Trail Days will be next weekend, May 17-19. This will be my third year going, and let me say, I absolutely love Trail Days! Here’s why: The camaraderie. If you’re new to the trail community, you’ll find it to be very welcoming. If you’ve been hiking for awhile, you’re likely to see familiar faces all … Continue reading »
Being a vegetarian on the trail isn’t nearly as difficult as you would think. I had been a vegetarian for 11 years, and I didn’t eat any meat during my thru-hike. Ironically, I started eating meat 6 months after my hike. I thought my body would struggle without enough protein, but I actually continued to … Continue reading »
This month I’ve been experiencing a sense of nostalgia for the trail that is referred to as “Springer Fever. “ The 2013 thru-hikers have begun their journey, and I’m very sad that I am not among them. This feeling occurs during the spring time and hikers find themselves longing for the Southern Terminus of the … Continue reading »
I joined Hashbrown on her thru-hike for 2 weeks in July. I had never been hiking or met HB before, so I had no idea what to expect. She was probably the best partner I could have landed because she knew what to do while with another girl. Don’ts •Complain too much. Upon starting my … Continue reading »
Every now and then, you might get bored with your usual trail dinners. When it’s time to mix it up, try this recipe for trail calzones. I made these whenever one of my hiker buddies had a birthday. What You Need: •a campfire with lots of coals •some foil (snag some from a hiker box … Continue reading »
How long does it take to do a thru-hike? The standard answer is 5-6 months, but it’s best to give yourself extra time. I started my hike on March 14th, and I originally thought I would be ending in August. I actually ended on October 3rd. It happens. So, what would cause a person to … Continue reading »
How much money do you need for a thru-hike? It’s hard to say how much you personally can get by on. I know one hiker who started with $300 and would fly signs in town asking for work. I know a different hiker that blew through $8000 and was broke by New Hampshire. I personally … Continue reading »
The first week in Georgia can be very challenging: you don’t know what you’re doing, your pack is too heavy, and the mountains are almost painful to climb. Lots of people will quit in the first 30 miles. While the first week will be physically challenging, mentally preparing yourself will help you succeed. What to … Continue reading »
When choosing clothes for the trail, try to be as selective as possible. You don’t want to have too many articles of clothing, but you want them to be sufficient. The clothes you have with you will vary, depending on the time of year. Clothes For the Whole Hike •A rain jacket. It will not … Continue reading »
There are several items that you will need for the early and late weeks of your hike that will not be necessary during the warm summer months. •A sleeping bag rated to 20 degrees or less. You can also get a sleeping bag liner and use it along with your summer sleeping bag for extra … Continue reading »
