Learn how to hike the Appalachian Trail, how to go backpacking, hiking gear, backpacking meals and more.
Today I want to share one of my hiking fails with you. Trust me, I’ve had my fair share of failures on the trail, but my most recent one – was absolutely 100% preventable.
So I want to make sure this doesn’t happen to you! [Read more…] about Self-care Tips For Hikers
I believe having one big, or even not so big, reason to get on the Appalachian Trail will magically bring you closer to whatever it is you’re looking for out there. And that reason will also help you to keep going when the trail gets tough. [Read more…] about Why Hike The Appalachian Trail
Winter is finally here! And with it, consistently low temps – all day and all night. After my last outing, I realize there a few extra winter hiking gear items I should add to my pack. Just in case I get stuck out on the trail longer than expected. [Read more…] about 5 Winter Hiking Gear Essentials To Add To Your Pack
Many long distance hikers can be blindsided by what they experience after their hike is over. Some call it ‘post trail depression’ or post-trail blues.
I like to call it trail-sick. It’s kind of like if you’ve ever been home-sick for the comforts of home. You can also get trail-sick for the joy, freedom, and community that come with the hiker lifestyle.
Some hikers will fall into depression after their hike. Unfortunately, we don’t always have the language to talk about what we’re going through.
What we usually say is something like ‘I miss being on the trail. Like really miss it!’
Which doesn’t mean much to our friends, family, and coworkers who have not lived on the trail. [Read more…] about What Are The Post-Trail Blues Anyway?
Every year in the Spring and early Summer, it hits me like a wave; I start to see more and more posts in my news feed from thru hikers, announcing they are heading home.
After all the time planning, the effort put into preparing, and money spent on gear for an attempted thru hike, it can be devastating – emotionally and financially – to quit on the dream of thru hiking the Appalachian Trail.
[Read more…] about Why thru hikers quit the AT, and 5 tips for your success
To start off, hiking has many obvious benefits, like:
One of my favorite discoveries was the Japanese word shinrin-yoku, which can be loosely be translated to forest-bathing. Supposedly in Japan this is used as standard preventative medicine.
They have learned and embraced the fact that literally just soaking in nature on a regular basis will help maintain a healthy mind and body. And I desperately wish more Americans would hop on board with this! I think quite a few may have already, we just don’t have a common word in English to express this feeling or practice.
