Carl “Professor” Stanfield on the Other Side of Thru-Hiking: A Summer Dream Job at an AT Hostel

Carl “Professor” Stanfield on the Other Side of Thru-Hiking: A Summer Dream Job at an AT Hostel

Hiker hostels are one of the great treasures of America's long trails. The colorful characters and buildings that make up hostel culture can seem intimidating at first, but it usually...

Mar 10, 2025 : Carl Stanfield
Day One – Leavetaking

Day One – Leavetaking

It Begins with Tolkien Before I start writing about my adventure I want to share a quote from the Hobbit that inspires me as I move forward. It is a...

Mar 9, 2025 : Dave Santi
Appalachian Trail day 1-6

Appalachian Trail day 1-6

Day 1 Amicalola Falls to Stover Creek Shelter (11.1) What an incredible day. It felt surreal to hike the approach trail and stand on top of Springer Mountain after dreaming...

Mar 9, 2025 : Jack Rioux
Do I Need a Justification?

Do I Need a Justification?

Trying to Make Some Sense With a little more than two months before I stand at the southern terminus, I've begun to think about my intentions for this thru-hike. I'll...

Mar 9, 2025 : Ethan Holz
The Thru-Hiker’s Lexicon

The Thru-Hiker’s Lexicon

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 outdoor community such as, “What does...

Mar 9, 2025 : Paige C
Step by Step: The Thru-Hike CDT Edition

Step by Step: The Thru-Hike CDT Edition

My Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) thru-hiker name is Brainstorm. In 2023, I completed the PCT after graduating from school—something I had dreamed about since 2015. I remember the earlier years...

Mar 9, 2025 : Paige C
2 VERY different shelter nights on the AT

2 VERY different shelter nights on the AT

The rundown of two very different nights spent in shelters on the Appalachian Trail. One peaceful rainy evening and one snowy cold night.

Mar 9, 2025 : Andrew Komorowski
What the VF?

What the VF?

As a novice to this space, it’s exciting to learn new things, and it starts with all the hiking lingo abbreviations many of the bloggers use on The Trek: SOBO,...

Mar 9, 2025 : Sara Jane
Hiking to Boots off Hostel on the Appalachian Trail

Hiking to Boots off Hostel on the Appalachian Trail

After hiking late into the night last night, I definitely wasn’t ready for an early morning. My alarms went off between 4:30am-5am but I just kept snoozing. Then I heard...

Mar 9, 2025 : Peg Leg
Frozen Over on the Appalachian Trail

Frozen Over on the Appalachian Trail

This morning it was freezing cold waking up. My toaks cup full of water was frozen solid and so were my other water bottles. Last night I slept fine and...

Mar 9, 2025 : Peg Leg