Hiking boots have always been the traditional footwear for backpackers. Now that backpacking technology has evolved and gear is more lightweight, hiking shoes have become more lightweight as well. I used hiking boots for the majority of the trail but made the switch to trail runners for...
What does an experienced thru-hiker have in their pack? Well, everyone has a different style, and you’ll find your own once you’re on the trail. I’ll tell you what gear I ended my hike with so you have an idea of what to shoot for. The Big Three For my hike, I went with...
During my thru-hike I started with a tent, switched to a hammock, and ended without a form of shelter. At the beginning of the trail I had a two-person, 5-pound tent. I already owned it, and I didn’t want to spend any money on a new shelter. I carried my 5-pound tent all the way...
When shopping for gear, it’s easy to get sucked into buying cool, high-tech stuff that seems like it will be very necessary. However, before you make any purchases, ask yourself, “Will I absolutely need this?” If you’re not going to use something...
AT: an abbreviation for Appalachian Trail White-blaze: the six-inch by two-inch swatches of paint on trees and rocks that mark the trail. Blue-blaze: the side trails are usually marked by blue paint. They may take you on short-cuts, side attractions, to the summit of mountains...
Hitch-hiking is a necessary part of the trail. You will need to go into towns to resupply on food. There are some towns that the trail runs right through; like Hot Springs, NC; Damascus, VA; Harpers Ferry, WV; and Dalton, MA. However, there will come a time when you are out of food and...
I wanted to talk about how great this pack is. I used the Osprey Aura 65 on my thru-hike and it did amazing. There are a few things I look for in a good pack, and this one has them all. Comfort. This is the number one thing I keep in mind when choosing a pack. If my pack is...