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Southbound Thru-Hikers: The Appalachian Trail Hiker Survey
Since I finished my Appalachian Trail (AT) thru-hike in 2014, I’ve been working with The Trek to survey thru-hikers each year. Most of the hikers who take our surveys are...
This Artist’s Illustrations Highlight Challenges Faced by BIPOC Thru-Hikers
The following is a guest post courtesy of Marie Draws. Marie is a PCT thru-hiker and artist who is using her skills to tell the stories of backpackers from diverse...
Help Wanted: Beer Drinking Appalachian Trail Hiker
Yes, you read that right. Despite the recent surge in unemployment, there is a position available that requires hiking the Appalachian Trail and drinking beer; and it includes a salary...
Why I Started the Appalachian Trail Class of 2021 INCLUSIVE Group
Candi, 28, started The Appalachian Trail Class of 2021 INCLUSIVE Facebook group. Candi values getting lost in nature and helping others in need. For many thru-hiking hopefuls, social media
My Tramily Gave Me the Confidence to Say “I’m Gay”
Sean "Orange Blaze" Speckin grew up in Southern Maine, where he was inspired by his elementary school teacher to explore the state's beautiful wilderness. After high school, he hiked Katahdin...
I Am Not Just Another Hiker
Shilletha Curtis is a 28-year-old Black, queer New Jersey native, and a Rutgers graduate with a degree in social work. Shilletha plans on hiking the Appalachian Trail as the first...
AT History Lesson: The Invasion of Hot Springs
If you have hiked northbound on the Appalachian Trail, you will remember the views from Max Patch, the quickening anticipation of a town stay as you stopped at Deer Park...
How Not to Mistake Lyme for Coronavirus
It’s tick season again. Flu-like symptoms, fever, malaise, fatigue. Sounds familiar, right? These are often the base symptoms for Lyme disease, a tick-borne illness that effects outdoor enthusiasts
Hiking on the AT on the Anniversary of a Trail Murder
“This trip marks, almost to the day, the anniversary of Sanchez’s death.” My friend, trail name Bubbles (NOBO 2019), breaks the silence between us. We have completed an 18-mile day...
Challenging the Narrative and Amplifying Voices: Resources for Education and Inclusivity in the Outdoor Industry
One of the universal characteristics of people who love the outdoors is that we enthusiastically lean into discomfort. The outdoors community is mostly white, which has allowed us the privilege