mid-fifties and mid-thirties at night. I got the itch to fly down there and complete...
Halfway to the Sky: Meet Pat-Rice Z, 2019 AT Thru-Hiker
About the Author: Pat-Rice Z is a Jersey girl who has relocated to the DC area. She is a 2019 AT Thru-Hike hopeful who is considering going NOBO or leapfrogging, however the adventure unfolds. You can find her on Instagram @halfway_to_the_sky.I just recently...
Spring Break Planning
About the Author, Lynne Davidson: An avid traveler and enthusiastic backpacker, Lynne seeks to combine both passions by saving up her free airline miles, and then searching for trails to hike around the world. Becoming a (mostly) solo hiker/backpacker a little...
All Women All Trails Is Looking for 2019 Bloggers!
Are you planning to go for a long hike in 2019 - two weeks or more? Do you like sharing your stories with others? Do you love writing about adventure? All Women All Trails is looking for women who want to blog about their hiking experiences. We want to hear about the...
