Thru-Hiking Culture

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
Top Stoves, Filters, Rain Gear, and More on the Appalachian Trail: 2024 Thru-Hiker Survey

Top Stoves, Filters, Rain Gear, and More on the Appalachian Trail: 2024 Thru-Hiker Survey

The 2024 AT survey is coming to a close. We'll be covering the water filters, stoves, rain gear, and so much more in this final post. This post is all...

Mar 6, 2025 : Kate Richard
Top Backpacks on the Appalachian Trail: 2024 Thru-Hiker Survey

Top Backpacks on the Appalachian Trail: 2024 Thru-Hiker Survey

In this next installment of the 2024 Appalachian Trail survey, we're covering everything about backpacks! We take a look at the frame type and capacity hikers chose as well as...

Feb 17, 2025 : Kate Richard
Reflections of the PCT as I gear up for the AT

Reflections of the PCT as I gear up for the AT

I remember my first hike as a young nipper. I would have been about 10. Dad took my sister, friend, and I on a two-night three-day hike called the Rakiura...

Feb 15, 2025 : Katie Buxton
The Top Sleeping Bags, Quilts, and Pads on the Appalachian Trail: 2024 Thru-Hiker Survey

The Top Sleeping Bags, Quilts, and Pads on the Appalachian Trail: 2024 Thru-Hiker Survey

We're back again with another 2024 Appalachian Trail survey post, and this time we're covering sleeping systems. We’ll discuss quilts vs sleeping bags, insulation type, and temperature. We take a

Feb 3, 2025 : Kate Richard
Reflections From My Appalachian Trail Thru-Hike

Reflections From My Appalachian Trail Thru-Hike

Today, January 17, marks six months since I completed my 2024 Appalachian Trail thru hike. On July 17, 2024, with passersby-turned-friends by my side, I clambered up the rocky path...

Jan 17, 2025 : Will Skipworth
The Top Footwear on the Appalachian Trail: 2024 Thru-Hiker Survey

The Top Footwear on the Appalachian Trail: 2024 Thru-Hiker Survey

The third installment of the AT 2024 Survey is here, and this time we’re covering all things footwear. What you wear on your feet is one of the most personal...

Jan 7, 2025 : Kate Richard
Is It Getting More Expensive To Thru-Hike the Appalachian Trail?

Is It Getting More Expensive To Thru-Hike the Appalachian Trail?

Is it getting more expensive to thru-hike the Appalachian Trail? It sure feels that way. You might think spending six months eating ramen in the forest would be a real...

Jan 2, 2025 : Kelly Floro
This Is The Weirdest Depression I have Ever Experienced: Life After the AT

This Is The Weirdest Depression I have Ever Experienced: Life After the AT

I cannot begin to count the amount of times I’ve sat down and tried to write something post-trail. About the victory lap, about the devastation down south, about what going...

Dec 31, 2024 : Spark
The 2024 Appalachian Trail Thru-Hiker Survey: General Information Part 2

The 2024 Appalachian Trail Thru-Hiker Survey: General Information Part 2

Here we are again with the second installment of the 2024 Appalachian Trail Survey! This is part two of the general information. While the first general post mainly covered demographics,...

Dec 23, 2024 : Kate Richard